Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart was fined by the NFL for slapping Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in Week 1, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
The fine for a first offense of striking is $12,172, via Rhim.
In the third quarter of Los Angeles’ season-opening 27-21 win over Kansas City, Kelce shoved Tart following a run by Kareem Hunt. Tart responded by slapping Kelce’s helmet, which resulted in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.
Tart, who finished the game with two passes defended and one tackle, discussed the play following the win.
“Just being passionate in the moment,” Tart said, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s nothing but fun, competitive spirit.”
The 28-year-old wasn’t ejected from the game because he made open-hand contact with Kelce. If Tart hit the tight end with a closed first, it would have warranted a disqualification.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was confused by the rule.
“I don’t understand that rule,” Reid said Monday, per Rhim. “I guess it’s open-hand, fist, whatever, I don’t know. I don’t know what their decision was on that. But he definitely got hit in the head pretty hard, whether it was an open fist or a closed fist.”
Tart’s latest fine is only the second of his career, via Spotrac. He was previously fined $33,529 for unsportsmanlike conduct as a member of the Tennessee Titans during the 2020 season.
The Chargers handed Tart a one-year deal worth $5.5 million in March after he spent the 2024 season with the team. He racked up 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and one sack in 17 games while operating in a rotational role on Los Angeles’ defensive line.
The Chargers and Chiefs will face off again in Week 15 on Dec. 14.
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