Travis Kelce is among those who have been condemned after wearing a pre-match shirt in support of his banned Kansas City Chiefs teammate.
The Kansas City Chiefs continued their disappointing start to the season as they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in a repeat of last year's Super Bowl. But much of the attention before kick-off was not on the game itself, but the players' clothing as they paid tribute to Rashee Rice.
Rice is currently serving a six-game ban after he was convicted for his role in a multi-vehicle clash in March 2024. As a result, he has missed both the season opener in Sao Paulo against the Los Angeles Chargers and the recent defeat to the Eagles.
Before Sunday's game, both Kelce and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton wore t-shirts featuring multiple images of Rice alongside the words, 'Free 4,' which is the jersey that he wears.
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The move caused outrage among NFL fans on social media.
On X, @realjeffsimmons wrote: "This is so embarrassing. What a bad look."
@_Zeets added: "I need to know the behind the scenes conversation that led to this team deciding to frame Rice as a victim after he drove 119 mph into a median and caused a seven car accident — and was only suspended six weeks.
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"Even if you think something so silly, why make and wear this shirt?"
Despite the online backlash, head coach Andy Reid did not publicly criticise their decision. He told The Athletic: "'I would tell you, the guys love Rashee, and they feel for him sitting out here. And so I think it's no more than that.
"I just think that those guys, they love the kid and want them to feel part of it in their own way. I really don't think it's anything more than that."
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Rice was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges and received a deferred adjudication on a 30-day prison sentence.
The NFL suspension is without pay and he is also not allowed train with his team while he serves the ban.
He will not be eligible to return to the field until Week 7 when the Chiefs face the Las Vegas Raiders.
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After he was sentenced, Rice issued a public apology to those that had been impacted by the crash.
He said: "There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole."
Topics: American Football, NFL, Travis Kelce
James Taylor