Why the NFL let Teair Tart stay in the game after slapping Travis Kelce?

The surprising moment during the NFL season opener match between Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers left fans and commentators questioning officiating standards.

In the game, defensive tackle Teair Tartslapped tight end Travis Kelce on the helmet after a short altercation. What made everyone confused was that the NFL allowed Tart to continue playing after it.

The incident

The fight came during the third quarter after a two-yard rush by Kareem Hunt. Tart and Kelce then got ivolved into a fight and during the course of it Tart gave an open-handed slap to Kelce’s helmet. Officials penalized Tart 15 yards for unnecessary roughness but did not send him off.

https://t.co/lqsVQwHV8X #nfl #BoltUP Teair Tart sparked the Chargers-Chiefs showdown in São Paulo with a heated exchange against Travis Kelce, then stayed in the game after an open-palmed hit was deemed not worthy of an ejection. Moments later Tart flipped the script with two key…

— QWIKET NFL (@qwiket_nfl) September 6, 2025

Former-NFL referee Terry McAulay justified the thinking: “The slap was open-handed, not a closed-fist punch, which under the rulebook does not automatically warrant ejection,” according to media outlet ‘Mirror’.

NFL Rulebook and ejection standards

NFL ejection policy dictates that a player may be ejected for punching, using abusive language, or committing two unsportsmanlike conduct behaviors. Open-handed slaps, on the other hand, are not listed, leaving the final decision up to the referees’ point of view. In this case, his view was clear.

This ambiguity in the rulebook has thrown controversy around consistency in refereeing, with several analysts wondering if Tart’s action should have been punished more severely. Which most people think it should.

Andy Reid responds to the controversy
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was angry over the call and said:  I don’t understand that rule. He definitely got hit in the head pretty hard, whether it was an open fist or a closed fist

Andy Reid
Reid also said he would request an explanation of how the league would handle such plays from now on.

Teair Tart (the dude who punched Travis Kelce last night) on IG:

“I’m too swift with it even in Brazil” pic.twitter.com/Jy9jA84GFl

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 6, 2025

Tart’s and social media responses
Following the game, Tart posted on Instagram: “I’m too swift with it even in Brazil,” referencing Kelce’s fiancée, pop star Taylor Swift, who was not in attendance. The post drew criticism from fans who perceived it as disrespectful to Kelce and the couple’s relationship.

Went to Teair Tart’s Instagram comments after he slapped Travis Kelce

The Swifties are literally a cult. pic.twitter.com/cpEY5vMk2E

— Harrison ⚡🎮 🍢 (@SinemRawr) September 6, 2025

The play has raised loopholes in the NFL rulebook and raised questions about issues of sportsmanship, player safety, and officiating consistency and transparency. Even after penalizing Tart, the refusal to send him off from the game has been questioned by multiple fans, players, and league officials.

According to experts, the NFL should review its rules for physical confrontations so that it becomes fair to everybody and safeguards players in the future.