Chiefs GM Brett Veach Rips NFL Over Light Punishment for Teair Tart’s Hit on Travis Kelce
The Kansas City Chiefs are livid after the NFL revealed its disciplinary decision regarding Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart, who slapped Travis Kelce across the facemask during Friday night’s season opener.
Tart was flagged for a 15-yard penalty but was not ejected from the game, a move that drew instant backlash. His continued presence loomed large as the Chargers stunned Kansas City 27-21 in Brazil.
They caught the Tart slap on Travis Kelce on hot mic #Chargers #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/oW4rpBzvmM
— Jason Dill (@TRICHERATOPS_) September 6, 2025
On Saturday, the league confirmed that Tart would be fined $16,333 for the incident. For Chiefs supporters and team officials, however, the monetary punishment was nowhere near enough. Many argued the hit clearly warranted Tart’s removal from the game.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach didn’t hold back in rare public comments. “The punishment handed down to Teair Tart is far too light, and everyone saw it. Under Carl Cheffers’ crew, not only did he escape an ejection, but the entire moment reeked of unfairness,” Veach said.
He added: “If we stay silent, the NFL will keep making it harder for the Chiefs to compete the right way. And I won’t allow that.” Veach’s strong remarks underscored the growing frustration Kansas City feels with the league’s officiating standards.
During the broadcast, NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay explained that Tart wasn’t tossed because he used an open hand rather than a closed fist. But critics were quick to highlight that no such distinction actually exists in the rulebook.
The disparity only intensified anger in Kansas City, especially with the comparison to Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter, who was ejected just a night earlier for spitting at Dak Prescott. Chiefs fans see the contrast as evidence of a troubling double standard.
For Veach, this goes beyond a single fine. His comments mark a breaking point — a warning that Kansas City will not remain quiet when officiating decisions put fairness, and their star players, in jeopardy.












