Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce apologized during a television interview on Thursday for the harshness of critical comments he made about referee Carl Cheffers after the AFC divisional round loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The topic came up during an ESPN interview from Orlando, Fla., in preparations for Sunday's Pro Bowl.
"Carl, I apologize for saying it in that manner," Kelce said.
Kelce was fined $12,500 for his pointed remarks about Cheffers after the loss to Pittsburgh. Kelce was incensed that Cheffers called holding on offensive tackle Eric Fisher to nullify a two-point conversion that would have tied the score. The Chiefs lost 18-16.
"Ref No. 51 shouldn't even be able to wear a zebra jersey ever again," Kelce said afterward in reference to Cheffers' uniform number. "He shouldn't even be able to work at (expletive) Foot Locker."
It isn't known if Kelce has personally reached out to Cheffers to offer an apology.
Cheffers is the referee for Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
