"Dumbest thing I've ever seen": Jason and Travis Kelce slam NFL referees

J ason and Travis Kelce have joined the growing criticism of NFL officials after a controversial call against New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo during the team's Week 7 victory over the Houston Texans .

The incident became a talking point on the latest episode of the brothers' New Heights podcast, where the former Philadelphia Eagles centre and Kansas City Chiefs tight end discussed the unnecessary roughness penalty handed to Skattebo .

The Giants running back was penalised in the first quarter after lowering his helmet into Texans safety M.J. Stewart while attempting to gain additional yards. Officials ruled that he had initiated contact with the crown of his helmet, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and wiping out a seven-yard gain.

Travis admitted that he struggled to understand precisely what the officials had seen.

“I just don’t get it, man,” the Chiefs tight end said. “… Was it the crown of the helmet thing? Had to be, right?”

Jason was considerably less restrained in his response, questioning the decision and expressing frustration with the way the league applies its rules.

“That’s the [expletive] dumbest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen. It’s [expletive] stupid,” declared the Philadelphia Eagles legend.

“Yeah, that sucks,” Travis Kelce agreed.

The discussion reflects a wider debate about how running backs are expected to protect themselves while also avoiding dangerous helmet contact. Skattebo is known for his physical approach, regularly using his strength to break tackles and drive through defenders.

Why Cam Skattebo's penalty has caused such a reaction

The call was particularly contentious because the contact occurred during a conventional running play, with Skattebo lowering his body as he prepared to meet Stewart.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh also questioned the decision immediately after it happened, arguing that the league needed to consider the physical demands placed on running backs.

Harbaugh subsequently explained that avoiding all head movement during contact is difficult for a player carrying the ball low to the ground. He wanted greater clarity from the NFL about how the rule should be interpreted in situations like this.

Skattebo himself was not prepared to change his playing style simply because of the penalty.

After the game, he expressed frustration with what he viewed as inconsistent treatment of his physical running, suggesting he would accept the consequences rather than stop playing aggressively.

The NFL's rules prohibit players from using the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with an opponent. The intention is to reduce the risk of serious head and neck injuries, protecting both the player delivering the contact and the opponent.

However, the Skattebo incident has raised questions about how that rule should be applied when a running back is bracing for a tackle.

Despite the controversial moment, the Giants went on to secure an impressive 27-21 overtime victory in Houston. Skattebo finished with a career-best 124 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while his 42-yard run in overtime helped put New York in position for the decisive score.

The penalty therefore did not prevent the Giants from leaving Houston with the win, but it has continued to attract attention in the days since the game.

The NFL could still review the play when considering potential disciplinary action. Skattebo has previously faced scrutiny over his use of the helmet, making the league's eventual decision particularly relevant to how he approaches future games.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have their own priorities after suffering their first defeat of the season in Week 7, losing 20-3 to the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks. Kansas City fell to 5-1 but remains in contention at the top of the AFC West.

Travis and his teammates will now look to respond against division rivals the Denver Broncos. Jason, meanwhile, has made his position on the Skattebo decision unmistakably clear: he believes the officials got it badly wrong.