Kadarius Toney's bonehead penalty kept Travis Kelce from saving Chiefs

Celeb Gist

Kadarius Toney robbed football fans and the Chiefs of a spectacular play all in one fell swoop late in Kansas City’s loss to the Bills. 

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Toney combined for what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown with 1:12 left in the game and the Chiefs down 20-17.

But because of a penalty on Toney, the play was called back and the Bills ended up hanging on for the win. 

Mahomes had found an open Travis Kelce downfield for a pass and then the star tight end had the wherewithal to lateral the ball back to Toney, who had an open lane to the end zone. 

Arrowhead Stadium erupted, but the jubilation was quickly replaced by disappointment thanks to Toney.

The ex-Giant was flagged for lining up in the neutral zone, negating the touchdown and forcing the officials to call back the highlight reel play. 

Travis Kelce laterals to Kadarius Toney during the Chiefs-Bills game on Dec. 10, 2023. AP

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” an astonished Tony Romo said on the CBS broadcast. 

“These receivers can’t get out of the way of hurting the team. Too many times at the end of the game,” he added. 

A replay showed Toney’s foot very clearly in the neutral zone, making it tough for the officials not to call it. 

CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore explained as much as during the broadcast. 

Kadarius Toney was lined up in the neutral zone. Screengrab/CBS

“It’s not a play that you want to spit hairs with, but when he is that clearly in the neutral zone, you have to call that play. He’s lined up offsides,” Steratore said. 

Referee Carl Cheffers, in a pool report, explained the decision-making.

“Ultimately, they are responsible for wherever they line up,” Cheffers said. “No warning is required, especially if they are lined up so far offsides where they’re actually blocking our view of the ball. We would give them a warning if it was anywhere close, but this particular one is beyond a warning.”

That explanation won’t make the Chiefs any happier though.

“Normally if it’s even close, you get a warning. The head coach gets a warning,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I mean, I didn’t have a protractor out there, but that’s a bit embarrassing. I’ve been in the league a long time and I haven’t had one like that.” 

Mahomes going ballistic on the sideline and having to be restrained at one point. 

“Let us play the game. Then whatever happens happens,” Mahomes said after the game, per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. “That’s why last week, I didn’t say anything. Let us play. You want it to be about your team and their team — and see what happens. I want to go play… then see what happens at the end. Then, I can live with the results.

“The flag today was tough. Offensive offsides. You point to the ref, you’re good or not good. You have a discussion. That’s the ref’s job. For him to throw that flag, no explanation or anything. I saw the picture. He’s barely offsides. It didn’t affect the play at all. At all.”

Kadarius Toney runs with the ball before his touchdown was called back. AP

It negated what would have been one of the more unusual plays in NFL history.

“As the play unfolded,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said, “Kelce got wide open. The play after he caught the ball, I’ve never seen a play like that in the NFL. But I saw the referees signaling that direction. I didn’t know if it was a pick or what. It turned out to be offside.”

One group of fans that may not show Toney too much sympathy are Giants fans. 

Toney has trolled the team since he was traded to Kansas City last season after an acrimonious end to his disappointing tenure with the Giants.

He was taken 20th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Giants.

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