Andy Reid defends Travis Kelce sparking firestorm with “Free 4” shirt

The Kansas City Chiefs are already facing questions after dropping to 0-2 with Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and now they’re dealing with backlash that has nothing to do with football.

Before kickoff, several Chiefs players,  led by star tight end Travis Kelce, were seen wearing “Free 4” shirts in support of suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice. The 25-year-old is serving a league suspension after pleading guilty to felony charges tied to a reckless highway crash this offseason. The gesture immediately ignited controversy, with many calling it insensitive to those injured in the incident.

Reid stands behind his players

Head coach Andy Reid didn’t shy away when asked about the shirts. Instead, he leaned into the team’s loyalty to Rice.

“I know these guys love Rashee and they feel for him sitting out here,” Reid told reporters. “It’s nothing more than that. They love the kid and want him to feel like he’s still part of this team.”

Kelce hasn’t publicly addressed the criticism, though fans are already speculating he and his brother Jason could bring it up on their “New Heights” podcast later this week.

Chiefs feeling the absence of Rice

On the field, the Chiefs are clearly missing Rice’s production. The third-year receiver showed promise in 2023 with nearly 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns, but injuries limited him last year and now suspension has kept him out entirely in 2025.

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Kansas City’s problems are compounded by the loss of Xavier Worthy, who suffered a season-ending labrum tear in Week 1. With Patrick Mahomes running out of proven targets, the Chiefs’ offense has looked far less explosive than fans are used to.

What’s next for KC?

The noise around the Chiefs doesn’t look like it’s slowing down. Kansas City will try to quiet critics when they face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, but for now, the conversation is about much more than wins and losses.

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