Chargers safety Derwin James has spent his entire NFL career in Los Angeles. He knows what it’s like to go up against the Chiefs, and he knows what it’s like to match up with Travis Kelce.
He shouldn’t expect to get many favorable calls against the Chiefs, especially the borderline ones at Arrowhead.
But hey, it didn’t hurt to ask.
The Chargers released some mic’d-up footage from Kansas City’s division-clinching game on Sunday night, and one sequence was particularly great. James was matched up with Kelce as the Chiefs tight end made some contact before picking up space on the route. James immediately shouted to the officials, asking for penalty.
Kelce wasn’t going to deny what he did either.
Derwin James: “He pushed, come on ref.”
Travis Kelce: “Hell yeah I did … you know my routes.”
Via @chargers pic.twitter.com/rDJk5qbsC5
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) December 10, 2024
When James told the officials that Kelce had pushed him, Kelce responded, “Hell yeah, I did … you know my routes.”
And let’s be honest, there wasn’t much of a push at all — at least from that video. But even as James complained, Kelce managed to show some respect to James. Classic Travis right there.