Mahomes: Ravens' Tucker tried 'to get under our skin'

Patrick Mahomes explained Sunday's pregame incident involving Kansas City Chiefs players and Justin Tucker, saying the Baltimore Ravens kicker was trying to "get under our skin."

While stretching, Tucker left his equipment and footballs in an area where some Chiefs players - including Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce - were warming up. A viral video shows Kelce kicking Tucker's footballs and throwing his helmet away before the AFC championship.

"I've had seven years of doing that same warmup routine, and there's only been like three occasions where there's been a kicker that wasn't ... moving out of the way," Mahomes said Tuesday on 610 Sports Radio.

"It was in Baltimore all three times."

Mahomes said he asked Tucker to move his equipment before Kelce decided to get it out of the way himself.

"(Tucker) got up and moved it I think 2 inches but didn't move it out of the way," Mahomes said. "I was going to let it slide, but Travis moved it for me, and after that, I wasn't going to let him put it back down."

Tucker addressed the incident Monday.

"I've been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never really had a problem with anybody," Tucker said, according to Ravens reporter Carita Parks.

The Baltimore kicker said he thought he moved his equipment "enough" after Mahomes' request.

"Then Travis comes over and kicks my stuff and throws my helmet," Tucker said. "I just thought it was some gamesmanship, all in good fun. But they seem to be taking it a little bit more seriously. I'm totally willing to let it all go."

Mahomes praised Tucker on Tuesday but said all he and Kelce wanted was respect from Baltimore pregame.

"I have a lot of respect for him as a player and as a kicker," the two-time NFL MVP said. "He's one of the best kickers of all time, probably the best kicker of all time. At the same time, you've got to have respect for each team. We all share the field and we try to do that in a respectful way."

Mahomes and Kelce put on a show versus the Ravens, leading the Chiefs to a 17-10 victory and sending Kansas City to its fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five seasons.