In recent years, we’ve seen jersey exchanges become common practice in the NFL as a way to show respect to an opponent after the game. But it turns out that teams haven’t quite worked out a perfect system for claiming jerseys ahead of time.
It led to some awkwardness on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany.
Former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill made his first appearance against his ex-teammates as a member of the Dolphins, and the postgame scene predictably had Hill catching up with plenty of Chiefs players. When it came time to greet Travis Kelce, though, it seemed like both Kelce and Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman wanted Hill’s jersey for an exchange. The whole conversation was captured on mic’d-up video.
All love at the end of the day (via @NFLFilms) @cheetah pic.twitter.com/tP29dYUx8C
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2023
When Hill and Kelce were talking, Hardman joined them and said of Hill’s jersey, “I need that!” Kelce told Hardman that he already called dibs on the jersey before the game, but Hardman said he called dibs on the jersey before Hill even left Kansas City. There really needs to be a time limit on claiming jerseys for exchanges or a written system … you know, something!
Kelce did let Hardman get that jersey from Hill and said he’d get a different one from Hill instead. That’s being a good teammate right there. Everyone was happy. But that brief argument was pretty hilarious to hear unfold.
Thankfully, they reached an acceptable resolution.
