BREAKING: Travis Kelce Has Reportedly Been Fined $20 Million After Taking a Knee During the National Anthem at the Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Preseason Game, a Move That Has Permanently… See More

A shocking claim spreading across social media says Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been fined a staggering $20 million after allegedly taking a knee during the national anthem before the Chiefs’ preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But there is a major problem with the story: there is no credible evidence that it happened.

The Chiefs faced the Buccaneers in Tampa on August 22, 2026, in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. Official Chiefs coverage confirms the game took place, while recent imagery from the stadium shows Kelce present during the national anthem. There has been no credible announcement from the NFL, the Chiefs, or established sports-news organizations confirming a $20 million punishment.

The enormous figure also raises an immediate red flag. A $20 million fine would be an extraordinary NFL disciplinary action and would almost certainly generate widespread coverage from major sports outlets. Instead, the available reporting surrounding Kelce has focused on the game, his role with the Chiefs, and the team’s preparations for the 2026 season.

Interestingly, this is not the first time a fabricated story involving Kelce and the national anthem has circulated online. In August 2024, a viral post claimed that Kelce had knelt during the anthem, been ejected and received a $10 million fine. PolitiFact investigated the claim and rated it false, noting that the story originated from a satire website.

Kelce has previously been involved in discussions surrounding national-anthem protests, which may help explain why similar rumors continue to resurface. But that history does not establish that he committed the alleged act during the 2026 Buccaneers game.

As of August 24, 2026, the $20 million fine claim should therefore be treated as misinformation, not breaking news.

The real story is much less dramatic: Travis Kelce remains with the Chiefs, and the team is continuing its preseason preparations ahead of the regular season.