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Chargers' Tony Jefferson Ejected After Brutal Hit on Chiefs WR

Ryan Phillips

Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected for a helmet to helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected for a helmet to helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyquan Thornton. / Via CBS
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Tempers flared during the Chiefs’ matchup with the Chargers on Sunday.

Early in the fourth quarter, Kansas City faced third-and-5 on its own 49-yard line, while trailing 16-13. Patrick Mahomes dropped back and unleashed a dart that landed in the hands of receiver Tyquan Thornton for a 21-yard gain. At the end of the play, Los Angeles safety Tony Jefferson unleashed a hard, helmet-to-helmet hit on Thornton.

Officials immediately threw a flag for unnecessary roughness, as Thornton remained down on the field. The Chiefs took exception to the hit, and the two sides were on the verge of a brawl.

Video of the hit is below.

After the officials got together, Jefferson was ejected for the hit, as it was considered to be a dangerous hit to the head and neck area.

Video of the post-hit confrontation is below.

Thornton left the game and did not return.

The Chiefs couldn’t take advantage of the gain and penalty tacked on top of it. Three plays later, Mahomes threw an interception at L.A.’s one-yard line to end the drive.

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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.

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