Eric Bieniemy: Chiefs Have “Bigger Fish to Fry” Than Sideline Spat with Travis Kelce
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy struck a conciliatory tone On Thursday towards tight end Travis Kelce on Thursday following their sideline dustup against the Colts Sunday night, yet he also said players should never cross the line by putting their hands on a coach.
“Of course,” Bieniemy said. “That goes without saying. But when it's all said and done with, we keep it moving. Trav is a hell of a kid. He's a great kid, he's a beautiful kid. Those things happen. We continue to roll.”
Bieniemy's comments on the incident came one day after Kelce said he regretted the incident immediately after it happened. Television cameras caught the exchange, which concluded with Kelce shoving the offensive coordinator. Kelce feels he and Bieniemy are “wired a little bit the same” when it comes to their competitive edge, a point on which Bieniemy seems to agree.
“I do this because I love it, I'm very passionate, I enjoy what I do,” Bieniemy said. “I love all my players. Trav is one of the top players that I've been fortunate and blessed to coach. But also too, he's a very passionate individual, and so am I.”
Bieniemy decline to elaborate on the incident between the two, but showed an interest in moving forward and putting the episode behind them.
“Now, for whatever reason, whatever happened took place,” Bieniemy said. “At the end of the day, we keep it moving because we got other bigger fish to fry. We've got an opponent that we need to go out and play against this week and that's the focus, that's the mindset.”
Bieniemy carries a reputation as a coach who demands high expectations from his players. He also things happened on the football field that sometimes players and coaches have to let go of and move on to what's next.
“We all wear our feelings on our sleeves, but when it's all said and done with, the only thing that we're here to do is to accomplish of being the best,” Bieniemy said. “And being the best is just focusing on the very next play, and that's all that matters.”
