Controversial NFL player who slapped Travis Kelce hits opposing quarterback with another cowardly hit

September 17, 2025, 11:55 AM (GMT+7)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers nose tackle Teair Tart’s popularity continues to fade in the AFC West. One week after striking Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce across the facemask, the 315-pound NFL journeyman now faces accusations of a late hit on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. And, as in Week 1, Tart escaped an initial penalty for the clear infraction.

The latest incident unfolded late in the third quarter of the Chargers’ 20-9 victory over the Raiders in Las Vegas on Monday night. Tart managed to get past Las Vegas left guard Dylan Parham on the play, but only after Smith had released the ball downfield. Ignoring whether Smith still had the ball, Tart shoved the veteran quarterback to the turf with his right arm, prompting a wave of boos from Allegiant Stadium fans who saw it as a late hit.

Though no flag was thrown, Tart could face repercussions for this hit, much like he did last week for the Kelce incident. In Week 1, during the Chargers’ win over the Chiefs in São Paulo, Tart delivered an open-handed slap to Kelce’s helmet—an action that avoided ejection since it wasn’t a closed fist. The NFL fined him $12,172 for the play.

Afterward, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed frustration over the no-call. “I don’t understand that rule,” Reid told reporters. “I guess it’s open-hand, fist, whatever, I don’t know. I don’t know what their decision was on that. But he definitely got hit in the head pretty hard.” When asked if he’d seek clarification from the NFL, Reid replied, “I’ll work out that with the league. I can’t get into all that.”

Kelce, appearing unharmed, shrugged off the hit and appealed to the referees without showing anger. Meanwhile, Tart later mocked the incident on social media, posting a scene from the Chappelle Show where Rick James slaps Charlie Murphy, taunting the angry Swifties flooding his inbox.