Justin Tucker: Pregame Exchange with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Not a 'Big Deal'

After a pregame run-in with Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce before Sunday's AFC Championship Game, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker thinks people have been blowing the situation out of proportion.

"I find it kind of silly that we're even having to address it or talk about something that happened before the game that I really don't see as a big deal," Tucker told reporters. "I think you can just see the whole interaction and then you see us at the coin toss, we're all dapping each other up and then we just get on with the football game."

Tucker and Mahomes happened to be working in the same warmup area prior to Sunday's game. Video showed Kelce throwing Tucker's helmet and kicking balls out of Mahomes' way. Mahomes also tossed Tucker's holding tee away from the area, though Tucker appeared to be amused by the interactions.

Tucker further explained on Monday that he didn't think either side truly had an issue with one another during the interaction.

"I've been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never really had a problem with anybody. That's just kinda the way we've always done it, the way kickers around the league have always done it. I saw Patrick there trying to warm up and get some dropbacks. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet. I happily got up and I moved my helmet out of the way — at least I thought it was enough out of the way. And then Travis comes over and just kicks my stuff, throws my helmet. I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun but hey seemed to be taking it a little more seriously."

The Ravens went on to suffer a 17-10 loss in front of their home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium, which ended their season in disappointing fashion after they had finished with the best record in the NFL.