Tony Romo Blasts Travis Kelce Penalty as ‘Worst Call of the Year’

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A seemingly harmless whistle ended up hurting the Chiefs on Sunday.

In a critical must-win matchup against the Colts, Kansas City was trailing 20-17 and driving down the field, hoping for a late-game score to tie or take the lead—until tight end Travis Kelce was flagged for a questionable offensive pass interference call.

“This is the worst call I’ve seen all year. Literally the worst call I’ve seen all year,” Tony Romo said on the CBS broadcast after Kareem Hunt gained six yards on a short pass to start the drive. “He’s being covered. They’re going to say he’s moving around. They think he’s blocking 53. He’s not. He goes into his own man, who’s guarding him, and they call pass interference on him.”

Tony Romo called this OPI on Travis Kelce "the worst call I have seen all year" 😳 pic.twitter.com/yVQxKd6OBd

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 23, 2025

The call wiped out Hunt’s six-yard gain, ruling it offensive pass interference on Kelce, and was enforced half the distance to the goal—leaving the Chiefs pinned at their own three-yard line, facing a first-and-13 with 4:43 left in regulation.

Romo, who has faced plenty of criticism in recent years, was stunned by the penalty.

“That is ridiculous, wow,” Romo said. “That happens on almost every play if you’re pressing someone. I think they thought he hit the other guy first… and now 13 yards back at…”

Referees made a controversial penalty call against the Chiefs, who were flagged seven times for 57 yards, while the Colts committed 11 infractions for 83 yards.

After the penalty, Travis Kelce accepted responsibility, but Tony Romo disagreed that the tight end should shoulder the blame.

Despite the setback, the Chiefs rallied, driving down the field for a game-tying field goal and eventually securing an overtime victory. Kansas City had trailed for much of the game, entering the fourth quarter down 20-9, before mounting a dramatic comeback that could prove pivotal for their season.

With the win, the Chiefs improved to 6-5, remaining just one game out of a wild-card spot. The Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars currently occupy the three wild-card positions at 7-4, setting up a fierce battle to the finish in the AFC.