Brotherhood or Bad Look?

  Several UMKC students weighed in on the controversial “Free 4” tee worn by several Chiefs players before the Super Bowl rematch at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14. 

  Travis Kelce and other teammates wore the flashy graphic tee in support of the Chiefs star wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is currently facing a six-game suspension by the NFL. 

  On March 30, 2024, Rice caused a six-car accident on a Dallas freeway while street racing at speeds up to 119 mph. The incident left two seriously injured as Rice fled the scene without making an effort to help the victims. Rice turned himself in nine days later. 

“In the first place, he got off easy.” said Sofia Sarris, a senior math major. “I get that Kelce thinks he’s supporting his teammate, but he lives on the public stage.” says Sarris. “The shirt could be seen as condoning Rashee’s behavior which is a bad message to fans.”

  Rice pleaded guilty on two third-degree felony charges: Collision involving serious injury and racing on a highway causing bodily harm. He was sentenced to 30 days of jail time and five years probation. 

  The decision to wear the shirts has sparked discourse from the media and UMKC students alike.

  “I’m tired of rich celebrities getting away with crimes that normal people don’t,” said junior finance major Jason Banuelas. “It’s a bad look. When you have that platform, you should be speaking against people going 120 and fleeing the scene. Let’s stop making it look like that’s okay.”

  “Its one thing for the Patriots to have been so good, but they also had character,” said senior health science major Elijah Strout. “This just lacks of it, it’s a lack of character.”

In a press conference Monday following the game, Head Coach Andy Reid was asked about the shirts. “I know these guys love Rashee and they feel for him sitting out there. And so I think it’s no more than that.” said Reid. Rice played a pivotal role in Kansas City’s Superbowl LVIII winning season- catching 79 passes as a rookie. 

 “I guess if you wanna wear the T-shirt, wear the T-shirt but it’s not going to change the outcome.” says junior communications major Taylor Griffin, who was at the game.

If one thing is clear, the shirt was not a good luck charm for the team. The Chiefs went on to lose 20-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions.

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