The Kansas City Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions and one of their key stars, tight end Travis Kelce, contributed to the win in a big way with nine catches for 93 yards, including some clutch plays down the stretch.

Even though he played well in the second half, he was frustrated by his and his team’s first-half performance. Kelce ended up yelling in the face of head coach, Andy Reid following a fumble by running back, Isiah Pacheco. He startled Reid by the way he grabbed him and bumped into him catching him off balance.

It was not a good look. As a result, there was plenty of discussion and fallout from the incident and most would agree a player shouldn’t act like that or treat the head coach that way.

At the same time, some people made excuses for Kelce, appreciated his passion, and justified why he would react that way.

Andy Reid chose to show him grace and after the game said, “He was emotional today. I’ve got five kids, and I know how that goes. The part that I love is that he loves to play the game, and he wants to help his team win.”

That’s a kind response, but not one that holds Kelce accountable or to a higher standard.

Amid all the different responses to Kelce’s emotional confrontation, the one I want to focus on came from Travis’ brother and co-host on their podcast, New Heights, Jason Kelce.

He told Travis on the show, “You crossed the line. I think we can both agree on that. Let’s be honest, the yelling in his face, too, is over the top. I think there are better ways to handle this, retrospectively.”

I appreciate Jason’s willingness to call his brother out and hold him accountable instead of just laughing it off or justifying it. Thankfully, they have a close and honest relationship that allows them to communicate in this way.

Kelce ultimately admitted on the show that it was “definitely unacceptable” and explained, “I can’t get that fired up to the point where bumping Coach and it’s getting him off balance and stuff.”

Yes, it’s football and emotions are high, but good for both Kelce brothers to have a genuine conversation and acknowledge it wasn’t the right way to respond to frustration.

In our own lives, there are times we, too, “cross the line” and the question is, do we have people in our corner who are willing to be truthful and tell us, “I think there are better ways to handle this”?

As followers of Jesus who desire to live holy lives and become more like Him, we need relationships with people built on love and trust. It’s important for them to willingly help us identify our sins and walk with us in repentance.

We can also do the same for them. It’s not about being judgmental and critical but in kindness pushing each other toward spiritual growth and maturity.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:1 (AMP), “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.”

Hebrews 3:13 (NLT) gives us this challenge: “You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”

Today, let’s be encouraged to embrace community and authentic relationships. As followers of Jesus, let’s listen to those we love and trust when they call us out for sin in our lives and offer us Biblical advice.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV) tells us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that in humility I willingly invite people into my life who speak the truth in love. I pray that You’ll empower the people I trust to point out the sins in my life and that I have a willingness to listen to their Biblical advice. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.