KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs officials continuing investigate two separate incidents during Monday night’s game against Washington involving alleged fan behavior involving racial slurs and a Confederate flag.
Washington wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. alleged in a post to his Instagram account that he heard a racial slur directed toward him several times during the game.
“Being called a —— several times to the point where an NFL employee had to step to me and stand by me the whole game from 2nd quarter on is the exact reason why guys are kneeling during the national anthem,” Pryor wrote. “I chose not to knee because as a team we decided to be one and stand … but as I walked in tunnel hearing some one call me a —— and say F you to me. Me flicking the person off is more deserving. I do apologize to my teammates and the organization. But at some point you keep calling us the N word, we going to start acting up.”
A club official says the team is investigating the incidence. The team encourages any fans who witnessed racial slurs used during the game or have video of any incidents to share it with them. The team says it has no corroborating evidence at this time.
The NFL has not acknowledged that a league employee witness the incident involving Pryor. The league also has not disclosed if an employee accompanied Pryor during the game. The Washington Post quoted NFL spokesperson Joe Lockhart as saying the league is investigating the matter.
“We are looking into this, all aspects of it,” the paper quote league spokesperson Joe Lockhart as saying in a conference call. The league communication office did not respond to email request from ChiefsDigest.com.
Another incident before Monday night’s game is also drawing attention of Chiefs officials.
Master Tesfatsion, a Washington beat writer for The Washington Post, posted on Twitter a photograph from the pregame tailgate of a Confederate flag waving in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot.
Walking around the Chiefs tailgate scene. One group hanging a Confederate flag that says “I Ain’t Coming Down” on it pic.twitter.com/QX02e6EY7G
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) October 2, 2017
The club’s Twitter accounted posted a reply asking Tesfatsion for the location of the flag.
The Chiefs Fan Code of Conduct says fans must refrain from certain behaviors. That includes using foul or abusive language or obscene gestures and behavior that detracts from the day-of-event enjoyment of fellow guests.
Club officials says that any fan uttering a racial slur would be ejected from the game and face a possible ban from future games.
It is not clear, however, if displaying the Confederate flag violates the team’s Fan Code of Conduct.
Jim Rowland, executive director of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, said the Chiefs hold control over security of the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot on game days. But he said the JCSCA maintains offensive language and divisive symbols such as the Confederate flag have no place at Chiefs games.
“Our position would be clear; under no circumstance do we believe offensive comments, racial slurs, violence or offensive and divisive symbols such as the Confederate flag have a place at the Truman Sports Complex,” Rowland said.
The team says it continues investigating both incidents.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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