Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy hit with penalty after touchdown, sparks fan frenzy

The Kansas City Chiefs started early in their Christmas Day game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday afternoon.

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught a 7-yard touchdown pass Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs went up 6-0.

Worthy appeared to celebrate the Christmas theme with his teammates, then lifted his shirt.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates his touchdown with Hollywood Brown (5) during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

NFL officials fined Worthy for the play. But fans were confused as to why the flag was thrown. Some have suggested that Worthy may have been pretending to have a gun pointed at him. Weapons-themed celebrations have been a point of contention among players.

Mahomes threw his second touchdown pass of the game, an 11-yarder to wide receiver Justin Watson, later in the first quarter.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

The Chiefs have struggled all season, but still went 14-1 heading into Week 17 vs Steelers.

Worthy has been a bright spot for a receiving corps decimated by injuries. He has 51 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns this season. He also has three runs scored.

Last week, Worthy had seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans. It was the second week in a row that he got double-digit targets. Before the game against the Cleveland Browns, he had not had more than eight targets in one game.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Kansas City will maintain home court advantage throughout the playoffs with a win.

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