There was no shortage of fireworks at the opening game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday evening. In the close 27:20 rematch, which remained exciting until the end, there were many highlights, but also some controversies.

One moment that drew particularly strong reactions during the game was a late hit by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith on Patrick Mahomes on the Kansas City sideline. Several Chiefs came to Mahomes’ aid while Smith held his position.

After watching his team fail at the last minute, Smith was keen to share his thoughts on the game.

The veteran defender said the extra contact was due to an alleged flop by Mahomes (he tried to exaggerate the collision to provoke a penalty).

Smith then reprimanded Peyton Hendershot — who wasn’t dressed for the game but was among those who reacted after the play many thought was foul — for apparently giving him a “little, clever shove.” The Raven added that the tight end should “take better care of himself” and “whoever he is, I’ll see him when I see him.”

Perhaps cooler heads will prevail as Smith has a chance to process another close loss to the Chiefs, but in the immediate aftermath, he appears to have no regrets at all about his hit on Mahomes, and now Hendershot appears to be on his list of enemies across the league.

Smith is lucky he didn’t get a penalty on this play. Mahomes was clearly out of bounds when the Baltimore linebacker made contact with him. The referee’s incompetence was the main reason he wasn’t penalized.

This will certainly be one of the plays the NFL reviews for possible additional violations before Week 2. It would not be a surprise if Smith receives a warning or even a fine for his punch or his postgame comments. It remains to be seen whether Hendershot will also receive a reprimand from the league for his role in the minor altercation.

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