Chiefs Officially Hand Down Harsh Disciplinary Action to Defensive End Over Dirty Hit on Dak Prescott in Cowboys Game

The Kansas City Chiefs have taken swift and severe internal disciplinary action following a highly controversial late hit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the recent Thanksgiving showdown.

Head Coach Andy Reid did not mince words after reviewing the footage, calling out the play as unacceptable:

"That hit was absolutely unacceptable. We are professionals, and we must play with integrity and sportsmanship. There is no room for cheap shots in this game."

His bold statement comes amid increasing scrutiny over the Chiefs’ recent string of undisciplined plays, compounding the team’s woes as they fight to stay in the playoff race.

The Hit That Sparked Outrage

The incident occurred late in the second quarter when Prescott had clearly released the football. Despite the play being over, a Chiefs defensive player charged in and leveled the QB well after the whistle — a textbook case of unnecessary roughness.

Should this have been a flag for roughing the passer? Dak was asking for one pic.twitter.com/1SB3HPSZGO

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 27, 2025

Though no penalty was called on the field, slow-motion replays revealed the severity of the hit. NFL insiders now believe the league is also reviewing the play and may issue a separate fine for violating quarterback protection rules.

Player Identified: Rookie DE Faces Heavy Internal Sanction

The Chiefs have confirmed that the defender responsible for the late hit was rookie defensive end Ashton Gillotte, a 2024 third-round draft pick. While Gillotte has shown flashes of potential this season, his lack of judgment in this moment could prove costly.

In a rare move, the Chiefs’ front office has imposed a strict internal punishment, including:

• $50,000 team fine – one of the largest internal fines issued this season.

This punishment sends a strong message that the franchise values discipline and respect above all, even in the heat of competition.

Troubling Trend for the Chiefs

This latest incident only adds to a growing list of discipline-related issues for Kansas City:

• OT Kingsley Suamataia was fined $8,108 by the NFL last week for a dangerous blindside block.

The Chiefs now sit at 6–6, sliding to 9th place in the AFC standings, with only a 39% chance of making the playoffs. It’s a stunning fall from grace for a team that, under Patrick Mahomes, has never missed the postseason.

Even Mahomes admitted after the Cowboys loss:

“We can beat anyone… but we can also lose to anyone. That’s the problem.”

Final Thoughts

The Chiefs are making it clear: reckless behavior will not be tolerated. With five critical games remaining, discipline and accountability could be the difference between a playoff push and an early vacation.