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NFL Announces Punishment For Texans Player Who Shoved Coach

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 6:20 PM ET

During last Saturday's opening kickoff between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, cornerback Kris Boyd took off his helmet and shoved his own coach on the sideline.

ESPN's cameras caught Boyd shoving Texans special teams coach Frank Ross awfully hard after picking up a costly penalty. It was a moment that had many people questioning the former seventh-round pick's integrity. After the team's 23-14 loss, he tried his best to shut down any concerns about his character.

"That’s not in my character. I love everybody here. I love my coaches. I never disrespect anybody," Boyd said. "I love Frank, I’m a God-fearing man, I respect everybody. It was a little 10-second thing that happened. It’s football. I never disrespect anybody. That’s not my character."

Whether it's in his character or not, the reality is Boyd won't escape a fine from the NFL.

On Saturday, the NFL handed out an $8,056 fine to Boyd for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, this isn't because he shoved Ross on the sideline. It's because he threw his helmet off while on the field.

The NFL fined #Texans CB Kris Boyd $8,056 for unsportsmanlike conduct — throwing his helmet after the opening kickoff, leading to a sideline confrontation with special teams coordinator Frank Ross in last week’s playoff loss at Kansas City.

pic.twitter.com/6u2NYF38Hv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2025

Boyd owned up to his mistake during his postgame media availability.

"I was just too excited, and did something I shouldn’t have done," he said. "Keep my helmet on. I got the ball out. And as I’m getting up, I look at the screen, I see nothing but white, and they’re all pointing that way. So I was like, oh yeah, we got the ball, too."

We're not sure if Texans fans are ready to forgive him, but they have to appreciate his honesty.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Kris Boyd #17 of the Houston Texans walks across the field during an NFL football game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 31, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Boyd was on a one-year contract with the Texans, so there's no guarantee he'll be back in Houston next season.

The Texans have already made a few changes to their coaching staff this offseason, parting ways with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

It wouldn't shock us at all if the Texans move on from Boyd and a few other role players.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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