Houston Texans cornerback Kris Boyd has addressed the shocking incident that unfolded during his team's National Football League (NFL) playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Boyd's actions left fans and commentators stunned as he was seen shoving special teams coach Frank Ross on the sidelines, moments after an emotional outburst following a kickoff return.
The shocking incident: a heated moment on the sidelines
The incident occurred during the opening play of the game, with Boyd visibly upset after the Texans gave up a 63-yard kickoff return. As Boyd rushed to the sidelines, he ripped off his helmet and stormed towards Ross, who was coaching special teams.
In an uncharacteristic move, Boyd shoved Ross, almost knocking him over. The defensive back’s actions were met with disbelief from fans and media alike, sparking immediate calls for Boyd to be cut from the team.
Boyd speaks out: 'I got too excited'
In the aftermath of the incident, Boyd finally spoke out, explaining his behaviour. According to Boyd, the outburst was a result of his excitement, not intentional disrespect. "I got too excited," Boyd admitted. "I did something I shouldn't have. Learning from it, keep my helmet on."
Boyd also made it clear that he has a deep respect for Coach Ross, emphasizing that the incident was out of character for him. "I love Frank. I love everybody here. I love my coaches. I never disrespect anybody," he said. Boyd also confirmed that he apologized to his teammates and coaches, with Ross reportedly telling him, "Don’t worry about that."
Coach DeMeco Ryans' response to the incident
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the incident after the game, labelling Boyd’s actions as "silly." However, Ryans did not seem to believe the situation was a major issue, stating that he did not see the shove. "What I saw is we can't come out on the first play and throw our helmet," Ryans said. "That's not what we teach. That's not what we're about at all. It just puts the team in a negative light."
Ryans was referring to Boyd’s helmet toss, which resulted in a costly 15-yard penalty, further complicating the Texans’ already difficult defensive stance. The penalty came right after the Texans had given up a big return and allowed a Chiefs field goal, though they managed to hold Kansas City to just three points on their first drive.
A tough playoff loss for the Texans
Despite the early missteps, the Texans’ defence held strong, limiting the Chiefs to a field goal following the penalty. However, the Texans were unable to recover from the setback, and Kansas City ultimately triumphed 23-14, advancing to the AFC Championship game. With the defeat, Houston’s season came to a close, while the Chiefs continued their bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.