The NFL has decided to rescind a $25,000 fine previously imposed on Houston Texans' standout, Will Anderson Jr. The decision came on the same day that Joe Mixon received favorable news regarding his own fine. The fines were originally handed out after both players made postgame comments following their teams' playoff losses to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Anderson’s postgame comments spark fine
After the Texans' defeat to the Chiefs, Will Anderson Jr. made a controversial remark about the officiating, saying,
We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into the game.
His comments were met with backlash, resulting in the NFL issuing a fine. However, it was clear that the league was reconsidering the situation after the fine was rescinded.
Penalty on Anderson for Mahomes hit
One of the key moments that led to the fine was a penalty called on Anderson for a hit on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during a critical third-and-8 play. The penalty allowed Kansas City to extend their drive and eventually score a field goal.
Despite the penalty, the NFL did not fine Anderson for the hit itself, indicating that officials may have made an error in throwing the flag. This move by the league seems to suggest that Anderson’s comment about the officials was not entirely unfounded.
A positive development for Will Anderson Jr. and Joe Mixon
The rescinding of Anderson’s fine is seen as a significant win for the young linebacker, who had been vocal about what he perceived as poor officiating during the game. Both Anderson and Mixon can now move forward without the financial penalty, which highlights the NFL’s willingness to reassess situations when new information comes to light.
With the fine removed, Will Anderson Jr. can focus on preparing for next season, while the league’s decision could spark a larger conversation about officiating consistency in the postseason. The NFL’s actions signal a level of responsiveness when it comes to contentious penalties, especially in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.