HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that cornerback Kris Boyd did not push special teams coach Frank Ross in a “disrespectful” manner after nearly pushing him to the ground after the team’s kickoff. divisional playoff loss to Chiefs last weekend.
Ryans said after the game that he didn’t see the surge until talking about it Monday.
“I don’t think he was pushing Frank in a disrespectful way,” Ryans said. “I think it was more because he was excited, too excited and thought he made a play to help us. So this narrative that he’s pushing a coach – that’s incorrect.
The Texans kicked off and Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio had broken through their coverage, hitting the open field and running toward the end zone. Boyd caught it and snatched the ball, ran toward the Houston sideline and celebrated the fumble by ripping off his helmet and sending it toward the bench.
Unfortunately for Boyd and the Texans, the Chiefs recovered the fumble.
It’s a fact Boyd didn’t realize until he approached the sideline, removed his helmet and the penalty flag was thrown.
Boyd started pushing Ross to the sidelines and was ultimately flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for removing his helmet.
Boyd said after the match that he was “just too excited” and apologized to Ross for letting his emotions get the best of him.
Although Ryans downplayed Boyd’s pressure on Ross, he reiterated Monday that the sixth-year pro needs to perform better to avoid costly penalties.
“He came in with the excitement, too excited to have played, but we can’t lose our minds in that sense of taking our helmet off,” Ryans said. “We still have to stay calm, don’t we.” You cannot take your helmet off during a match, everyone knows and understands the rules.
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