HOUSTON — On Monday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed an incident involving cornerback Kris Boyd, who had a notable exchange with special teams coach Frank Ross during the team’s recent playoff defeat against the Chiefs. Following the opening kickoff, Boyd appeared to push Ross after a moment of excitement, which was later interpreted by some as disrespectful. However, Ryans clarified that he did not view the action in that light.

“I don’t think he was pushing Frank in a disrespectful manner,” Ryans explained. He mentioned that Boyd’s actions stemmed more from enthusiasm and a strong desire to contribute to the team, rather than an intention to show disrespect. “He was just overly fired up and thought he made a play to help us. So that narrative that he’s pushing a coach that way is incorrect,” Ryans affirmed.

In the game, Boyd had made a significant effort to halt Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio, who had broken through the Texans’ coverage and was sprinting toward the end zone. Boyd succeeded in forcing a fumble and celebrated his achievement by removing his helmet and tossing it toward the bench. However, his joy was short-lived when he realized the Chiefs had managed to recover the fumble, and that a penalty flag had been thrown during his celebration.

The incident escalated as Boyd pushed Ross aside on the sideline, leading to a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct due to his decision to take off his helmet. Post-game, Boyd expressed regret, stating that his excitement got the better of him, and he conveyed his apologies to Ross for his actions.

Despite downplaying Boyd’s push, Ryans emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in crucial moments. He remarked that while excitement is a natural reaction to making a big play, it is vital for players to stay poised in such situations. “We cannot lose our minds with actions like taking our helmets off,” Ryans admonished. “Everyone knows the rules, and we have to adhere to them to avoid unnecessary penalties.”