HOUSTON — Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that cornerback Kris Boyd did not pressure special teams coach Frank Ross in a “disrespectful manner” after he nearly knocked him to the ground following the opening kickoff. of the team’s divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs this past weekend.
“I don’t think he was pressuring Frank in a disrespectful way,” Ryans said. “I think it was more that he was excited, too excited, and he thought he made a play to help us. So that narrative that he’s pressuring a coach is incorrect.”
The Texans started and Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio broke his coverage, ran into the open field and ran into the end zone. Boyd caught it and fumbled the ball, ran toward the Houston bench and celebrated the fumble by ripping off his helmet and sending it to the bench.
Unfortunately for Boyd and the Texans, the Chiefs recovered the fumble.
It was a fact that Boyd only realized as he approached the sideline, after his helmet was removed and the penalty flag was thrown.
Boyd proceeded to push Ross to the bench and was ultimately penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for removing his helmet.
Boyd said after the game that he was “too emotional” 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 handle himself better to avoid costly penalties.
“He came over excited, too excited to have made a play, but we can’t lose our minds in that sense of taking our helmet off,” Ryans said. “We still have to stay prepared, right? We can’t take off our helmets in a match, everyone knows and understands the rules.”
