Houston Texans Running Back Joe Mixon Exonerated from False Allegations and Fines
Background:
Following the Houston Texans’ divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh made derogatory comments on social media about officiating during the game. These comments were falsely attributed to Texans running back Joe Mixon.
Initial NFL Fine:
Based on the false attribution, the NFL initially fined Mixon $25,000 in late January. The fine cited Houshmandzadeh’s comments as evidence of Mixon’s public criticism of officiating.
Mixon’s Appeal:
Mixon and his agent, Peter Schaffer, vehemently denied the allegations and filed an appeal. They presented evidence that Mixon was not responsible for Houshmandzadeh’s statements.
NFL Rescinds Fine:
After reviewing the evidence, NFL hearing officer Chris Palmer concluded that Mixon did not make the controversial comments attributed to him. Consequently, the NFL rescinded the $25,000 fine.
Second Fine for Post-Game Comments:
Despite rescinding the fine for the false allegations, the NFL issued a second $25,000 fine to Mixon for comments he made after the Texans’ loss. Mixon criticized the officiating, saying that "You can never leave it into the refs hands."
Mixon’s Social Media Response:
Mixon expressed outrage on social media, questioning the NFL’s decision to fine him for comments that were not in violation of league rules. He demanded accountability and respect for players.
Appeal of Second Fine:
Mixon appealed the second fine, arguing that his post-game comments were protected under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Appeal Outcome:
After a review, the NFL hearing officer ruled in favor of Mixon, finding that his post-game comments did not constitute a violation of league rules. Thus, the second $25,000 fine was also rescinded.
Conclusion:
Joe Mixon has been exonerated from both false allegations and unjustified fines. The NFL’s initial decision to fine him based on mistaken identity was corrected through the appeal process. Additionally, the NFL acknowledged that Mixon’s post-game comments were not in violation of league rules. This outcome highlights the importance of fair play and due process in sports and the need for accountability within the NFL.
