NFL Revokes Joe Mixon’s $25,000 Fine for Referee Criticism
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has had his $25,000 fine overturned by the NFL after it was determined that he did not publicly criticize officials during a playoff game in January.
The initial fine stemmed from Mixon’s comments following the Texans’ 23-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round on January 18. In his post-game interview, Mixon stated, "Everybody knows how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs’ hands."
These remarks were widely interpreted as a criticism of the officials, particularly after the Texans defense was penalized twice for hits on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, upon further review, the league has determined that Mixon’s comments were not intended as a direct attack on the referees.
In a letter to Mixon, appeals officer Chris Palmer explained that during the hearing process, it was determined that Mixon "did not necessarily publicly criticize the officials." Palmer noted that Mixon’s comments were made in a general sense and were not directed at any specific individuals.
Furthermore, the letter emphasized that "integrity of the game and its officials is the responsibility of everyone involved in the NFL" and that Mixon "clearly understand[s] the weight and detriment of public criticism towards officials."
The original fine was imposed after former Cincinnati receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh posted a comment on social media that was incorrectly attributed to Mixon. Houshmandzadeh’s comment, "Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with the Chiefs," was mistakenly reported as Mixon’s in a Sports Illustrated story.
The NFL later reissued the fine for the comments that Mixon actually made. However, upon appeal, the league has now rescinded the penalty altogether, acknowledging that Mixon’s remarks did not constitute a violation of the NFL’s rules.
Mixon finished the divisional round game with 88 rushing yards. He appeared in 14 regular-season games during his first season with the Texans, rushing for 1,016 yards.
This decision serves as a reminder of the importance of context and interpretation in evaluating public statements. While it is essential to uphold the integrity of the game and its officials, it is equally crucial to ensure that players are not unfairly punished for expressing their opinions within the bounds of acceptable discourse.
