NFL Fines Joe Mixon $25K for Comments on Officiating in Chiefs-Texans Game

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for his comments about officiating during the divisional round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. The fine came after Mixon criticized the referees following the game, which the Chiefs won 23-14.

Mixon was initially fined for a quote mistakenly attributed to him by Sports Illustrated, in which former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh criticized the officiating. The NFL later reissued the fine based on Mixon’s actual postgame remarks, where he stated, “Everybody knows how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs’ hands.”

In the game, the Texans’ defense was penalized twice for contacting Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, leading to 10 crucial points for Kansas City. Mixon expressed frustration with the officiating, saying, “The whole world sees, man, what it is. When it comes down to it, you can never leave it into the refs’ hands.”

Houshmandzadeh, who had posted on social media criticizing the officials, wrote, “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with the Chiefs. These officials are [trash] & bias.” Sports Illustrated initially attributed this statement to Mixon, prompting the NFL to fine him. The publication has since corrected the error.

Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer, told ESPN they plan to appeal the fine. “We will defend Joe and have appealed the fine and will explore all other legal avenues to rectify this situation,” Schaffer said. “This has to stop.”

Mixon took to social media to voice his frustration, writing, “So let me get this straight NFL fines me 25k for something I didn’t even say. Call them out for it, and their response was fine me AGAIN for something that’s not even a violation without even rescinding the first one. Where’s the accountability? Just respect the players.”

The NFL has not publicly commented on the appeal or the reasoning behind the fine. The incident has sparked debate among fans and analysts about the league’s handling of player criticism and officiating controversies.