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Texans' Joe Mixon Says He Got Fined by NFL For Something Someone Else Said

Adam WellsJanuary 22, 2025

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 18: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon is lashing out at the NFL over a fine he received for something he didn't say.

Mixon started out by tagging the NFL on X and calling the league "wild" with a GIF of the classic Rik Rok and Shaggy music video.

⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ @Joe_MainMixon

<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> Y'all wild 🤦🏽‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/o8OGz6kSKh">pic.twitter.com/o8OGz6kSKh</a>

Further context was added when Mixon said the league was fining him for something "someone else said" and joked he might later get fined by the NFL for Connor McDavid cross-checking an opponent in an NHL game.

⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ @Joe_MainMixon

I'm getting fined by the <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nfl</a> for what someone else said. What's next? I get fined by them for Connor McDavid cross checking an opponent on a <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nhl</a> game! 🤦🏽‍♂️

⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ @Joe_MainMixon

&amp; really tried to fine me 4 the max that's mind blowing… smh

Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Mixon was fined $25,000 by the NFL.

The situation stems from comments about the officiating in Saturday's AFC Divisional Round game between the Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. Mixon didn't call out the officials after the 23-14 loss, but said you can't "leave it into the refs' hands" to win a game.

Will Kunkel @WillKunkelFOX

Texans RB Joe Mixon on the officiating in today's game:<br><br>"Everybody know how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs hands. The whole world see, man." <a href="https://t.co/NZPIlO6YrQ">pic.twitter.com/NZPIlO6YrQ</a>

Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was vocal about the refs, posting on X the officials are trash using emojis and "bias."

T.J. Houshmandzadeh @housh84

Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs. These officials are 🗑🗑🗑🗑 &amp; bias

Florio noted the NFL didn't include the quote that got Mixon fined in the discipline letter, but Mixon's agent, Peter Schaffer, said he intends to "defend and appeal" the fine and "explore all other legal avenues to rectify this situation."

Of note, Florio reported the NFL revised the fine, citing Mixon said teams can't "leave it into the refs' hands." Mixon also commented on the latest development:

⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ @Joe_MainMixon

So let me get this straight NFL fines me 25k for something I didn't even say. Call them out for it, and they 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. <br><br>Cold 🌎

There was a lot of frustration from the Texans with how the game was officiated, particularly unnecessary roughness and roughing the passer penalties involving Patrick Mahomes.

ESPN @espn

Will Anderson was called for roughing the passer on Patrick Mahomes on this play.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOUvsKC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HOUvsKC</a> | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ <a href="https://t.co/bTn7Z5XoLZ">pic.twitter.com/bTn7Z5XoLZ</a>

The Chiefs scored 10 points on two drives that featured a 15-yard penalty against the Texans. Houston was called for eight penalties that cost it 82 yards, compared to four penalties for 29 yards for the Chiefs.

Amid the criticism over the calls, the NFL said the calls against the Texans were correct.