DeMeco Ryans: Kris Boyd didn’t push coach in ‘disrespectful way’

After the Chiefs’ long return on the opening kickoff of Saturday’s game, Texas cornerback Chris Boyd shoved special teams coach Frank Ross in the chest after calling a penalty for taking off his helmet and throwing it.

Boyd forced a fumble at the end of the run and initially thought his team had the ball rolling. After the loss to the Chiefs, Boyd explained that the penalty came because he “was just too excited” and that he meant no “disrespect” to Ross by pushing him. On Monday, Texas head coach DeMeco Ryans offered a similar take on the interaction between players and coaches.

“I don’t think he pushed Frank inside in a disrespectful wayRyans said, via Kristie Rieken of the Associated Press. “I think it was more that he was fired up — too fired up — and he thought he made a play to help us. So that story that he is pushing the coach is incorrect.”

While Ryans justified the push, he also said Boyd has to “stay calm” during games regardless of how excited he might be by what happened on the field.