(This story has been updated to add new information)
Cincinnati Bengals fans and the greater NFL world had plenty to say last weekend when the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Houston Texans during the playoffs and more sloppy officiating occurred.
A week later, former Bengals running back Joe Mixon is in hot water with the NFL and fined — for comments he didn’t say.
As it turns out, the comments were actually said by former Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Small world, right?
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tracked down the weird sequence of events, which included Mixon’s comment: “Everybody know how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs hands. The whole world see, man.”
Mixon was fined by the NFL for this, though, which was actually said by Housh: “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs. These officials are trash and bias.”
Got all that? Mixon will likely be winning this appeal, considering the fine cites something he didn’t say. Then again, he was still seemingly critical of referees, which the NFL tends to take rather personally.
Mixon did have plenty to say on social media after all this went public:
I’m getting fined by the @nfl for what someone else said. What’s next? I get fined by them for Connor McDavid cross checking an opponent on a @nhl game! 🤦🏽♂️
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) January 22, 2025
& really tried to fine me 4 the max that’s mind blowing… smh
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) January 22, 2025
Update: Per PFT, the NFL re-sent the fine and cited Mixon’s actual comments.
