Texans WR Nico Collins says NFL fined him for tossing TD ball to young fan

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins says he was fined by the NFL for throwing a football into the stands to a fan after his Week 12 touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.

Collins’ second quarter touchdown cut the Tennessee lead to 17-13 in a game the Titans would go on to win 32-27. Collins caught nine balls total in the loss for 92 yards and a score.

Collins said he saw a young fan in the stands and tossed him the ball before jumping into the crowd to celebrate with fans. While he didn’t say an exact amount, Collins said that the fine came to about $5,000 for something he has done in the past.

(The NFL’s player fine chart lists “Football Into Stands” under a “Sportsmanship” violation and is a $7,878 fine.)

“It’s for the kids,” Collins told reporters on Thursday. “I seen he was screaming and was thinking, ‘Here you go, big dog. Here’s the ball. … I guess they think you’re going to poke somebody in the eye or something.”

Collins, who added the decision was “definitely worth it,” said that he will appeal the fine.

“The only thing that matters was making that kid happy,” Collins said. “He ain’t never going to forget that moment. So that’s all that matters to me. It’s cool. I’ll pay the fine.”