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

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

Collins’ second-quarter touchdown run cut Tennessee’s 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 threw the ball to him before jumping into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. Although he did not specify the exact amount, Collins said the fine was about $5,000 for something he had done in the past.

(The NFL player fine chart lists “Football Into Stands” under a “sportsmanlike” violation and carries a fine of $7,878.)

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

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

“The only thing that mattered was making that kid happy,” Collins said. “He’ll never forget this moment. So that’s all that matters to me. It’s cool. I’ll pay the fine.”