Houston Texans owner Cal McNair calls on the NFL to punish Chargers star Teair Tart for unsportsmanlike conduct following the 16–20 loss to the Texans — a tense moment caught on video that sparked outrage among the Houston fan community.

The Houston Texans’ 20–16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium should have been remembered solely as a landmark moment — the night Houston clinched a playoff berth for the third straight season, a first in franchise history, and extended its winning streak to eight games. Instead, a controversial second-quarter incident has sparked widespread backlash and prompted Texans owner Cal McNair to call on the NFL to step in.

According to sources close to the organization, McNair has formally urged the league to review and discipline Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart for what the Texans believe was a clear act of unsportsmanlike conduct. The moment, captured on video and circulated widely across social media, quickly ignited outrage among Houston fans and analysts alike.

Late entry for "Troll Job Of The Year."

Teair Tart messes with Dalton Schultz after the play, and then FLOPS when Schultz pushes him 😮

Drawing a 15-yard penalty and putting the Texans into 3rd and long 💀pic.twitter.com/uCgLnUERYh

— Covers (@Covers) December 27, 2025

The play occurred after Texans tight end Dalton Schultz completed a short catch and was rising to hand the ball to an official. Tart arrived late, making contact high on Schultz’s helmet area. When Schultz instinctively shoved back, Tart — despite outweighing Schultz by more than 70 pounds — fell dramatically to the turf. Officials flagged Schultz for a 15-yard penalty, while Tart received no flag at all.

The consequence was immediate and significant. Houston’s drive stalled, turning a manageable situation into third-and-long and forcing a punt. Multiple outlets later described the play as “instigation followed by a theatrical flop,” a moment many labeled the most controversial sequence of the game outside of missed kicks.

McNair’s frustration, according to team sources, centers on accountability and precedent. In a statement conveyed through the organization, he emphasized that competitive fire cannot excuse actions that undermine fairness or player safety.

“We respect competition, but that competition has to come with respect,” McNair said. “What happened crossed the line. It wasn’t just disrespectful to our players — it ran counter to the NFL’s standards of sportsmanship and safety. This game is built on strength, discipline, and control. We compete to win, not to create situations that put players at risk.”

Around the league, the incident has reignited debate over retaliatory penalties and embellishment. Several analysts noted that while Schultz was flagged for responding, Tart’s role as the instigator went unpunished in real time — a disparity Texans fans argue cannot be ignored.

The NFL has not yet announced whether fines or further discipline will be issued, though league sources confirm the play will be reviewed under unsportsmanlike conduct guidelines. For Houston, the concern goes beyond one call. Team officials believe that allowing such behavior without consequence risks encouraging similar tactics across the league.

As the Texans prepare for the postseason, their historic win remains intact. But the controversy has ensured that this game will be remembered not only for what Houston achieved — but also for a moment that now has the NFL under pressure to draw a clearer line between intensity and integrity.