Tommy Townsend and Texans referee push each other away before Punt

Bettors in the New York Jets-Houston Texans game in Week 9 had a very busy first quarter as the teams combined for four punts on the first five possessions of the game. While New York’s Thomas Morstead had more distance, Houston’s Tommy Townsend made all the headlines.

Not only was Townsend the victim of a penalty kick that earned him a trip to the blue tent, but he also found himself in a shoving match with an unlikely opponent: referee Terry Killens.

As the Texans lined up for their first punt of the night, Killens stood back so the play could begin, but he got a little too close for the punter’s comfort, so Townsend extended his arm and pushed the referee aside.

To make things even weirder, Killens tried to punch Townsend’s hand away. It really looked like two small children whose mother had just turned her back after saying, “Keep your hands to yourself!”

It seems unlikely that you’ll ever see a gambler and referee get into a shoving match again, but now we know never to say never.