The Houston Texans‘ Kris Boyd has revealed the racial abuse he received after cameras captured the cornerback shoving one of his team’s white coaches, as they took on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tensions began to boil over in a closely contested AFC Divisional Game that saw Patrick Mahomes and the hosts eventually run out 23-14 winners at the Arrowhead Stadium on January 18.

Yet one of the most controversial moments of Saturday’s NFL Playoffs game came when the 28-year-old Boyd angrily shoved his coach, in a manner similar to Travis Kelce during Super Bowl LVIII.

The incident went viral online but clearly some people took their responses too far as the African American football player revealed how comments in his messages targeted his race, including people using the N word.

“Stupid ass n***er,” read one of the messages, which Boyd reposted to his Instagram Stories. Although he kept the name of the sender a secret, the ex-Texas Longhorns player made it clear how unacceptable it was.

“This been every second since last night up to today…,” Boyd posted to his Instagram Stories with the screenshot. “Not looking for sincerity, God got me…

“The world is wicked, but I’ll be the example to still shine love and light no matter the circumstances… Adapt the ways of the spirit $ christ. Not the flesh..”

Boyd’s apology for shove

Boyd’s frustrations boiled over after he received a penalty for celebrating too much, after a successful long kickoff return by the Texans in Missouri. Frank Ross, the Texans’ special team coordinator, appeared annoyed at the penalty and appeared to say something to the player.

In no mind to hear anything in that moment, Boyd firmly placed two hands on his chest and shoved him away, although he did later apologize when the dust had settled and the game finished.

“That’s not in my character,” Boyd said. “I love everybody here.

“I love my coaches. I’d never disrespect nobody. I love Frank. I respect everybody in that building.”