DeMeco Ryans, the 41-year-old head coach of the Houston Texans, stood on the sideline during a game. He was next to a Pittsburgh Steelers chain operator who held a down indicator. This large pole marks the line of scrimmage on the gridiron's side.
A Polite Exchange Captures Attention
The chain operator offered Ryans some encouraging words. He said, "Good luck, special awaiting coach," and gave the coach a pat on the back. Ryans responded with gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Sir. Thank you very much." The operator praised him, noting, "Good job. Well done." Ryans repeated his thanks politely.
Later, Ryans engaged the operator in further conversation. He asked, "How long have you been doing this?" The operator initially replied, "It's not polite to ask." Ryans quickly apologized, saying, "I'm sorry..." The operator then revealed he started in 1975. Ryans asked for his name, learning it was Tom Fitzgerald.
Ryans expressed admiration, saying, "Tom, man. That's awesome. Appreciate the service you're doing here." He pointed at the pole Fitzgerald held. Ryans added, "Hopefully still having fun with it..." Fitzgerald confirmed he was, and Ryans laughed warmly.
Mixed Reactions from Cybercitizens
This heartfelt moment quickly spread online, but reactions varied. One X user commented, "That's cute but we all know it's just for the cameras." Others praised Ryans' demeanor.
Another user wrote, "Old school respect, love it." A different person stated, "This is who DeMeco Ryans is. Class human being." A third user noted, "DeMeco is a class act. Most coaches are running to the locker room or looking for the other HC, but he sees the history standing right there."
A fourth user expressed, "DeMeco is the man. I'm so happy he's the Texans coach. He has turned this franchise into a place players want to play if you're not lazy." A fifth user reflected, "A lot of people in our country today could learn a few things by watching this short clip."
One user simply declared, "Good men do good things." Another added, "You can tell he's a genuine dude. Guys would run through a wall for him. Respect."
Comparison with Sean Payton
A user contrasted Ryans with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, saying, "Ryans seems like a good dude... unlike miserable Sean Payton." This comment referenced a recent incident.
Two days prior, USA TODAY's Robert Zeglinski reported that Payton was condescending and rude to a Broncos reporter. Payton was asked about linebacker Dre Greenlaw's ability to attack downhill. He responded dismissively, "You want him to attack downhill? Like, what do you know about attacking downhill in the run game? You don't know."
Zeglinski noted Payton could have answered respectfully. Instead, he chose to mock the reporter for asking a non-standard question. This behavior highlighted a stark difference in coaching styles.
The sideline moment with Ryans and Fitzgerald has sparked discussions about authenticity and respect in professional sports. Fans continue to debate whether such interactions are genuine or performed for cameras.
