The Houston Texans are preparing to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. Unfortunately, head coach Bill O'Brien has since felt the need to do some damage control.

Footage recently leaked of O'Brien engaging in an exchange of words with a heckler during the Texans' loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 14. He has since apologized for his role in the verbal altercation, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle:

‘I apologized for it, inappropriate comments. I'm sorry that it happened.'

Although watching a coach cuss out a fan is hardly a regular occurrence, its is not exactly the type of situation that would warrant an apology. Especially since it has been weeks since the incident happened. Regardless, NFL head coaches are to uphold a certain image by the league's standards and it seems he felt that he fell short of that.

O'Brien is known for being one of the more fiery, passionate coaches in the NFL today. It is part of the reason why he has become so well-respected by fans and players alike. Houston had just been dismantled by Denver in the 38-24 loss so it should come as no surprise that tempers were flaring on the way back to the locker room.

At the end of the day, the onus ultimately falls on the coaching staff to keep the emotion of the team in check. They cannot ask players to keep their competitive nature and passion for the game from disrupting the task at hand unless they do the same.

O'Brien can at least take solace in the fact that his team remains in the playoffs. Meanwhile that fan and the rest of the Broncos' organization are watching from home.