Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce’s 2025 season finale against the Houston Texans was shaping up to be the best game of his career. Instead, it ended abruptly and controversially, as Pierce was ejected late in the third quarter after making contact with an official—a moment that has since sparked debate across the NFL community.
The incident unfolded on January 4, 2026, with the Colts clinging to a lead in a high-stakes Week 18 contest in Houston. Pierce, who had already torched the Texans’ secondary for four receptions, 132 yards, and two touchdowns, found himself at the center of attention for reasons no player desires. With under two minutes to play in the third quarter, Pierce attempted to haul in a pass at the back of the end zone but was pushed out of bounds by Houston defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram. Looking for a flag on what he believed was pass interference, Pierce got up and approached field judge Jabir Walker to plead his case.
As the wideout leaned in to talk to the official, his left arm nudged Walker’s right arm. The contact was not forceful—by all accounts, it was incidental and appeared to be the result of an impassioned plea for a penalty rather than any malicious intent. Still, the field judge immediately threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, and after a brief conference among the officiating crew, Pierce was ejected from the game. The penalty also resulted in a loss of composure for the Colts, who would go on to lose their grip on the contest and eventually fall to the Texans 38-30.
Pierce’s ejection was met with immediate and widespread reaction, both in the stadium and among the broadcast team. CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore supported the ejection, citing the NFL’s strict rulebook: “Unnecessary physical contact with a game official: Under no circumstance is a player allowed to shove, push, or strike an official in an offensive, disrespectful, or unsportsmanlike manner. The player shall be disqualified from the game, and any such action must be reported to the Commissioner, who may impose further discipline.” However, not everyone agreed. Former NFL star and CBS color analyst J.J. Watt called the decision “harsh,” and play-by-play man Ian Eagle threw it to Steratore for clarification, with the analyst conceding, “It’s not a lot of contact.”
For Pierce, the incident was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the magnitude of his performance. “I thought it was PI,” Pierce explained after the game. “I thought it was pass interference, and I was talking to him about that, and then I guess I bumped him.” Before leaving the field, Pierce made a point to apologize to Walker, shaking the official’s hand and clarifying, “I just wanted to let him know I wasn’t trying to put hands on him. It wasn’t a malicious act.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen also expressed disappointment over the turn of events but stood by his player’s character. “Obviously, Alec did not mean to do that,” Steichen said. “Alec’s character is top of the line, one of the best dudes on our team. Just an unfortunate situation.” Despite Steichen’s efforts to plead Pierce’s case, the ejection was upheld, and the Colts were forced to finish the game without one of their most explosive weapons.
The ejection overshadowed what was otherwise a signature performance for the 25-year-old receiver. Pierce’s 132 receiving yards were just two shy of his career high, and his two touchdowns tied a personal best. It was also the first time in his career he surpassed 100 receiving yards and scored multiple touchdowns in the same game. He opened the scoring with a 66-yard catch-and-run on the Colts’ first offensive series and later drew a critical 30-yard pass interference penalty that set up his second touchdown. Had he not been disqualified, many believe Pierce could have set new personal bests and potentially helped the Colts secure a victory in a crucial season-ending matchup.
Pierce’s breakout day was the capstone to a remarkable 2025 campaign. Expanding his role within the Colts’ offense, he finished the season with career highs across the board: 47 receptions, 1,003 yards, and six touchdowns. His average of 21.3 yards per catch not only led the NFL for the second consecutive year but also put him in rare company—before Pierce, the last NFL receiver to average more than 20 yards per catch in back-to-back seasons was DeSean Jackson in 2011. “It was a huge milestone,” Pierce remarked. “I think it’s the goal of every receiver in the NFL.”
Pierce’s ability to stretch the field and attack multiple levels of the defense made him the Colts’ most dangerous deep threat and one of the league’s premier big-play specialists. “Just trying to be a complete receiver and prove that I can win at all levels of the field and continue to do what I do well,” Pierce said. “Be explosive, make plays downfield.” His partnership with rookie quarterback Riley Leonard was a bright spot for Indianapolis, hinting at what could have been a dynamic duo for years to come.
But with his rookie contract expiring, the future is uncertain for both Pierce and the Colts. Pierce is set to become a free agent this offseason, and his performance this year—capped by his near-record day in Houston—will undoubtedly make him one of the most sought-after wideouts on the market. Known for his elite speed and knack for getting open deep, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons, despite not playing alongside an elite quarterback. There is widespread speculation that, in the right offense with a top-tier passer, Pierce could take his game to even greater heights.
As the dust settles on a dramatic season finale, the Colts and their fans are left to wonder what might have been if Pierce had been allowed to finish the game. His ejection, while in line with the letter of the NFL rulebook, will remain a topic of debate throughout the offseason. For now, all eyes are on Pierce’s next chapter—whether he returns to Indianapolis or takes his talents elsewhere, the league will be watching to see if this big-play threat can continue his ascent among the NFL’s elite.
One thing’s for certain: Alec Pierce’s 2025 season ended not with a whimper, but with a bang—both on the stat sheet and in the headlines. As free agency approaches, his future is as intriguing as ever.