Detroit Lions troll officiating blunder in Dallas

DETROIT — The Lions claim to have moved past the Dallas officiating error. Even their social media crew and their players dispute this.A video showing left tackle Taylor Decker “reporting” (get it?) to Ford Field ahead of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings was shared by the Lions on Twitter. A few minutes later, Decker said, “That is not me,” in response to the footage.

Dan Skipper was seen in a Lions video “reporting” (you know where this is going, right?) to Ford Field in response to that.

The exchange is obviously riffing off the controversial loss against the Cowboys last week. Decker reported as an eligible receiver on a late 2-point play, walking up to the official and verbally saying he was reporting, while wiping his front numbers with his hands, the universal gesture for reporting eligibility. But referee Brad Allen was fixated on Skipper running onto the field, an extra offensive lineman who often reports as an eligible receiver. Skipper never spoke with the officials, but did gesture formational commands for the offense, flexing one arm to signal a jumbo formation, while making a gun near his chest with the other hand, the sign for 12 personnel.

According to reports, the official misinterpreted Skipper’s formational directions for reporting and declared Skipper to be the play’s eligible receiver. Both the Lions coach Dan Campbell and the players from both teams were unable to hear the announcement on the field.

With 23 seconds remaining, Decker managed to catch what looked to be the game-winning touchdown, but the officials threw a flag, ruling him an ineligible receiver. Detroit ultimately suffered a 20-19 defeat.

After the game, Allen reaffirmed the decision, claiming that Skipper had reported to him as eligible. The NFL then went even farther, focusing on Skipper—who was not reporting as eligible—in a letter sent to the whole league on the play, while disregarding Decker.Indeed, Skipper replied, “I’ve seen it all.” “Next query.”

The play has continued to rankle players all week, but Campbell — who diagramed the controversial play for officials before the Cowboys game — is trying to move on.“I’m ready, man,” Campbell said. “I’ve got controlled fury, and I’m ready to go. I am absolutely ready to go. I don’t go the other way. So, the team won’t either. We’re on a mission, and we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in everything.

We had plays to make, but we failed to do so. The game is close, the opposition is strong, and the atmosphere is playoff-like. We got to perform that one more play that we were not able to. We must therefore use this as fuel. Right now, I’m on pure octane. We’re going on because I woke up and am prepared.While Campbell appears to be moving on, Decker and the social media team are still dwelling on a mistake that might have cost Detroit a crucial playoff seeding. Fans are, of course, too.