Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell FURIOUS in Postgame Presser When Asked About Controversial Call in Week 13 Loss to Packers
Detroit, Michigan The atmosphere inside Ford Field was anything but festive following the Detroit Lions’ crushing 24-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Frustration echoed throughout the locker room and stands, all sparked by a highly controversial touchdown catch by wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks.
One call from the replay booth changed the entire game
The play in question came midway through the second half, with the Packers trailing and desperate for momentum. Quarterback Jordan Love launched a 22-yard pass toward the back corner of the end zone, targeting Wicks. The young receiver made the grab near the sideline with what appeared to be very questionable footwork. Yet the referees ruled touchdown
The entire Ford Field fell silent. Slow-motion replays showed Wicks pulling the ball toward his chest as his right foot hit the ground, followed by the left one, but it seemed his third step landed out of bounds. Many believed he hadn’t completed the catch in time or that he had briefly bobbled the ball.
After a lengthy booth review, the officiating crew upheld the ruling. According to NFL protocol, the league explained that Wicks had established control, landed both feet in bounds, and made a football move which meets the criteria for a completed catch.
Lions collapse, Packers surge
Following the ruling, the Packers seized the momentum, scoring three more touchdowns over the next 20 minutes. They finished the game with 28 unanswered second-half points, flipping a sluggish start into a dramatic comeback victory.
Dontayvion Wicks ended the night with 6 receptions, 94 yards, and 2 touchdowns, as Green Bay improved to 8-3-1, leaping past the Lions (now 8-4) in both the NFC North standings and the NFC playoff race.
One question, one explosive moment, and a chilling silence
After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell kept his composure throughout the postgame press conference. That was until one ESPN reporter asked him directly about the touchdown call and the officiating decision.
Campbell paused, lowered his eyes, tapped his fingers on the table, then looked up and said slowly
“I don’t want to get fined, so I won’t say everything I’m thinking. But if that’s what we’re calling a completed catch now, maybe it’s time to rewrite the damn rulebook.”
Moments later, Campbell stood up, gave a quick “thank you,” and walked out, leaving a room full of stunned reporters behind.
The fallout continues...
On social media, Lions fans erupted with outrage, flooding the internet with hashtags like #Refball and #LionsGotRobbed. NFL analysts began breaking down the footage frame by frame, arguing that “if Wicks were wearing Honolulu blue instead of green and gold, that touchdown would’ve been overturned in seconds.”
While the league has yet to release any additional statement, this play may go down as one of the most controversial moments of the season, especially if it ends up costing the Lions a playoff berth.
For Dan Campbell, those few furious words may echo through the remainder of the season
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