The Kansas City Chiefs had gotten a taste of how disheartening a referee call could be that negates a game-winning score in their game against the Buffalo Bills. And now the Detroit Lions got a taste of it for themselves. In the high-stakes game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Lions had entered the game with a better record at 11-5, as compared to the Cowboys’ 10-5. But then, after the clock ran out, both teams ended up with the same record.

However, things were not as clear as it was in the Chiefs’ case. Things got so controversial that the NFL had to release a memo to all 32 teams clarifying why the referees’ call was right and no further discussion was necessary.

The NFL disappoints Dan Campbell with its decision

Ian Rapoport shared an important update regarding the controversial call by the referees. The league took the step of circulating a video memo among all the 32 teams. In the video, the league made its stand clear on whose responsibility it was to report. “It is the responsibility of the player to be sure that change in status is clearly communicated to the referee by both a physical signal.” Rapoport also revealed that the player must move his hands up and down in front of his chest “to report to the referee his intention to report as an eligible receiver.”

Walt Anderson, who is the senior VP of the NFL, was featured in the video, and to drive home the point gave the example of Skipper on how to report correctly to the referee. Lions OL #70 Dan Skipper reported to the referee as an eligible receiver, not Decker, according to the officiating referee, Brad Allen. This, the NFL found, was against its rulebook, and Allen made a call against the same.

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So, how did the entire incident take place?

What happened during the Lions vs Cowboys game?

Officials declared offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who wears No. 68, was not an eligible receiver following his reception of a pass from quarterback Jared Goff after the Week 17 game at AT&T Stadium. A late two-point conversion would have resulted in Detroit not only closing the gap between them and the Cowboys but also winning the game by a one-point margin. However, those hopes were dashed by Allen’s call, which negated the touchdown.

The Lions eventually lost by a mere one point after failing twice more to have a two-point conversation. Once the clock ran out, Decker informed inquisitive reporters that he informed the official that he was reporting as an eligible receiver. The referee’s call invited confusion from the head coach, Dan Campbell. But unlike HC Andy Reid, who publicly blasted the referees after the Buffalo Bills debacle, Campbell simply told reporters that he had spoken to Brad Allen before the play was made.

“I explained everything pregame to a tee. OK? I did that. 70 reported, 68 didn’t. We threw it to 68. That was the explanation,” an agitated Dan Campbell had said. With the NFL having cleared its stand now, hopefully, other players won’t make the same mistake again.