Detroit Lions should sue NFL for defamation after blown call against Dallas | Letter to the Editor

In his post-game comments following the Detroit Lions-Dallas Cowboys debacle, NFL referee Brad Allen said, “On this particular play, number 70, who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible. Then he lined up at the tackle position. So, actually, he didn’t have to report at all. Number 68, who ended up going downfield and touching the pass, did not report.”

This was his justification for throwing a flag — 30 seconds after the play was completed — taking away a dramatic come-from-behind-victory, and possibly the first seed in the NFL playoffs, from the Lions.

Lions guard Taylor Decker said he reported, and offensive tackle Dan Skipper said he didn’t say a word, so in his postgame comments, it seems that Allen is accusing both of lying. If he’s wrong, it seems to me he could be guilty of slander, and damages could be awarded.

Instead of an investigation, the NFL doubled down by sending out an insulting video "clarifying" the reporting procedure in an attempt to convince the other NFL teams that the Lions players were at fault.

So, sue the NFL, Ms. Hamp. Force them to defend their position in court with sworn testimony by Allen and the entire officiating crew. Damage was certainly done to the players’ reputations, to the team and to the city of Detroit, and in my opinion, damages should be awarded.

If not, nothing will change, especially for smaller and mid-market teams like Detroit. They will continue to find themselves on the short end of the stick in crucial games — just like the last time the Lions played the Cowboys in the playoffs nine years ago. ("Dallas 24, Detroit 20: Mistakes, picked-up flag doom Lions," Detroit Free Press, Jan. 4. 2015.)

Eric Kettunen

Greenbrae, California

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions, sue NFL for defamation over ref in Dallas | Letters