Fans on X have erupted in anger after Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This happened during his second touchdown celebration.
The incident sparked widespread criticism when officials flagged Gibbs for seemingly merely glancing at Samuel Womack III. Nonetheless, the Lions eventually secured a dominant 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The controversial call triggered an immediate wave of reactions on social media.
"Worst Officiating in NFL History @NFL you should be ashamed of yourself," one fan blasted the referees.
"Football could use a little more taunting. So weak," another added.
"He literally just looked at the guy," observed a third supporter.
Another chimed in with, "NFL is so soft."
While another fan noted ironically, "But they'll post the highlight."
The sentiment was extended by another fan dubbing it the:
"No fun league."
The moment unfolded when Jahmyr Gibbs displayed his explosive talent on third-and-goal from the Colts' five-yard line. The dynamic running back sliced through the defensive line and showcased his agility by juking past two defenders.
As he crossed into the end zone, a simple glance toward Colts cornerback Womack III prompted officials to immediately throw the flag.
The questionable 15-yard penalty failed to derail Jahmyr Gibbs' stellar performance. He finished the game with 57 yards on 14 carries, notching two crucial touchdowns.
Before the controversial score, Gibbs had already left his mark by honoring NBA legend Allen Iverson in his first touchdown celebration.
The Lions' ground game proved unstoppable throughout the contest. Quarterback Jared Goff supported the rushing attack with an efficient 26-of-36 passing performance for 269 yards.
Meanwhile, the Colts struggled as Anthony Richardson completed just 11 of 28 passes under constant pressure from Detroit's defensive front.
Lions' 'Sonic and Knuckles' backfield shows why they're among the NFL's elite
Detroit's formidable running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs ("Sonic") and David Montgomery ("Knuckles") continued to cement their place in NFL history.
Sunday marked the ninth time the pair scored rushing touchdowns in the same game. They are now tied for third place all-time among NFL running back combinations. Their season touchdown total has now reached an impressive 20.
The tandem's nickname draws inspiration from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" video games. Gibbs embodies Sonic's speed and Montgomery represents Knuckles' strength.
Though Montgomery exited in the third quarter with an injury, their combined 172 yards of offense played a crucial role in extending the Lions' winning streak to nine games. It improved their record to 10-1.
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