Dan Campbell unaware of Jared Goff’s perfect game, gives game ball to other Lions players

Dan Campbell unaware of Jared Goff’s perfect game, gives game ball to other Lions players

October 1, 2024

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There was an imperfect end to Jared Goff’s perfect night.

The Lions knocked off the Seahawks in their Week 4 “Monday Night Football” matchup, largely on the back – really, the arm – of Jared Goff. The Detroit quarterback finished the game a perfect 18-for-18 passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, he also snagged a receiving TD in the contest.

One would think that such a performance would certainly earn Goff the ceremonial game ball, right? Well, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was unaware of Goff’s 18-for-18 night, making way for a pretty big oopsie in the Lions’ locker room postgame.

“I just gave the game ball to somebody else,” Campbell said after the win. “So, I feel awful right now.

“I knew he played a heck of a game – I did not realize he was perfect. I did not know he was literally 18 for 18.” 

Campbell had a laugh about it, but also went the extra mile to praise his quarterback despite not knowing that Goff finished with a perfect performance.

The Lions were in the process of making minced meat of the Seahawks by halftime, but a competitive, back-and-forth third quarter saw the game head down to the wire. Ultimately, a clutch Goff toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown put the Lions ahead for good.

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The question remains: If not Goff, then who? Well, the game ball went to Detroit safety Kerby Joseph and wideout Jameson Williams. Joseph nabbed the game-sealing interception, while Williams grabbed two passes for 80 yards, one of which was a 70-yard catch-and-run to the end zone for a TD.

Those Lions are worthy recipients, certainly: But the biggest – and only – incompletion of the Lions’ night was Campbell not tossing that game ball to Goff.