Eric Woodyard, ESPNDec 12, 2024, 04:54 PM ET
DETROIT — The Lions confirmed to ESPN that the crew has revoked the season tickets of a fan who had a pregame verbal altercation with Packers coach Matt LaFleur at Ford Subject final week.
A TV digicam caught the tip of a heated alternate between LaFleur and Fahad Yousif, a Lions fan from Farmington Hills, Michigan, who was a part of the group holding a large flag for the nationwide anthem final Thursday night time.
LaFleur could possibly be seen yelling on the fan however stated his actions have been provoked.
“I’ve by no means been part of one thing like that,” LaFleur stated after Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Lions. “He was speaking junk to our gamers, giving them the throat-slash signal. You are attempting to de-escalate it, after which he will get in my face. I assumed it was fairly unsportsmanlike.
“I’ve by no means seen that. I have been on many fields, and often they police that significantly better. I assumed it was an smug fan that needed to get in part of the motion. I want to see safety, or one thing step in there and get him out of there, as a result of it is, he should not be doing that. Yeah.”
Yousif confirmed the crew’s resolution to The Detroit News and stated he was “devastated” by the transfer after being contacted through e mail.
“The most important intestine punch, man,” Yousif advised The Detroit Information on Thursday. “Simply waking up and seeing that e mail and never having the ability to discuss to any person in particular person, it was a horrible feeling. I haven’t got my likelihood to offer my facet of the story or something.” The 12-1 Lions are off to their finest begin in franchise historical past with 11 consecutive victories. On Sunday, they are going to return to Ford Subject to host the Bills (10-3) in a matchup of Tremendous Bowl contenders. Yousif, a lifelong Lions fan, stated the crew’s success is “making it damage much more.”
“This has been my id my entire life, and it is simply ripped away from me over a small incident. It positively may’ve been averted on my finish,” Yousif advised The Detroit Information.
“I might let [the Lions] know I am so sorry that I embarrassed this crew. Like, this actually wasn’t my intention. I might apologize to anybody and do something I may to get again within the stadium, supporting my crew.”
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.
Lions revoke fan’s tickets for verbal spat with Packers’ LaFleur
Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter devoted to the Midwest area earlier than switching to his present function in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan College and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted, Ethan’s Expertise Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He’s a proud dad or mum of 1 son, Ethan. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard
