Following the controversial penalty that nullified the Detroit Lions’ potential go-ahead 2-point conversion against the Dallas Cowboys, offensive lineman Dan Skipper addressed the interaction he had with referee Brad Allen. Skipper, along with Penei Sewell, was seen conversing with Allen when Taylor Decker approached to report as an eligible receiver.
Contrary to the penalty call, Skipper asserted that he wasn’t signaling himself as eligible in the traditional manner. Instead, he explained that he was signaling the personnel, using a specific gesture indicating “12 jumbo.”
“So personnel, you signal in,” Skipper said, via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “I wasn’t like this (wiping my numbers). I was not doing that. I was doing this (holding one arm up and another by my stomach, with two fingers out), signaling 12 jumbo. Everyone who’s played at this level, I’m sure all you guys know that you signal in personnel.”
According to Skipper, the typical procedure for an offensive lineman reporting as eligible involves directly approaching an official and explicitly stating, “Sir, I am reporting as eligible.”
RELATED: Anonymous Lions Fan Puts Up Billboards in Detroit Following Cowboys-Lions Controversial Ending
In the postgame explanations, contradictions emerged. Lions quarterback Jared Goff insisted that Decker reported as eligible, and Skipper did not. On the other hand, Allen stated that Skipper reported as eligible but then shifted to the tackle spot, negating the need for him to report. Decker was already in the game.
Despite the conflicting accounts, Skipper expressed a readiness to move on from the incident. The Lions are set to host the Minnesota Vikings in their final game of the season.
