Following their triumphant 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, securing their first division crown in three decades, the Detroit Lions were greeted in the visitors’ locker room with celebratory t-shirts, hats, and an overall positive atmosphere. However, for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, an unexpected surprise awaited him at his locker: a notification of a drug test.
Sharing the development on his Instagram story, the rookie running back revealed that he had been chosen by the NFL drug-testing program’s independent administrator for a performance-enhancing substances test on Sunday. According to the protocol, Gibbs is required to meet with the Doping Control Officer to understand the testing procedures and determine the appropriate timeline for completing and submitting his sample.
Gibbs showcased an impressive performance during the Lions’ historic victory, accumulating 100 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns. He carried the ball 15 times for 80 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, in addition to making four catches for 20 yards.
In a pivotal moment with 2:54 left in the first half, Gibbs contributed to the Lions’ 17-7 lead by scoring his first touchdown on a 14-yard run. He sealed the game with the final touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, securing a short run from Minnesota’s three-yard line.
As the Lions’ No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, Gibbs not only played a crucial role in their recent victory but also made franchise history. He surpassed the late Mel Farr for the fifth-most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in a single season. Additionally, Gibbs joined the elite company of Barry Sanders (1989) and Billy Sims (1980) as the third rookie in franchise history to achieve 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in a single season.
Posting the picture on his Instagram story, Gibbs humorously captioned it, “Am I cooked?” While the verdict on whether he’s “cooked” or not will have to wait, one certainty is that he is now a 2023 NFC North division champion. The process of the NFL’s random drug test selections, however, raises questions about its seemingly stat-based nature.
