Instead of the NFC Divisional playoff clash between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Justin Jefferson, the undisputed biggest star on the Minnesota Vikings, if not the entire NFL, was not impressed with a viral sign that has been making the rounds around the NFL’s social media accounts.
Not a good appearance for the league
In his inaugural news conference more than three years ago, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, “We’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right. And when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re going to get up.” This is presumably referenced in the sign. And we’re going to bite off a kneecap en route to the top.
However, that banner was interpreted by non-Lions supporters as a reference to the largest dark patches on an otherwise heartwarming tale in the league this season. That relates to Lions CB Kirby Joseph and his tendency for ACL-tearing tackles in which he plainly targeted the lower leg of Vikings’ TE TJ Hockenson and Los Angeles Rams’ TE Tyler Higbee.
The fact that the terms “kneecap” and “other kneecap” are placed next to the teams that Hockenson and Higbee play for may be the most damning allusion to the two ailments. It’s difficult to ignore the impression that the sign is boasting about wounds that were caused by dishonest play.
It’s difficult to ignore the likelihood that this fan was alluding to those two injuries, even though there is just enough ambiguity to leave “some” room for interpretation. However, the league’s promotion of it through visibility on its social media channels is obviously unfavorable to Vikings and Rams supporters.
The NFL is, at worst, openly endorsing dirty play. At most, it’s a callous error made by the league’s social media staff. In any case, it enrages supporters of the game, particularly those who are affiliated with the two teams whose players have suffered the dreaded ACL rips.
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