(WXYZ) — Detroit Lions fans are left with a bad taste in their mouths after Monday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.
Players and fans took to social media to express frustration with the officiating that some say cost the Lions last night's 23-22 game.
- Here's what the head official said about the Trey Flowers penalties against the Lions
- Lions blow late lead in 23-22 loss to Packers
- Former Lions QB Orlovsky says 'enough is enough' with NFL officiating
Defensive End Trey Flowers was pinned with two penalties: a flag for illegal hands to the face. He has never been whistled for hands-to-the-face fouls in his five-year NFL career. Flowers told 7 Action News' Brad Galli he disagreed with the costly penalty.
Here’s Trey Flowers talking postgame about the two penalties against him in the Lions loss: pic.twitter.com/TwiuzBYcmP
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 15, 2019
Pro football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders even referred to the call as "phantom hands," acknowledging the "@Lions played too well to have the game end this way."
That is sickening... the @NFL needs to look at a way to prevent that from happening. Two phantom hands to the face calls really hurts us tonight. Yes, we could have scored TDs, but @Lions played too well to have the game end this way. #DETvsGB @espn
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) October 15, 2019
Flowers' teammates, Cornerback Darius Slay and Outside Linebacker Devon Kennard supported the defenisive end for speaking out.
My guy!!!! We with ya bra✊🏽 https://t.co/EAIKml5k9h
— Darius Slay (@_bigplayslay23) October 15, 2019
Trey a real one for how he handled this. I’m ready to go back to work with you my G! https://t.co/oTsAJGsDvs
— DK (@DevonKennard) October 15, 2019
Fans flooded Twitter with memes mocking the officiating and outcome.
PENALTY ON THE LIONS, ILLEGAL BREATHING! pic.twitter.com/O5y66jaKlg
— Detroit Lions Memes (@LionsMemes) October 15, 2019
This just came in. #LionsVsRefs pic.twitter.com/OyaIDp4P2b
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) October 15, 2019
NO FLAG HUH??? pic.twitter.com/Xk9B3c4fK9
— Detroit Lions Memes (@LionsMemes) October 15, 2019
Other fans: Lions got robbed
— T (@tweetless21) October 15, 2019
Packers fans: pic.twitter.com/H2KGllXpxE
The refs have to be part owners of the Packers...Even Packer fans know the Lions got robbed.....Wow. #DETvsGB pic.twitter.com/kvil5s2X0I
— Wolverine 〽️🏈 (@JohnBlazeWolver) October 15, 2019
@NFL I’m not a lion or a packer fan but how is this illegal hands to the face on the lions? I see two packer players with hands to the face.. you? #garbage pic.twitter.com/erOJ02MwhU
— Reuts (@TReuts84) October 15, 2019
Lots of mixed emotions this morning ... Can you relate? 🙋🏼♀️ https://t.co/Xp8fxx70OL pic.twitter.com/ltzQ4BCBbY
— Jennifer Ann Wilson WXYZ (@JennaWils) October 15, 2019
Green Bay won on a 23-22 last-second field goal.
