Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson accused players from the Detroit Lions of inappropriate conduct during last week's game. The incident occurred during a crucial play in the Bills' 48-42 victory over the Lions, a matchup that some are calling a Super Bowl preview.
With just 12 minutes left in the game and the Lions trailing by 10 points, Detroit's head coach Dan Campbell opted for an onside kick. Buffalo's Mack Hollins successfully recovered the kick and advanced it to the 5-yard line leading to a touchdown on the very next play.
The Lions then did another onside kick in the last two minutes of 4th quarter trailing by 6 points. Johnson jumped on the ball leading to a scrum of about ten players.
Johnson expressed his frustration to reporters about what happened under the pile, stating, "There was a lot of pulling and pinching, and fingers were being put where they shouldn't be."
He emphasized that the Bills executed their strategy effectively despite the chaos.
The physicality of NFL scrums is notorious with retired defensive lineman Fred Smerlas recalling the brutal nature of fumble piles.
"When you have 330-pound players landing on you, it can get pretty intense," he shared in a 2019 interview. "You got guys grabbing your balls, punching you in the chest, gouging your eyes. In the fumble pile, everything gets whacked. You've got 330-pound men jumping on you. Let me tell ya, get hit by guys that size with pads and helmets, and it gets ugly fast."
Bills Cornerback Accuses Lions of Inappropriate Touching During Key Play