Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper had his number called from the 9-yard line on Sunday. He made sure he was reporting as authorized.
The skipper gained the kind of notoriety few players have in Detroit while at the center of controversy last season. On a trick 2-point conversion attempt against the Dallas Cowboys, Skipper was ruled eligible, but the officials didn’t catch that Taylor Decker was also eligible. Since then, the Lions have often used Skipper as another sideline player, and when the officials announce him as eligible, the Lions crowd usually cheers sarcastically.
There was nothing sarcastic about the Sunday cheer. The Lions run more trick plays than anyone else in the league and they went deep with their game against the Buffalo Bills. The play was for Skipper to peel off and catch a pass from the 9-yard line. Of course, no one covered the 330-kilogram guard and he got to the end for a score.
It wasn’t Skipper’s first career catch. He had a 4-yard gain last season. However, it was his first career touchdown. That’s a great moment for a seven-year NFL veteran whose only claim to fame was being part of last season’s debacle (or being congratulated by Dan Campbell for throwing up).
Skipper probably didn’t expect to be catching touchdowns on Sunday. The Lions called his number when they trailed 21-7, proving that there was no situation in which they wouldn’t run a trick play. And with that, Skipper’s popularity in Michigan continues to grow.