The most embarrassing chapter of Stephen Tulloch’s NFL career was written on Sunday, and it cost him the remainder of the 2014 season. The Lions announced on Monday that Tulloch suffered a torn ACL against the Green Bay Packers when he celebrated his sack of Aaron Rodgers by mocking the “Discount Double Check” dance.
Tulloch was removed from the game and said his knee was “sore” afterword. That must have been before he went for an MRI. I’m sure he was hoping the injury would be nothing serious, especially given the way it happened. Despite the unfortunate incident, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he will not discourage players from showing that kind of enthusiasm.
“It’s not going to happen,” Caldwell said. This is an emotional game, we want enthusiasm.”
A lot of people have been bashing Tulloch, and you can understand why. Could he have gotten up quietly and just gone back to the huddle after sacking Rogers? Sure, but saying he “deserves it” is a bit harsh. Tulloch played in 131 straight games prior to the injury — the longest streak among NFL linebackers. That could have happened to anyone. We have an entire tag full of celebration injuries as proof of that.
