Lions fans pay for billboards mocking NFL referees

The Lions fell to 0-4 after losing to the Seahawks Monday night, but it was the way it happened that has the Lions and their fans most upset.

With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, and the Lions down by three points, Calvin Johnson looked for all the world like he was headed for a touchdown. However Kam Chancellor punched the ball free, causing it bounce towards the back of the end zone. K.J. Wright batted the ball out of bounds, which resulted in a touchback for Seattle. Fortunately for the Seahakws, a penalty for illegal batting was not called, which would have given the ball back to Detroit inches from the goal line since the infraction occurred in the end zone.

NFL head of officials Dean Blandino admitted a penalty flag should have been thrown, but that isn’t making Lions fans feel much better today. A few dipped into their pockets to pay for the above pictured billboards that can be found around Detroit, mocking the NFL’s referees.

Of course, there’s no guarantee the Lions would have gone on to win the game had illegal batting been called, but they atleast would have had another opportunity. Instead, Detroit is the last winless team in the league, a position they are far too familiar with.