Eric Woodyard
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Gamers contained in the Detroit Lions locker room took offense at an NFL Movies video that was launched, then deleted, on social media involving suspended security Brian Department, claiming it was overly essential.
Lions All-Professional receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was surprised by the content material about Department that was posted as a part of NFL Movies' “Turning Level” on-line collection Thursday. The one-minute video was narrated by ESPN's Louis Riddick and portrayed Department in a detrimental gentle with a montage of lowlights from the Chiefs' 30-17 win over the Lions on Sunday.
“I assumed that video was loopy. I do not know why it was launched, the reasoning behind it,” St. Brown mentioned. “As I used to be watching, I bear in mind it popped up and I used to be like, ‘I do not know if it was like a trick or mockery.' I clicked the NFL, and I did not know if it was truly them. And it was. So I do not know the reasoning why they posted it or what they bought out of that.
“However Brian Department is an superior dude. Within the constructing, he is one of many nicest dudes. He is quiet; you by no means see him actually get mad. He is at all times smiling. He made a mistake and he is aware of it and he apologized, and I do not know why it is nonetheless getting dragged alongside, however I do not suppose that video was proper.”
The NFL suspended Department for one sport with out pay Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct after he struck Kansas Metropolis Chiefs huge receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and set off a short battle on the conclusion of the sport.
Department's one-game suspension was upheld upon attraction Wednesday.
Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader additionally mentioned the video “appeared unusual.”
“If you happen to're saying you do not wish to glorify one thing, you don't need one thing within the sport or this, that and the third, then why launch this new video about it and it is narrated and also you're actually highlighting performs again and again and over,” Reader mentioned. “So, you are shedding extra gentle on it than the web was over one thing that is handed. If you happen to're making an attempt to maneuver on, then transfer on. It does not seem to be that is what y'all was on.”
Reader was additionally shocked by the video's narration and Riddick's selection of phrases, which additionally acquired on-line backlash.
“These issues simply sort of provides you extra readability in my thoughts to see how individuals actually suppose and the way they actually really feel about you,” Reader mentioned. “As a participant, how are you going to belief the [NFL] protect now? If y'all wish to launch this and that is the way you're shedding gentle on it. You have to play to your group, you belief them and the individuals you're employed, however so far as just like the protect, individuals up there in New York? I am unable to belief them.
“I am unable to consider that they are actually gonna have my again or they care about my security or well-being. Individuals who care about you do not try this.”
Riddick released a statement on social media Friday saying that the intent of “Turning Level” is to doc the occasions of a sport good or unhealthy and that there was by no means an try to deliberately solid Department in a detrimental gentle.
“That being mentioned, I can see how the brief clip that was posted could possibly be taken as an try to solid the #Lions or Brian Department in a calculated, unfavorable method,” the assertion learn. “I do not wish to be part of that. I'll remember to make sure that something that has my title connected to it should by no means once more go away room for it to be interpreted that means sooner or later.”
The NFL additionally launched a press release Friday concerning the clip and why it was deleted.
“We would like all of our exhibits to have a definite voice and perspective,” the assertion learn. “Within the case of Turning Level, that voice and perspective is Louis Riddick's. He spends time each week with the present's producers, watching every section and going over the script earlier than narrating.
“That specific sequence felt totally different to us, as a part of a nine-minute breakdown of the Lions-Chief's sport, than it did as a standalone excerpt on social media. On X, it felt overly essential to Brian, so we took it down.”
