WATCH: Video of C.J. Gardner-Johnson waving goodbye to 49ers fans during second quarter goes viral after Lions’ bizarre Championship Game loss

The Lions ended up suffering a defeat against the 49ers on Sunday.

WATCH: Video of C.J. Gardner-Johnson waving goodbye to 49ers fans during second quarter goes viral after Lions’ bizarre Championship Game loss

C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebrated early against the 49ers (Images via screengrab/X)

There’s a popular saying that goes ‘never count your chickens before the eggs hatch’. Well, it seems like the Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson hasn’t heard about that saying. During the Lions’ decisive playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions DB counted the chickens before they hatched, or in sports terms, he celebrated too early.

With just under 6 minutes left in the second quarter, the Lions held a solid 20-7 lead and were dominating the Niners at the Levi’s Stadium. Many Lions fans, who were watching the game, including Eminem, must’ve felt pretty good at that time.

YouTube video

However, players know it isn’t over until the clock hits zeros. But, surprisingly, the Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson hit the victory parade during the second quarter itself. In a short video that went viral on social media, Gardner-Johnson could be seen waving goodbye to San Francisco’s home crowd while the Lions held a 13-point lead with more than 2 full quarters left in the game.

FS Video

The short video was later shared by many Niners fans after their team orchestrated a comeback in the second half. Check out the footage of Johnson’s celebration attached below.

As previously mentioned, after Gardner-Johnson’s taunting celebration, Brock Purdy and the 49ers made a remarkable comeback and secured a 34-31 victory against the Detroit-based football team. The Niners outscored the Lions 27-7 in the second half of the playoff game.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson had a poor outing against the 49ers and even committed a personal foul just to get back at the Niners wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Gardner-Johnson and Samuel have been beefing with each other for many months and the Lions defensive back couldn’t control his emotions when they finally met on the field.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel taunts C.J. Gardner-Johnson after defeating the Lions

During the heated playoff game between the Lions and the 49ers, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson committed a personal foul by blindside-blocking wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Lions 49ers
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Via Imago)

Following the game, the talented wide receiver taunted Gardner-Johnson in the post-game press conference. Samuel said that was the only way Johnson could get back at him.

You gotta get me when I ain't looking. That's the only way you gon' get me.
Deebo Samuel told reporters

Ahead of the game, the Lions head coach Dan Campbell‘s only advice for Gardner-Johnson was to not get flagged during the game. But the defensive couldn’t control his emotions.

Nonetheless, now it’s time for the Niners to move past the Lions and focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, who they are set to face in the upcoming Super Bowl game on February 11, 2024.

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