“I did exactly what coach told me to do,” Lions Taylor Decker rubbishes ‘illegal touching’ penalty by refs in Cowboys game, insists that he followed the protocol

Quarterback Jared Goff backed Decker's words and claimed that Decker reported, but Skipper did not.

“I did exactly what coach told me to do,” Lions Taylor Decker rubbishes ‘illegal touching’ penalty by refs in Cowboys game, insists that he followed the protocol

Dan Campbell and Taylor Decker (Via ESPN/Yahoo Sports)

The results of Saturday’s football game were shocking to many eyes, as with less than half a minute, the Detroit Lions‘ two-point conversion could have improved the team to a 12-4 season standing, atop the NFC seed. Instead, due to a controversial call by the officials, the Dallas Cowboys scored a narrow victory at 20-19.

In the last 23 seconds of the game, the Lions decided to move forward with a two-point play as head coach Dan Campbell didn’t want to go with overtime as it was too risky and could jeopardize the Lions’ divisional title hopes.

Therefore, the two-point was the right decision, as quarterback Jared Goff found offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who caught the catch and led his team to 21-20. But here’s a twist!

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Referee Brad Allen flagged the tackle, claiming he was not reported as eligible; instead, backup tackle Dan Skipper was. As a result, Decker was called for an illegal touching penalty that annulled the initial play of the two-point conversion.

Inside the locker room, offensive tackle Decker was asked about his penalty.

All I really want to say on it, just so I don't get myself into trouble, is I did exactly what coach told me to do. Went to the ref, said report, and yeah, I don't know. It was my understanding, too, Dan brings up the possibility of those sorts of plays pregame, so I did what I was told to do. Did how we did it in practice all week.
Tio which he replied

Backing the words of Decker, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback claimed that Decker reported, but Skipper did not. Head coach Campbell was also furious at the call made by referee Allen. When the media asked for his take on the whole controversy, he refused to say anything.

Brad Allen claimed Dan Skipper reported, not Taylor Decker

After the game that resulted in the Cowboys’ victory over the Lions, referee Allen shared the reason why he flagged Decker and negated the two-point conversion. 

On this particular play, number 70 [Skipper], who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible.Number 68 [Decker], who ended up going downfield and touching the pass, did not report.
In his pool report, he claimed

He argued that as Decker did not report to him, he was not eligible to touch the pass, yet he did, and that was a foul.

Taylor Decker spotted talking to Brad Allen
Taylor Decker spotted talking to Brad Allen (Via The Big Lead)

In a video, Decker was seen having a conversation with Allen, who then said something to the opponent’s defense. But Allen clarified that in that conversation, Skipper reported to him, not Decker. And that’s why he went to the Cowboys’ defense to let them know who “has reported as an eligible receiver,” so they will be aware of who has reported.

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