Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs recently found himself at the center of attention due to an accidental mistake that sparked discussions among fans and media.
After the Lions’ Thanksgiving win over the Chicago Bears, a photo emerged online showing Jermar Jefferson in front of a whiteboard displaying key offensive details.
The image quickly went viral on social media, leading to concerns about potential advantages it might offer opposing teams. Head coach Dan Campbell was made aware of the photo, prompting questions about how the team would handle the situation moving forward.
After Sunday’s practice, Jefferson spoke with Sports Illustrated to share his thoughts. He downplayed the issue, calling it a minor error, saying, “Not really. It was a mistake. I feel like it was a mistake.”
Although the coaching staff hadn’t formally addressed the matter, Jefferson said players had already discussed it among themselves. “It hasn’t really been talked about. Just as backs, as the players, we’ve been talking about it. That’s about it though.”
As of Sunday afternoon, Sports Illustrated reported that the Lions coaching staff had not yet spoken with Gibbs but were expected to address the issue soon.
Jefferson stressed that the team had taken the incident seriously and would ensure such mistakes didn’t recur. “Yeah, exactly. Something quick. Yeah, just, ‘Don’t do it again,’ type thing,” he remarked.
Although the photo raised concerns, Jefferson assured that the whiteboard’s content frequently changes. “It changes up every week,” he noted. “We don’t just go by those protections on the board.”
Moving forward, the Lions plan to emphasize the importance of maintaining team confidentiality and ensuring no similar leaks occur. This incident underscores the critical need for discipline and privacy, especially as NFL teams strive to excel in a highly competitive league.
