The Detroit Lions earned a thrilling 23-20 Thanksgiving victory over the Chicago Bears, but postgame discussions centered on a contentious moment of aggressive football and its tactical origins.
In Wednesday’s episode of The St. Brown Podcast, hosted by Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous, Amon-Ra disclosed fiery instructions from head coach Dan Campbell about Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Known for his crafty playmaking, Williams often flirts with the sidelines, feigning out-of-bounds runs to extend plays. St. Brown recounted Campbell’s blunt directive during film study. “He said, ‘If he does that, we’re going to hit his (expletive),'” St. Brown recalled, adding, “I already told the refs, they know.”
The game’s pivotal moment came when Lions linebacker Jack Campbell delivered a hard, low hit on Williams as the quarterback maneuvered near the sideline.
The collision left Williams momentarily shaken but able to continue. Bears players demanded a penalty, while Lions players defended the hit.
“Bears players were like, ‘What the (expletive), where’s the flag,’” St. Brown explained. “We were like, bro, he went out and came back in.”
While critics called the hit dirty, others pointed to Williams’ risky fake-out move that drew contact.
The play symbolized the physical edge of Dan Campbell’s Lions, who lead the league with an 11-1 record and a 10-game win streak.
For the 4-8 Bears, moments like this reflect the hazards of Williams’ daring style. Meanwhile, the Lions cement their status as NFC powerhouses under Campbell’s tough-minded leadership.
