CBS Sports: After a contentious expulsion, the ex-Lions safety had a startling and unexpected reply.
Before the 2023 season, the Detroit Lions made a number of high-profile free agency acquisitions, including safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, in an attempt to restructure their secondary.
Due to an injury that kept him out for much of the season and a costly penalty in the NFC Championship game defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, Gardner-Johnson’s move backfired. This season, Gardner-Johnson has continued to stir up controversy after rejoining his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the game, Gardner-Johnson responded to the criticism directed at the 27-year-old’s ejection during Sunday’s defeat to the Washington Commanders.
He was “kicked out for nothing,” according to safety.
During Sunday’s game, Gardner-Johnson was sent off, which was a crucial error that led to his team’s defeat. The Lions and Minnesota Vikings both overtook the Eagles in the rankings when they fell to the Commanders on a last-second touchdown. The Eagles started the day tied for first place overall in the league.
During the game, Gardner-Johnwon received two different flags for unsportsmanlike conduct; the second one was given with 11:24 left in the third quarter. The safety was called and removed, but the replay showed Commanders receiver Dyami Brown pushing Gardner-Johnson in the helmet during the play.
Gardner-Johnson vented his frustration on social media following the game about the decision to kick him out.
“I play with fire and passion, and I was respectfully kicked out for no reason!” In an X post, Gardner-Johnson shared. “What did you expect? The guys were chirping all day!”
There was substantial disagreement around the decision to expel Gardner-Johnson, particularly after Brown struck him. Ed Kracz of SI.com criticized officials for what he saw to be an unfair ruling.
Kracz added, “That being said, referee Shawn Smith deserves some scrutiny for what happened.” “For some reason, the referee decided to call an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Eagles safety after Gardner-Johnson’s helmet came off after the Commanders’ Dyami Brown punched him, landing it beneath his chin.”
After the game, Eagles safety Reid Blankenship emphasized that Gardner-Johnson supported his friend and indicated that his remarks did not go too far.
According to USA Today, he stated, “I was right there.” However, things do happen while you’re in the hot area.
“I have my man’s back in the end.”
Detroit’s Short Stint for Safety
In his three games with the Lions in 2023, Gardner-Johnson had 17 tackles and three passes defensed. He played in all three games and recorded 12 tackles and one interception after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle in time for the playoffs. However, Gardner-Johnson was called for a blindside hit following an interception in the NFC championship game, and he also occasionally had trouble covering in the playoffs.
The Lions have persisted in their efforts to improve their secondary, which was one of the worst in the league only a few seasons ago. The club utilized both of its first two draft selections on cornerbacks and re-signed veteran cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who was a significant addition in 2023 along with Gardner-Johnson.
