By Moses Joshua 
Veteran Rock Ya-Sin Defends Performance as Team Rallies Around Him Following Questionable Call
Ya-Sin Faces Criticism, But Maintains Accountability
Detroit Lions defensive back Rock Ya-Sin found himself at the center of postgame discussion following Sunday’s narrow 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. With just 1:51 left on the clock and the Lions trailing, Ya-Sin was flagged for pass interference on a third-and-8 from the Eagles’ 37-yard line. The call extended the drive for Philadelphia and ultimately sealed the outcome.
Despite the backlash, Ya-Sin remained composed. “I gotta do a better job getting my head around maybe, or attacking the ball. The call, it is what it is,” he told reporters. A seven-year NFL veteran, Ya-Sin refused to let the penalty define his performance, acknowledging his own areas for improvement while maintaining professionalism under scrutiny.
Dan Campbell and Teammates Rally Around Ya-Sin
While Ya-Sin accepted responsibility, Lions head coach Dan Campbell had a different perspective. “I thought he played defense like he did the whole game,” Campbell said. “And I thought he challenged and played it like he did the very first rep that we played man-to-man. So I wouldn’t tell him to do anything different. Man, get up there and challenge, play your style, and that’s it.”
The locker room echoed Campbell’s sentiment. Cornerback Amik Robertson, visibly frustrated by the call, expressed unwavering confidence in Ya-Sin. “Not only me — we all do. We all have confidence not only in Rock but every man on this team has confidence in each other,” Robertson said. “So we’re going to live with it and die about it. So we’re going to go out there, we’re going to tussle, we’re going to be scrappy. It is what it is.”
Officials Explain Controversial Flag
The NFL official who assessed the penalty offered insight into the decision. Game official Alex Kemp told PFWA reporter Zach Berman that the call was due to a grab on the receiver’s arm, which restricted A.J. Brown from making the catch. “So, the ball was in the air, there was a grab at the arm, restricted him, and he called defensive pass interference,” Kemp explained.
Even after the ruling, Ya-Sin opted not to confront the officials directly, saying, “I mean, I let them do their job. I tried to do my job, so it is what it is.”
Bottom Line: Confidence Remains Strong in Detroit’s Defensive Veteran
Although the late penalty drew criticism and ignited debate on social media, the Lions’ organization and players remain firmly behind Ya-Sin. Both Campbell and his teammates are clear: one controversial flag does not overshadow a veteran defender who consistently brings intensity, professionalism, and accountability to the field.
As Detroit looks ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, Ya-Sin’s resolve—and the team’s trust in him—may prove vital in navigating a challenging stretch of games.