By Moses Joshua 
A misunderstood rule, a pivotal mistake, and a surprising admission shake up the Lions’ Week 11 fallout
A Costly Celebration That Shifted Momentum
What should have been a game-changing moment for the Detroit Lions in Week 11 quickly unraveled into a turning point they never recovered from. After Jared Goff hit Jameson Williams on a 40-yard strike—Detroit’s first spark of life against the Philadelphia Eagles—the energy on the Lions’ sideline surged. But within seconds, it all dissolved.
Williams hugged the goal post in celebration and immediately drew a 15-yard penalty. That mistake pushed back the extra-point attempt to 48 yards, and in the gusty Philadelphia winds, Jake Bates pushed it wide. Instead of taking the lead, Detroit remained behind — and the Eagles capitalized, scoring again before halftime and maintaining control for the rest of the night.
It wasn’t Williams’ first penalty or fine for a celebration that crossed the league’s line, but this one carried more weight given its timing and impact.
Criticism Mounts — And One Comment Stands Out
Plenty of frustrations poured in from fans, analysts, and local voices after the game. The most biting came from Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket, who pulled no punches earlier in the week.
“Jamo is an idiot,” Valenti said. “Grow up.”
While the reaction came from a place of exasperation, new information from inside the locker room paints a far more complicated—and unexpected—picture.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Shares a Surprising Truth
On the latest episode of the St. Brown Podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous broke down the moment, with EQ starting the discussion by poking fun at his younger brother’s leadership role.
“Jameson Williams’ celebration. When I saw him do it, I’m like what the f**k is he doing? Did you guys not know penalties in the NFL?”
Amon-Ra’s response, however, was the jaw-dropper.
Despite being fined three times last season for excessive celebrations — totaling over $59,000 — Williams apparently misunderstood one of the league’s clearest rules.
“I don’t even think he knew that was a penalty,” St. Brown said. “He even told me on the sideline, he didn’t know that (the goalpost) was a prop. He wouldn’t have done it if it was a penalty.”
That admission changes the conversation from recklessness to something more concerning: a lack of awareness of basic NFL rules, even after multiple costly run-ins.
A Lesson Learned — or Trouble Brewing?
For a young, explosive receiver whose development has been a rollercoaster, the mistake raises fair questions. It wasn’t malicious. It wasn’t showboating. It was, according to his teammate, simply a misunderstanding.
But misunderstandings can be costly — and this one may have altered the game’s trajectory entirely.
The Lions need Williams’ speed and playmaking, but they also need reliability, discipline, and situational awareness. If this latest misstep becomes a turning point in his growth, it will eventually be forgiven. If not, it may become the moment that symbolized an ongoing pattern Detroit can’t afford.
Either way, Amon-Ra’s revelation adds a strange, unexpected layer to one of Week 11’s most scrutinized plays — and ensures the conversation around Williams is far from over.