Matt LaFleur Had To Be Separated From Lions Fan In Pregame Confrontation
The Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions rivalry has always been intense, and in recent years, things have ratcheted up with both teams being good at the same time.
Tonight, the 11-1 Lions are hosting the 9-3 Packers at Ford Field, and the intensity was palpable on the field before the game, with Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur getting into it with a Detroit fan. Yes, you read that correctly.
247Sports' Daire Carragher caught the incident unfolding in real time, with LaFleur giving the man some choice words. According to Carragher and the pregame broadcast, the fan, who was wearing a Brian Branch jersey, was on the field as part of the national anthem ceremony.
Thankfully, Packers staff members and players and game officials stepped in before things got out of hand.
We'll have to see what LaFleur has to say about this postgame, as he'll surely be asked for his side of the story.
In addition to getting into it with an opposing fan, LaFleur was also widely praised on Amazon's pregame show for his work the last two seasons.
"It wasn't that long ago we were talking about 'Who is Matt LaFleur when Aaron Rodgers leaves the Green Bay Packers?'" Amazon analyst Andrew Whitworth said. "Well, Luke Getsy's been fired twice, Nathaniel Hackett's failed twice and Aaron Rodgers has four wins in two years as a Jet. Matt LaFleur, at worst, has nine wins two seasons in a row. He's won a playoff game. I think we know exactly who Matt LaFleur is, and that's a hell of a football coach."
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
So far, the Lions have gotten off to a faster start tonight, taking the opening kickoff and driving downfield for the first touchdown, a short run by David Montgomery.
Green Bay had to punt near midfield on its first possession, but after forcing a 3-and-out, the Packers just got the ball back with excellent field position.
Catch the game on Amazon Prime Video.
