Campbell complimented Williams for coming back from the early penalty.

On Sunday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered wide receiver Jameson Williams some tough love. Williams was flagged for a taunting penalty early in the game after catching a short pass and spinning the ball in front of Chicago’s bench after being shoved out of bounds by Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson.

Following the play, the FOX broadcast showed Campbell speaking with Williams on the sideline, probably appealing that their team cannot afford any more such flags.

This was the second time Williams had been punished for taunting Stevenson this season.

Campbell was asked about the coaching moment after the game. He expressed his pleasure in Williams after he recovered from the penalty, which featured an 82-yard touchdown reception on a deep pass from Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

“He was excellent. Campbell described his contact with Williams on NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk as positive. “I came over, and it was simply, ‘Look, you can’t give them a free ride.’” He knew. It’s just, “Get it out of the way and get back on the field.” And he was good. That’s what I adore about him. He does not become upset; he simply says, ‘I got it.’ And he gets back in, and it has no effect on how he plays the remainder of the game. He was excellent. I adore where he is right now. “I really do.”

Campbell informed T.J. Lang, a former Lion and current sideline reporter for the team’s radio network, that Williams needed a “a– chewing” to regain his playing time.

Campbell’s motivational talk paid off, as Williams and the Lions raced past everyone for a 34-17 triumph in Chicago, improving their season record to 13-2.

Blake Silverman

Blake Silverman contributes to Sports Illustrated’s Breaking and Trending News team. Before joining SI in November 2024, he wrote on the WNBA, NBA, G League, and collegiate basketball for many websites, including Winsidr, SB Nation’s Detroit Bad Boys, and A10Talk. He graduated from Michigan State University before going on to earn a master’s degree in sports journalism from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, he’s usually binge-watching the latest Netflix documentary, going to a yoga class, or cheering for Detroit sports. He is a longtime Michigander who lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, young kid, and their own petting zoo of two cats and a dog.