ALLEN PARK — Dan Skipper, arguably the most well-known swing tackle in the league, is returning to Detroit after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Lions, according NFL Network.
Over the course of his seven-year career, which has seen him play in Dallas, Denver, New England, Houston, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and, of course, Detroit three times, the journeyman offensive lineman has been released more than twenty times. But under Dan Campbell, Skipper has finally established himself as a reliable swing tackle with the Lions.
He gained notoriety primarily for being central to the officiating issue in Dallas during the previous season. With 23 seconds remaining on a 2-point play that would have given the Lions the lead, Skipper ran onto the court and signaled the formation to the huddle with his hands. A flexed bicep on one arm indicated a jumbo package, as signaled by Detroit, while a gun-shaped hand at his chest indicated a 12-man package, which consists of a running back, two tight ends, and two receivers on the field.
Despite left Taylor Decker being right in front of him to report eligibility, referee Brad Allen mistook these indicators for Skipper reporting as an eligible receiver.
The remainder is known as history. Because Skipper had been mistakenly identified as reporting eligibility, Jared Goff was called for unlawful touching after he successfully completed a throw to Decker in the end zone, seemingly giving the game the lead. Due to their defeat, Detroit lost the game and a crucial playoff seed. (Not that it mattered after Dallas lost to Green Bay in the wild-card round, which assured the Lions of another home playoff game.)
For his part, Skipper accepted his newfound fame in Detroit despite first being perplexed by the decision and then being angry that the league was holding him accountable for Allen’s error. The next time he reported eligible, Ford Field gave him a standing ovation. When he did, in fact, catch a pass in the third quarter of the regular-season finale versus Minnesota, he brought the house down.
