The Chicago Bears suffered an embarrassing 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving Day thanks to a disastrous final 36 seconds.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took an ill-advised sack on Detroit's 35-yard line with 36 seconds remaining, which set up a 3rd-and-26. With a timeout in their back pocket, the team decided not to use it, letting the No. 1 overall pick struggle to get his teammates lined up.
In the end a last-second pass from Williams fell empty on the Ford Field turf as the team walked off in frustration. That wasn't the only frustrating play for the young quarterback on the night, though.
During the second half, Williams took a hit from Lions linebacker Jack Campbell along the sideline that he took exception to.
“Um, knee’s fine,” Williams said after the game. “Yeah, I ... that play was funky. Just put it that way. I don’t really — you know, I didn’t really appreciate the play. He just kind of dove straight at my knee. So I didn’t really get that. Definitely kind of frustrated about that one, just ‘cause you know, whatever. Yeah, knee’s good. Nothing wrong with it. Think I just got a bruise. But the play was ... the play was funky.”
His complaint drew plenty of attention and longtime NFL star defensive lineman Cam Jordan didn't wait to make his ruling. He bluntly told the rookie quarterback that, "it's football," and made it clear he didn't think the play was dirty.
"It’s football," he said. He launched at hip, if you don’t like it slide or run out of bounds."
Williams finished the game with 256 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 39 yards on the ground.
