FOX
- The Lions and Bears kicked of the NFL's Thanksgiving schedule.
- Before the game, the teams took part in an awkward coin toss as both teams attempted to defer.
- After a bit of confusion, the Bears received the opening kick off and went on to win the game.
The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears were both in a giving mood to kick off the first game of the NFL's Thanksgiving slate.
During the coin toss just before the start of the game, captains on both teams attempted to defer the opening kickoff to each other, leading to an awkward bit of pregame action.
Initially, the Lions won the toss and elected to defer their choice until the second half, leaving the Bears to receive the opening kickoff. But when the lead official asked Bears linebacker Christian Jones whether he'd like the ball, Jones attempted to defer the decision back to the Lions.
Thankfully, the confusion was cleared up before a full Abbott and Costello routine broke out, and the game was able to commence.
—Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 25, 2021
It's not the first time the Lions have had to deal with some confusion surrounding the coin toss on Thanksgiving.
On Thanksgiving day in 1998, the Lions and Steelers finished regulation tied, sending the game to overtime. With the coin in the air, referee Phil Luckett had heard Steelers running back Jerome Bettis call "Heads," but Bettis insisted he had called "Tails."
The toss turned up tails, and based on Luckett's interpretation of Bettis' call, the ball went to the Lions, who took the opening possession of the extra period and drove for a game-winning field goal.
—CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 26, 2020
The 1998 incident resulted in an immediate rule change, ensuring that teams made their call on the coin toss before the coin was in the air.
Luckily, this year's Thanksgiving coin toss mishap didn't need a change to the rulebook in order to be resolved.
The Bears went on to defeat the Lions 16-14 on a 28-yard field goal as time expired.
The Bears and Lions kicked off Thanksgiving with an awkward coin toss
Source: Kalayaan News
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