With one pathetic interview, former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown tarnished his entire 18-year NFL career.
Everything he stood for, everything he accomplished, it's all gone.
Brown, who played for the Lions from 1985-95, recently admitted that he had intentionally missed a block in hopes of getting quarterback Scott Mitchell injured.
What’s astonishing is that this was no apologetic confession years later. This wasn’t Brown realizing he’d made a mistake when he was younger and wanting to make amends.
No, this was Brown laughing it all off.
The incident took place in a game at Green Bay in early November 18 years ago. The Lions were trailing by 24 points in the second quarter.
Brown, in a radio interview on ESPN, said of Mitchell, “He just stunk up the place. He's throwing interceptions, just everything.”
Brown said he turned to center Kevin Glover and told him, “Glove, that is it. I’m getting him out the game.”
Brown, who made the Pro Bowl six times as a Lion, allowed Packers defensive end Sean Jones to get past him.
“I got the gator arms on the guy at the last minute,” Brown admitted.
Jones put a hit on Mitchell, who suffered a broken finger on his left (throwing) hand and was finished for the season. Backup quarterback Dave Krieg came on and led the Lions to the playoffs that year.
Sadly, Brown showed no remorse during the interview over committing the ultimate sin on an athletic field.
“As you can tell, I’m just not a big fan of Scott Mitchell,” Brown said. “He’s just not on my Christmas list.”
Ha, ha, ha.
Seriously, Lomas?
Brown once was a highly respected athlete in Detroit. Not anymore. That’s all shattered.
Mitchell, who certainly had his share of ups and downs with the Lions, expressed his disgust after hearing about his former teammate’s admission.
“I’m really shocked by it,” Mitchell told Mike Florio, who was hosting the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday morning on radio stations across the country. “For him to do that is reprehensible, beyond words.”
Mitchell said he used to invite the entire offensive line, including Brown, over to his home for dinner. He said he considered Brown, now 49 years old, a friend before this story came out.
“When you mess with my family, mess with my livelihood, mess with my health, it’s unacceptable,” Mitchell said.
“To try to get someone hurt, it’s just mindboggling.”
Current Lions center Dominic Raiola said he's never suspected or heard about anything similar happening during his 12 years in the league.
"That's bush league," Raiola said of what Brown did. "That ain't cool."
Quarterback Matthew Stafford added: "I'm just glad he's not blocking for me."
