NFL referee Carl Cheffers explains lengthy, controversial ending in Lions vs. Steelers

by: Brian Jones 23 hours ago brianjones_93

The Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game had a wild finish, and referee Carl Cheffers explained what happened. After the game, pool reporter Nolan Bianchi spoke to Cheffers, and he asked him what led to an offensive pass interference call on Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on the final play.

“The official who called the foul said that the receiver created separation that gave him an advantage in catching the pass,” Carl Cheffers said, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. So, he called pass interference.

ONE OF THE CRAZIEST ENDINGS IN #NFL HISTORY.

THE ENTIRE TWO-MINUTE VIDEO OF THE EPIC #STEELERS – #LIONS GAME.

Multiple Detroit touchdowns were called off by the refs.

The fans had thought they won the game.

Players were absolutely stunned.

INSANITY. pic.twitter.com/wnvO2S4mSb

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 22, 2025

The Lions were down 29-24 with eight seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. At the Steelers’ nine-yard line, Lions QB Jared Goff threw an eight-yard pass to St. Brown, who then lateraled the ball to Goff, and he ran in it for a touchdown. It looked like the Lions won the game, but after the officials gathered for a long discussion, the touchdown was nullified because St. Brown was called for offensive pass interference. As a result of the penalty, the game ended, and the Steelers earned the 29-24 victory.

Carl Cheffers shares more on the Lions-Steelers ending

Cheffers was asked what the officials were discussing after the final play. “It is a pretty complex play,” he said. “We had the original player, who had the ball, lose possession of the ball. So, we had to decide if that was a fumble or backwards pass because, of course, we have restrictions on the recovery of the fumble inside of two minutes. We ruled that it was a backwards pass, so the recovering player was able to advance it, and that recovering player advanced it for a touchdown.

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