LiAngelo Ball blamed for Lions loss: Why NFL fans think Gelo performing new song cost Detroit

The Lions' magical season ended with a disappointing divisional-round loss to the Commanders, and fans are blaming the Ball.

No, fans aren't suggesting that Detroit's five turnovers were a product of a slippery or deflated football. They are suggesting a pregame performance from LiAngelo "Gelo G3" Ball is the reason Detroit couldn't keep the momentum rolling from the best regular season in franchise history.

LiAngelo, the middle brother of NBA players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, performed his hit song "Tweaker" ahead of the game.

Didn’t have Gelo on my NFC Divisional bingo card pic.twitter.com/5bCFDsKvnB

— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 19, 2025

The performance was a departure from the normal proceedings of a Lions game at Ford Field, and the team's performance was also uncharacteristic. Here's how fans are drawing parallels between the two facts.

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NFL fans blame Lions loss on LiAngelo Ball

Among the masses to blame Ball was Grammy Award-nominated rapper and newfound sports analyst Cam'ron, who left a NSFW voice memo to the Lions on Instagram. In the brief rant, Cam'ron told the Lions they were better off getting a Detroit-based artist like Big Sean or Eminem to grace the field.

Cam'ron really out here blaming Gelo for the Lions loss 💀 pic.twitter.com/5qt5otGMMm

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 19, 2025

Boston-based sports radio personality Kendra Middleton said the Lions were "doomed" once they let Ball perform.

The Lions were doomed after they let Gelo perform let’s be real

— Kendra Middleton (@KenniMiddleton) January 19, 2025

Others thought the doom began even before then.

As soon as I heard Gelo was gonna perform that damn song I knew the Lions was gonna lose… #Raisehail

— A.J. FRANCI$ 💰 (@AJFrancis410) January 19, 2025

Lions were doomed the minute Gelo was seen rehearsing

— Parlay P (@pjandino) January 19, 2025

And to be fair, the rehearsal was pretty uninspiring. The performance was better, but the first impression was not a great one.

Gelo is about to perform “Tweaker” at the Lions vs. Commanders game 😮‍💨🔥
pic.twitter.com/PuH6MMfVc2

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 18, 2025

Ultimately, it's hard to put this one on Ball. While he was sporting Lions gear during his performance, Ball did not actually suit up and do anything else between the lines. 

Why did LiAngelo Ball perform before Lions game?

Ball performed before the Lions game because his song "Tweaker" has become a sensation over the past few weeks.

After a snippet of the song went viral on TikTok, the full song quickly accumulated plays across streaming services and took the sports world by storm. Among those in sports who embraced the song were the Lions, who played the song in the locker room to celebrate their Week 18 victory over the Vikings.

It’s a party in the locker room #OnePride pic.twitter.com/bdDtBS2lMW

— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) January 6, 2025

Is LiAngelo Ball from Detroit?

LiAngelo Ball is not from Detroit. He was born in Anaheim, Calif. and raised in nearby Chino Hills, Calif.

LiAngelo Ball Pistons contract

Ball's familiarity with Detroit extends beyond his playoff performance at Ford Field. He signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Pistons ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season.

Ball went through training camp with the franchise but did not appear in a preseason game. He was waived 12 days after signing with the franchise.

LiAngelo Ball new song, explained

Ball's new song "Tweaker" was released on Friday, Jan. 3, and has been an internet phenomenon since the song was first previewed a week earlier.

The sound of Ball's track drew parallels to Nelly as well as the Big Tymers tandem of Mannie Fresh and Birdman, among many other established artists. The throwback nature of the track contributed to the song quickly becoming popular and a go-to track for sports teams celebrating victories in the locker room.

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