"Needed some explanation": Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn't hold back over controversial OPI in "bizarre" ending of Lions vs. Steelers

Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown didn't mince his words while discussing the refereeing decisions in his team's 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 on Sunday. With just 25 seconds remaining in the game, St. Brown caught a pass short of the goal line and flipped it back to quarterback Jared Goff, who scored a touchdown. However, the referees announced an offensive pass interference penalty against St. Brown, which nullified the TD that could have secured the win for the Lions.

After the game, St. Brown opened up on the disappointment of losing a game following a controversial OPI.

"I knew right away after I caught the touchdown (and) the way it got called back, " St. Brown said. "I saw the flag, so, probably, OPI or whatever they call it. And then, for the last one, I saw the flag, too. And I didn't know exactly where, I thought we'd get a replay of the down, but I guess that's not how it goes. "So, it is just unfortunate. I just didn't really know; it was weird after the game. I didn't understand, and I just needed some explanation, but I got it. Never comes down to one play ... we gotta execute better, be overall better."

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As per the referees, they penalized St. Brown because he pushed off a defender to create separation to catch a lateral pass, which negated the touchdown. According to NFL rules, the official explained that St. Brown created an "advantage in catching the pass."

St. Brown finished with 54 yards on four receptions.

ALSO READ: "Lions got screwed by refs," "Most rigged ending": NFL fans rip referees for controversial OPI on Amon-Ra St. Brown in loss vs. Steelers

Amon-Ra St. Brown's Lions will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season

NFL: Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown - Source: Imagn

Amon-Ra St. Brown's Lions (8-7) will face the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) in Week 17 on Thursday. The game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Lions are on a two-game losing streak. Detroit's playoff qualification chances are now very slim. Per NFL.com, the Lions' chances of making the postseason are at 6%.

Edited by Arnold