Caldwell: 'Don't Think Mrs. Ford Is Not Upset' About NFL No-Call
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Of course it happened to the Lions.
That's what fans thought, at least, when Detroit was again on the wrong side of a high-stakes no-call in primetime Monday. Calvin Johnson's fumble near the goal line was hit out of the back of the end zone by the Seahawks' KJ Wright, and officials should have flagged him for an illegal bat. The Lions lost 13-10 in Seattle, and fans have since wondered why this kind of thing seemingly always happens to the city.
But head coach Jim Caldwell isn't of the same mindset. And after sharp criticism from fans and media for refusing to talk about the situation on Tuesday, then instructing his players not to talk about the play, Caldwell admitted on the Karsch and Anderson show Thursday that people within the organization were just as furious – albeit quietly – as fans.
"I think people were kind of expecting our organization to put out a public statement about how egregious that particular no-call was and all those kinds of things," he said. "And don't think Mrs. Ford is not upset. Don't think that she doesn't tell them (the NFL) and give them a piece of her mind, because she's there at league meetings this week or yesterday, and without question, that's done. So we have protocol that we go through."
According to Caldwell, the organization deals with officiating issues and communication with the league office on a weekly basis. And this week has been no different, even as the magnitude and controversy skyrocket.
"But nothing's going to change immediately in this league," he said. "There's legislation and there's a way you have to go about it. But yeah, we get upset. … Oftentimes people want you or me to act a certain way or the team to act a certain way and be all upset and all that kind of stuff. If it did happen and we have guys worried about officiating more than they are playing the game, I think the next thing – at least I would ask the question – is we have no discipline."
That calm and collected mentality displayed by Caldwell is one he is trying to institute in his players as well, especially in the wake of the Lions being at the center of yet another controversial no-call.
No matter how many times Lions fans have dealt with these situations, Caldwell says he won't fixate on it or feel sorry for his team.
"I get angry. I get upset," he said. "I'm normal. I'm human. And we all have those same exact feelings. But the thing that I won't do is dwell on it. I don't play the victim."
