Lions Draw Unpopular, Controversial Official for NFC Title Game

Officiating crew for Lions matchup against 49ers is unpopular.

The Detroit Lions unfortunately drew one of the most unpopular officiating crews in the National Football League. 

On Monday, it was announced that Clete Blakeman will be tasked with officiating the Lions-49ers game Sunday evening. 

Recall, Blakeman drew the ire of Lions fans in the team's 23-22 loss to the Packers back in 2019. 

Former Lions defensive lineman Trey Flowers was controversially called for illegal hands to the face penalties, which ended up proving to be costly for Detroit. 

According to the Free Press, "Blakeman's crew ranks 12th out of 17 officiating crews in flags thrown, per nflpenalties.com. The refereeing crew has thrown 175 total flags in 16 games this season, for an average of 10.9 total flags per game. The distribution is relatively split between flags against home and road teams, with 5.25 penalties per game against home teams and 5.69 penalties per game against road teams."

Detroit was on the wrong end of one of the worst officiating calls this season against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Recall, Brad Allen's crew decided that Taylor Decker had failed to report properly as an eligible receiver. 

As a result, the officials nullified a successful two-point conversion. 

Detroit's loss against the Cowboys cost the Lions the opportunity to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. 

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In the past, despite Commissioner Roger Goodell, league partners, pro-NFL pundits and commentators defending officials, the Lions have been on the wrong end of very controversial calls. 

In 2014 in Dallas, officials incorrectly picked up a thrown flag, after deciding that pass interference should not have been called. 

The Lions are currently road underdogs against the 49ers headed into this year's NFC Championship Game.