ALLEN PARK — Dan Skipper, arguably the most well-known swing tackle in the league, is returning to Detroit after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Lions, according NFL Network.
Over the course of his seven-year career, which has seen him play in Dallas, Denver, New England, Houston, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and, of course, Detroit three times, the journeyman offensive lineman has been released more than twenty times. But under Dan Campbell, Skipper has finally established himself as a reliable swing tackle with the Lions.
His most well-known role was in the center of the officiating scandal in Dallas during the previous season. With 23 seconds remaining, Skipper raced onto the court and used his hands to transmit the formational signals into the huddle on a 2-point play that could have given the Lions a lead. Detroit’s signal for a jumbo package is one arm raised in the air with a flexed bicep, and the signal for 12 personnel, which consists of a running back, two tight ends, and two receivers on the field, is the other hand shaped like a gun close to his chest.
Referee Brad Allen disregarded left Taylor Decker, who was standing right in front of him to declare eligibility, because he read these indicators as Skipper reporting as an eligible receiver.
History is what’s left. After Jared Goff successfully found Decker in the end zone for what seemed to be the game-winning touchdown, Skipper was mistakenly reported as eligible to report, and Goff was called for improper touching. Detroit lost the match, and as a result, forfeited a crucial playoff seeding. (Not that it mattered until Dallas fell to Green Bay in the wild-card round, giving the Lions another opportunity to play in the postseason at home.)
As for Skipper, he accepted his newfound fame in Detroit but was also initially perplexed by the decision and later irritated by the league holding him accountable for Allen’s error. The following time he reported eligible at Ford Field, he brought the house down with a standing ovation.
“It was fantastic, dude,” head coach Dan Campbell exclaimed. “Skip is loved by all, right?”
And as of right now, Skip reports that he is qualified for one more Detroit season.
