Detroit Lions fans’ tweets draw angry chatter from Packers’ Matt LaFleur

On December 6, 2024By Littum

The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers’ animosity apparently predated the game, leading to a shouting match between Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur and a fan wearing a Brian Branch jersey.

In a clip of the pregame festivities at Ford Field, a Lions fan wearing a Brian Branch jersey on the field to help hold the massive American flag over the field during the national anthem was told to “shut up” during a heated pregame moment. The Lions fan gestured with his arms as LaFleur approached before the Packers staff stepped between them.

At the end of the clip, Packers players Jayden Reed, Bo Melton and Josh Jacobs also jawed with the fan, which returned to its place on the edge of the large flag. The moment happened before the Lions and Packers kicked off for their second matchup this season on Thursday night.

The Lions took the first game over the Packers, 24-14, on the road in Green Bay. The other matchup in Detroit has massive playoff implications in the division standings and the NFC as a whole, with Detroit locking up a playoff spot if they can win. A Michigan native from Mount Pleasant, LaFleur had in-state coaching ties at Central Michigan before starting his NFL coaching career.