The Detroit Lions Win Thanks to a “Stumble Bum” Trick Play
In the unpredictable world of professional football, where strategy, preparation, and skill are paramount, it’s rare for a single moment to leave fans and analysts alike in complete disbelief. But that’s exactly what happened during a late-season game when the Detroit Lions executed a “stumble bum” trick play that would become an instant classic in NFL history.
The stage was set. The Detroit Lions, with a playoff berth in sight, were facing one of their most challenging opponents of the season, a seasoned team known for its defensive prowess and playoff pedigree. The game was tied with mere seconds left on the clock, and the outcome was hanging by a thread. Everyone expected a conventional approach, perhaps a quick pass or a field goal attempt to seal the victory. But what they witnessed was far from ordinary.
The Setting: A High-Stakes Game
The Lions, having been in and out of playoff contention for the past few years, found themselves in a critical matchup against a team that was a perennial Super Bowl contender. This game was not just another regular-season contest—it was a potential turning point for the franchise. With the score tied at 24-24 and the clock ticking down, the Lions’ coaching staff, led by head coach Dan Campbell, had to make a decision: play it safe or go for broke.
A playbook stuffed with traditional plays wouldn’t cut it in this scenario. The defense was strong, and the team needed something unique to break the deadlock. Enter the “stumble bum.”
The “Stumble Bum” Trick Play
The trick play wasn’t something the Lions had used all season, nor had it been seen in the NFL for quite some time. It was a play that defied traditional expectations, leaving many in the stands—and likely some of the Lions’ own players—questioning what they had just witnessed.
As the offense lined up for what seemed like a routine play, quarterback Jared Goff stood behind center with his usual composure. But this time, something felt different. The offensive line was in a slightly staggered formation, and wide receivers were positioned unusually close to the line of scrimmage. The crowd was unaware, but this was going to be a play like no other.
Goff snapped the ball and immediately dropped back as though preparing for a typical pass play. The defense, ever vigilant, rushed forward, anticipating a quick throw. But Goff didn’t throw the ball. Instead, he suddenly stumbled. His foot caught on an unseen part of the field, causing him to trip slightly, as though falling off balance. This wasn’t part of the plan, at least not in the way it was perceived. His awkward stumble caught the defense off guard, and they hesitated for just a split second. They thought it was a mistake.
In that instant, Goff recovered his footing, but not before the defenders began to lose their focus. That’s when the real magic of the trick play began to unfold.
As the defensive line closed in, Goff, with a wide grin on his face, suddenly launched the ball—not to a receiver, but to none other than wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had been motioning across the formation. St. Brown, already in full sprint, caught the ball on the run, having already tricked the defense into thinking he was a decoy. He was now racing toward the open field.
But the real genius of the play was yet to come.
The Execution of the Play
As St. Brown dashed downfield, a defender closed in on him with the intent to bring him down before he could break free for a game-winning touchdown. However, what happened next left everyone stunned. St. Brown, with a mixture of instinct and audacity, performed a perfectly timed lateral pass to running back David Montgomery, who had snuck in behind the play as if he were a second receiver.
The “stumble bum” trick play had worked like a charm.
Montgomery, now in possession of the ball, darted past a flustered defender who had been caught out of position. With only the defensive backs standing between him and the end zone, Montgomery made a final cut to the outside, narrowly evading a desperate tackle attempt. He cruised into the end zone with just seconds to spare, securing an improbable victory for the Lions.
The crowd erupted in disbelief, a mixture of cheers, shouts, and awe-filled gasps. Players on the sideline rushed onto the field, engulfing Montgomery in a jubilant celebration. The Lions had pulled off a victory in the most unexpected way possible, thanks to a trick play that would be remembered for years to come.
The Aftermath: Breaking Down the Play
In the aftermath of the game, analysts scrambled to understand exactly what had just happened. The play was unlike anything the NFL had seen in recent memory. Was it pure luck? A fluke? Or was it the culmination of careful planning and a deep understanding of psychology and deception?
A closer examination revealed that the “stumble bum” play was, in fact, a carefully crafted masterpiece. Head coach Dan Campbell, known for his unconventional approach to the game, had spent weeks refining the concept with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The idea was to create a moment of uncertainty, to lull the defense into a false sense of security, and then exploit the slightest crack in their coverage.
The key to the success of the trick play lay in the fact that the defense had already mentally committed to the idea that Goff had stumbled and was not in control of the situation. This brief moment of perceived chaos allowed St. Brown and Montgomery to execute their parts of the play with near perfection.
The fact that Goff’s stumble was so convincing made the play even more brilliant. It wasn’t just a scripted misstep—it was a subtle, intentional move designed to create hesitation. The best trick plays work because they confuse the opponent, and that’s exactly what happened here.
Analysts would later point out that Campbell’s play was not only about deception but also about timing. The Lions had worked hard all season to understand the psychological elements of football, and this play reflected that understanding. Campbell had studied the opposing defense meticulously and knew that, in high-pressure situations, players often react with a sense of overconfidence. By introducing a seemingly random and chaotic element, he turned the tables on a defense that had been dominating the game.
A Defining Moment for the Lions
The impact of the trick play on the Lions’ season was profound. Not only did the victory give them the momentum to close out the regular season with a playoff berth, but it also redefined their identity as a team. The Lions were no longer seen as underdogs—they were a squad willing to take risks and embrace the unpredictable. The “stumble bum” trick play became a symbol of their approach to football, a bold and fearless attitude that would carry them into the postseason with newfound confidence.
As for Jared Goff, the quarterback who had initiated the chaos with his stumble, he became a hero in Detroit, celebrated for his poise under pressure. St. Brown and Montgomery, too, earned their place in Lions’ lore, having been key parts of the most audacious play in recent memory.
The “stumble bum” trick play, though risky and unorthodox, proved that in football, sometimes it’s the unexpected that leads to greatness. It was a play that would be remembered for generations, not just because of the spectacular nature of the moment, but because it embodied everything the Detroit Lions stood for: resilience, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of victory, no matter the odds.
