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The Lions’ Campbell makes amends and gives Goff the game ball for the record

The Lions’ Campbell makes amends and gives Goff the game ball for the record

DETROIT – After Monday night’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted he felt “horrible” for not giving quarterback Jared Goff a game ball to commemorate his NFL-record performance, in which he completed all 18 of his passes.

Campbell said he didn’t initially realize what Goff had accomplished and instead gave the play balls to wide receiver Jameson Williams and safety Kerby Joseph.

But on Tuesday he worked hard to get it right.

“Yes we did, we found one,” Campbell said. “Yes, we have. And look, I usually hand out a game ball right after, and then we usually still have one or two that show up if we do it here the day after the game after a win.

“So it was easy to get him this one. It’s a great job. And (Lions offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson) got it too.”

Goff also couldn’t hold on to the ball on the first touchdown reception after catching a 7-yard pass from teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown at 6:57 of the third quarter in Monday’s 42-29 win. Instead, he started it in the Ford Field stands, which was also impressive for Campbell.

“Oh, I saw it, it was incredible, it was outstanding,” Campbell said. “It was a crazy throw. At first I thought he was hitting (Lions mascot) Roary.”

Goff finished with 292 passing yards and two touchdowns, helping Detroit move to 3-1. He also recorded an overall QBR of 95.1, which was the highest by a Lions QB in a game since the metric was introduced in 2006, according to ESPN Research.

His 16.2 yards per attempt was also the most of any player in a game with at least 10 passes in “Monday Night Football” history.

“I’m just glad we won,” Goff said after the game.

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