With less than two minutes to go against the New England Patriots and facing a 25-point deficit, the Detroit Lions decided to throw in the towel and kneel out the remainder of the clock. Center Dominic Raiola had other plans, however. After snapping the ball, Raiola dove at the knees of Patriots defensive tackle Zach Moore.
Dominic Raiola’s cut block was ‘bonehead play,’ says Vince Wilfork
11-year veteran Vince Wilfork said Dominic Raiola’s attempt to injure Zach Moore was “stupid” and a “bonehead play.”
Raiola admitted after the game it was retaliation for the Pats decision to go for a touchdown late in the game. Vince Wilfork wasn't buying it.
Even though the Patriots defensive tackle wasn’t the target of Raiola’s attempt to injure, the 11-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler had something to say about the cheap shot, via the Detroit Free Press.
“I just heard what happened, but that was stupid,” Wilfork said. “... You’re taking a knee. They’d get mad if we were just to blow up one of their players, so I mean, it’s just uncalled for. But at the same time, you always have to protect yourself, so you always have to play with your neck on a swivel and being alert for 60 minutes, and it came down to it today on a bonehead play like that. But luckily no one got hurt and we can move on.”
There was no penalty and Moore wasn’t injured, but the NFL is expected to fine Raiola for his actions.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick also responded to the play, taking a jab at Raiola:
"Sure there was a lot of frustration there with Raiola. He's never beaten us. Tough day for him." - Belichick with subtle tweak of Lions C
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) November 24, 2014 Raiola received complaints last year when he allegedly went on a tirade against the University of Wisconsin Badger Band during warmups at Lambeau Field before a game between the Lions and Green Bay Packers. The band's director described the tirade as "pretty strong verbal abuse" and said the unprovoked rant included obscene and homophobic comments.
The center received fines earlier in his career with the Lions for an obscene gesture and obscene comments, both directed at fans.
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