Sports
Sports

A political view of the last play of the Falcons’ 30-26 win over the Lions

Golden Tate of the Lions catches the ball as Brian Poole of Falcons touches him and Tate's knee hits the ground during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on Sunday in Detroit. The play was originally ruled a touchdown with eight second left in the game. but was overturned after the officials viewed the play. With an ensuing 10-second runoff, the Falcons scored a 30-26 victory.
Golden Tate of the Lions catches the ball as Brian Poole of Falcons touches him and Tate's knee hits the ground during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on Sunday in Detroit. The play was originally ruled a touchdown with eight second left in the game. but was overturned after the officials viewed the play. With an ensuing 10-second runoff, the Falcons scored a 30-26 victory.
By Matt Winkeljohn
Sept 25, 2017

The Falcons outlasted the Lions Sunday in Detroit, hanging on for a 30-26 win when the final play of the game was originally ruled a touchdown for the hosts only to be overturned on video review.

Detroit fans were surely crushed, and Atlanta fans relieved, after wide receiver Golden Tate was ruled to have come down short of the goal line. As there were eight seconds left on the clock, and the Lions had no timeouts, a mandatory 10-second runoff on the clocked ended the game to leave the Falcons 3-0 and the Lions 2-1.

One fan used a photos of the play for a meme following the protests of many NFL players to kneel during the national anthem in protest. Tate was among Detroit players to take a knee.

About the Author

Matt Winkeljohn
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (right) reacts with her teammate, guard Rhyne Howard, after a basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Atlanta.  (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Season on the line as Dream brace for elimination game vs. Fever

A victory would secure the Dream’s first playoff series win since 2016 and a return to the semifinals for the first time since 2018.

Fever defeat Dream to even series, 77-60

‘Whole new ballgame’: Dream’s defense cools down Fever in Game 1 win

Second and fourth quarters prove to be the difference in first playoff win in seven years.

The Latest

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (7) hits an RBI single to score Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) during the third inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta TV sports listings

1h ago

Season on the line as Dream brace for elimination game vs. Fever

Fever defeat Dream to even series, 77-60

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Another winning weekend for Falcons, Georgia Tech?

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?