The Packers and Lions got heated before the football was kicked off on Thursday Night Football ... 'cause head coach Matt LaFleur mixed it up with a fan pregame, and the altercation was captured by TV cameras!
The clip starts with LaFleur jawing at a Detriot Lions fan, wearing a Brian Branch jersey, on the Ford Field gridiron ... appearing to yell something along the lines of, "Shut the f*** up," as he walked towards the guy,
Things got "spicy" before Thursday's game between Matt LaFleur and a Lions fan who was on the field to hold the flag for the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/jv1V4smgMx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 6, 2024
LaFleur's players, including Jayden Reed, followed behind their coach ... keeping a close eye on things.
Thankfully, a coach and the refs stepped in before the fan and coach could come face to face.
LaFleur -- who was hired as Packers HC in 2019 -- explained what happened after the 34-31 loss ... telling reporters the Lions fan was runnin' his mouth and being disrespectful towards his players, and it pissed him off.
"I've never been a part of something like that. He was talking junk to our players, giving them the throat slash sign," LaFleur said. "You're trying to de-escalate it and then he gets into my face."
"Usually they police that much better. I thought it was an arrogant fan that wanted to get in part of the action."
LaFleur continued criticizing the Ford Field security, insisting they need to do a better job protecting the visiting team from unruly fans.
"Step in there and get 'em out of there," LaFleur said, "He shouldn't be doing that."