Skip to main content
SI

Lions’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Immediately Rubbed INT in Baker Mayfield’s Face With Petty Move

The Lions DB kept things petty with Mayfield after trash-talking him.
Tim Capurso|
Lions’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Immediately Rubbed INT in Baker Mayfield’s Face With Petty Move
Lions’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Immediately Rubbed INT in Baker Mayfield’s Face With Petty Move

In this story:

Detroit LionsTampa Bay Buccaneers

Detroit Lions defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson wasted no time letting Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield know he had just made a play on him. 

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, as he’s more commonly known, and Mayfield traded words in the lead-up to the Lions-Buccaneers clash in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday, with the former shading the latter by saying Tampa Bay would be “great” if they had a “good QB.” The Buccaneers’ signal-caller fired back by saying he didn't think the Lions defender has "watched film." 

Well, Gardner-Johnson put his money where his mouth is early on in the Lions-Buccaneers game, as he intercepted a Mayfield pass in the first quarter, then rubbed it in the Tampa Bay QB’s face immediately after, flipping the ball back to him in a disrespectful move. 

Here's the play by Gardner-Johnson, who was in the right place at the right time. 

And here's a closer look at the petty move by Gardner-Johnson, who clearly didn't forget what Mayfield had said. 

Gardner-Johnson missed much of the Lions’ stellar season after tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2. But the Cocoa, Fla., native, who recorded six interceptions a year ago with the Philadelphia Eagles, can be a difference-maker when healthy. 

Or when he’s trash-talked. 

Published | Modified
Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.

Home/NFL