Before Thursday night’s game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, a Lions fan was involved in a heated confrontation with head coach Matt LaFleur.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” LaFleur said after the game. “He was trash-talking our players and making a throat-slash gesture. You’re trying to calm the situation down, and then he gets right in my face.

“I thought it was pretty unsportsmanlike. I’ve been on many sidelines, and usually, security handles these situations better. It just seemed like an arrogant fan trying to insert himself into the action. I’d like to see security step in and remove him. He shouldn’t be doing that.”

The fan, however, has spoken out.

The fan explained that he was initially told to return to his seat instead of participating in the pre-game ceremony. Later, he was asked to leave the stadium just before halftime.

He admitted to crossing the line.

“We were about 5, 10 yards from the sideline, just talking to the players, letting them know they were going to lose, telling them we’d beat them twice, at home and here, and LaFleur didn’t like that,” the fan said, according to Channel 7. “Once I made the throat slash gesture, he absolutely lost it, which I understand. I got caught up in the moment, the fans, and the adrenaline, but it was madness.”

“…I love the Lions. I got carried away. I do feel like I might have embarrassed some fans and the organization, but that was never my intention. I absolutely love the team. I’m disappointed things went this way, but I’m happy we got the win,” he said.

In the end, his team emerged victorious with a 34-31 win – their 11th straight.