Lions WR Kalif Raymond Issues Strong Statement Following Record-Setting Performance

Wide receiver Kalif Raymond claimed a new place in NFL history while helping the Detroit Lions coast to a blowout victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Raymond had a significant influence in both aspects of the game, returning a punt for a 90-yard score on special teams and collecting a touchdown pass from Jared Goff on offense. As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire pointed out, Raymond became the only player in league history to return a punt for a touchdown and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.

After the game, Raymond stated that he felt prepared for the big moment.

 “I’ve been ready for that feeling too many times,” Raymond told reporters. “It’s kind of surreal, it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, oh, it’s happening, it’s happening,’ saying, ‘Don’t mess up, don’t mess up.’ But, no when you got guys like that – I’ve been saying it the past 30-45 minutes – when you got defensive guys who will go play three snaps, force a punt, and then go block on the punt, it’s incredible.”

Kalif Raymond Earned the Game Ball

Raymond’s two touchdowns capped a big win for the Lions, who overpowered the Titans and won 52-14. The veteran receiver started the second half scoring with a 90-yard punt return, and he scored again nearly six minutes later on a six-yard throw from Goff.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated that Raymond deserved the game ball. Campbell also remembered how he and general manager Brad Holmes initially discovered Raymond as he was ready to enter free agency with the Tennessee Titans, sensing great promise.

“Sure did. I told the team, you know, (Kalif) ‘Leaf’ (Raymond) got a game ball in there, obviously, and I told, kind of, just the story of (General Manager) Brad (Holmes) coming into my office in 2021,” Campell said. “And early spring, we were fresh on the job, and he said, ‘Hey, take a peek at this guy from Tennessee. He’s really a returner, kind of gadget. You think there’s a place for him on offense?’ And, I watched about 10 plays, and I was like, ‘Yeah. Absolutely there is, you know. Take this guy in a heartbeat,’ and it’s been a blessing ever since to get Leaf here.”

Campbell described Raymond as a professional who was constant in his training and versatile enough to play in a variety of positions.

Still Room for Improvement

Despite the blowout victory, Campbell admitted after the game that there were still some areas for improvement, particularly in the passing game. However, he stated that the special teams’ outstanding performance more than compensated for it.

“When we play, because we play with three units here, and when a couple of them are cooking at the right time, it can bail out one of your units,” Campbell said. “And when you get them all three playing at the right time, I think you’re very hard to beat. So, I like where we’re at, we’re in a good place. It’s win number six, it’s a perfect setup. We get to go to Lambeau this week, I’m already excited. I know the guys are, and so it was good. That’s a good win.”