Lions Newcomer Fined $10K for Off-Day Commercial Shoot Before Dolphins Game

Detroit, MI – August 16, 2025 –
The Detroit Lions have sparked conversation just days before their preseason meeting with the Miami Dolphins after issuing a hefty fine to a recent addition for an off-day move that clashed with team expectations.

According to team officials, the penalty followed a non-football promotional appearance less than 48 hours before kickoff. While such activities are permitted under league rules, the Lions deemed the timing unacceptable within their preparation framework.

The decision to take part in the shoot so close to game day quickly caught the attention of coaches and teammates. In Detroit’s program, every hour leading up to kickoff is considered part of the competitive build-up.

"When you wear the Honolulu blue and silver of the Lions, every decision you make must serve one purpose — victory. An off-day isn’t for chasing the spotlight, it’s for being ready to give everything on game day," Head Coach Dan Campbell told reporters.

The player involved, D.J. Reed, reportedly spent several hours filming a commercial for a popular sportswear brand at a downtown Detroit location. The Lions saw it as a distraction from the recovery and mental prep needed in the final stretch before a game.

Detroit has long discouraged any commercial or off-field commitments during the critical 72-hour pre-game period, believing that minimizing distractions maximizes both focus and performance.

Reed is still expected to see the field against the Dolphins, though the fine has placed him under an early microscope. Coaches will be monitoring whether his on-field play reinforces his commitment to the team’s goals.

For a Lions squad looking to build momentum early, fans will be hoping this is a brief misstep — and that Reed’s headlines in Detroit soon shift back to the plays he makes between the whistles.