Lions RB CJ Anderson Reportedly Investigated by Police After Altercation With Referee at Youth Game

CJ Anderson is catching some flak for how he conducted himself at a youth football game.

The Detroit Lions running back was reportedly investigated by police after an alleged violent altercation with a 38-year-old referee during a 14-and-under football tournament back in March, though no charges have been filed.

Anderson, 28, also maintains that he never touched the official in question. The two apparently got into a heated exchange after the referee made a call on the field, and according to police, Anderson ultimately ripped the official's whistle out of his mouth and threw it on the ground.

It's certainly not a good look for Anderson. Though he is a professional football player who knows the game quite well, getting into such a heated exchange with an official during a youth football tournament comes off as childish.

It's also not a good look for the Lions, who will in all likelihood call upon the seventh-year running back to be the key piece of their ground game. With Zach Zenner out of the picture, they'll need him out on the gridiron doing his best to replicate his performance from 2018 which saw him average six yards per attempt.

With Kerryon Johnson as the unquestioned starter, the Lions need Anderson for depth reasons, as without Zenner there remains a significant gap in production after the backup role.

But in spite of the entire debacle, Anderson remains undeterred. He won't let it distract from his football, and according to his agent, he won't let it prevent him from coaching youth teams again.