Commanders Legend London Fletcher Breaks Silence on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s “Phantom Punch” Controversy — “No One Loves This Team More Than I Do, But You Can’t Flop Like That. Be a Man.”
Washington, D.C. – November 12, 2025
The fallout from Sunday’s Lions–Commanders clash has taken a fiery new turn after Washington Commanders legend London Fletcher spoke out about the now-viral altercation between Amon-Ra St. Brown and Daron Payne, calling the Lions receiver’s reaction “embarrassing for the game.”
In an interview with NBC Sports Washington on Tuesday, the four-time Pro Bowler — one of the most respected voices in franchise history — didn’t mince words. He acknowledged how much Payne’s suspension hurts the team, but said St. Brown’s exaggerated response after contact was “not how real competitors handle themselves.”
“No one loves this team more than I do,” Fletcher said passionately. “And yeah, losing a guy like Daron Payne is huge — it changes the way we play defense. But you can’t flop like that, man. You can’t act your way into getting someone suspended. This game is built on toughness and respect. Be a man.”
The remarks came hours after Payne posted a slow-motion video on Instagram that appeared to show St. Brown hitting him first before the Commanders star retaliated. The clip sent social media into chaos, with fans flooding timelines under the hashtag #ReviewTheTape, demanding that the NFL review Payne’s one-game suspension.
Here’s the video of Amon-Ra St. Brown swinging on Daron Payne a few plays before Payne swung back and got ejected. This tells the other side of the story. pic.twitter.com/M7jUH9zcGr
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 11, 2025
Still, Fletcher — a former team captain known for his discipline and leadership — urged balance and accountability on both sides.
“I’ve been there,” he continued. “Emotions run high. You get pushed, you get hit — that’s football. But the league has to look at the full picture, not just who swung last. And as a player, you’ve got to know when to walk away. You can’t let pride cost your team.”
Fletcher’s comments have since gone viral, with fans and analysts across Washington praising him for “telling the truth no one else would say.”
The NFL has yet to comment on whether it will revisit Payne’s suspension. Meanwhile, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Detroit Lions have remained silent on the circulating footage that shows his initial contact.
As outrage simmers and debate continues, Fletcher’s message cuts through the noise — a reminder of what old-school football values once stood for.
“You wear that uniform, you represent something bigger than yourself,” Fletcher concluded. “Play hard, play tough — but don’t fake it. That’s not who we are, and that’s not what this game’s about.”













