After Netflix dropped the trailer for Quarterback Season 2, it didn’t take long for Jared Goff to go viral. The Detroit Lions quarterback offered a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of the team’s most creative play from 2024, a fake stumble-fumble design called “StumbleBum.” And yes, the name was real.
What started as a wild idea in Ben Johnson’s office turned into one of the slickest touchdowns of the 2024-25 season, and Goff didn’t hold back in explaining how it all came together.
How Did Ben Johnson Create the Lions’ ‘Stumblebum’ Trick Play?
Goff revealed the details of the play while speaking in the new Quarterback trailer posted by Netflix Sports on X. “That play was called StumbleBum,” Goff said. “That was a Ben special. He came up with that one.”
According to Goff, the idea began on a Monday when offensive coordinator Ben Johnson showed him a clip of Jordan Love fumbling a snap, picking it up, and throwing a wide-open touchdown to Luke Musgrave, a play that actually happened on September 10, 2023.
“He said, ‘You think you could do this?’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean? Like, fumble?’” From there, the concept evolved.
The origin and practice that went into Stumblebum, one of the greatest trick plays ever by the Detroit Lions.
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The strategy was all about misdirection. “All we’re trying to do is get the guy who’s running with the sneaky, it’s T.J. Edwards, to take his eyes off it, and then we’re going to sneak behind him.”
By Wednesday, the plan had changed. “By the time we got to Wednesday, we’re like, hey, we’re not going to actually put it on the ground. We’re just going to pretend to fall.”
But Johnson wasn’t done refining the play.
“The running back needs to fall, too. That’s going to sell the play even more,” Goff added. “Everyone up front, you’re going to yell ‘fumble.’”
Goff laughed as he watched the replay: “Look at 53. His eyes are on me. Sam’s running right by him.”
The trick play took place in December 2024, during Detroit’s 34-17 win over the Bears at Soldier Field. In the third quarter, Goff faked a stumble, Gibbs hit the turf to sell the illusion, and Goff connected with Sam LaPorta for a 21-yard touchdown. It was Goff’s 33rd passing touchdown of the 2024-25 season, a career high and one that helped the Lions secure their first 13-win season.
“Crazy,” Goff remarked. “How’d I do that?”
Now with Netflix giving the moment a second life, StumbleBum might be the most iconic fake fumble in recent memory.