Untold tales from Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s playing career…

Dan Campbell was able to return to the field despite having a torn triceps muscle.

With a knee brace protecting his right arm, tight end Campbell (then with the Detroit Lions) faced the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve, 2006.

Lions quarterback Jon Kitna thought Campbell would go post-corner on the backside with less than three minutes left in the first quarter, but Campbell beat him on a corner post. After making adjustments, Kitna launched a 23-yard touchdown pass. In the rear of the end zone, an overjoyed Campbell celebrated with both arms after making the grab before being surrounded by his Lions teammates.

 

 

“I recall those moments with Dan, and he never once voiced any complaints,” Kitna remarked. “You just know there’s tough, and then there’s Dan Campbell. It’s like having to wear an elbow brace and not being able to straighten your arm and shut people out, but still just kicking people in the tail.”

 

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“Dudes who wear boots and hats are not to be trifled with in Texas, for a reason, bro. Dan is a boot and hat person, so don’t mess with them.”

 

His final stats—11 seasons, 114 games, 91 receptions, and 11 touchdowns—show a career that lasted longer than most but don’t tell the full story of Campbell as a player and the blend of toughness, intensity, intelligence, and humor he brought during his stints with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Lions, and New Orleans Saints.

The touchdown against Chicago would prove to be the last of Campbell’s career, which ended after three more seasons and just four games.

 

“I had a lot of respect for Dan Campbell,” Lions Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson said of Campbell, whom teammates dubbed “RoboCop” in jest because of the large brace on his arm. “He was playing with one arm when I played with him in my first year in 2007,” Johnson added.

 

Since then, Campbell’s football career has expanded into a promising coaching career. Currently regarded as one of the NFL’s rising stars, Campbell played for the 2008-losing Lions team. His attention to detail and no-nonsense approach to coaching have earned him praise from all around the league for helping to turn around Detroit’s fortunes. In December 2023, his team defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-24 to win the division title for the first time since 1993.

 

He likes the game so much that it’s difficult for others to believe it’s real. “I genuinely believe Dan would’ve been one of those individuals that would’ve played as long as he could for free. There aren’t many people who love the game like that,” Kitna remarked. He simply adores balls.

“It seems like that’s the culture he’s developed there; he loves everything about it, he loves teaching it, and he loves being among the guys.”

 

The players, coaches, and friends that Campbell crossed paths with during his college and professional careers will carry on his legacy, but the coach is focused on building memories for a squad that hasn’t won a playoff game in over thirty years. These are a few of their most cherished tales.

“You recognize Betsy as Dan,”

In New York, “Betsy” was with him.

Not to be mistaken with Holly, his wife.

 

It was his ride: a white Chevrolet single-cab pickup truck with a 1990s aesthetic.

One thing Campbell carried from college to the professional level was his ride, which the New York Giants selected him with in the third round of the 1999 NFL selection.

 

The close friend and former Texas A&M teammate of Campbell, Steve McKinney, remarked, “He was proud of it. He loved that vehicle… ol’ Betsy.”

Another former Aggies teammate and roommate, punter Shane Lechler, of the Raiders and Texans, said, “I had to go get him a couple times.” “I don’t know; I assume something happened when he was trying to travel to Glen Rose [Texas], and I had to tow him back.”

 

Campbell’s former Texas A&M teammate Dat Nguyen was amused to find that Betsy made it to the NFL and stayed the entire time Campbell was with the Giants. Dat Nguyen was selected by the Dallas Cowboys six spots later in the same draft class. Although Nguyen is unsure if Campbell drove the truck or had it shipped, he is aware that Campbell was accompanied by Betsy.

 

“I don’t know if it had rust, and I don’t know how he acquired it, but I know we didn’t grow up with much, so I’m assuming it might’ve been passed down from his dad to him,” Nguyen remarked of the beat-up, ugly white pickup. “He rode that for a few years during his time at college.

He laughed and added, “You see, Betsy, you know that’s Dan. If he parked in front of the weight room, that’s Dan.” He’s already started, so you better get in there quickly, or he’s going to be all over you.”

 

Among teammates and friends, Campbell’s truck has become a piece of Texas A&M lore. Randy McCown, the quarterback for the former team, remembers riding with Campbell as a redshirt freshman to the neighborhood Wings’N More restaurant for his Thursday night ritual with teammates McKinney and Hunter Goodwin in 1996.

 

“He questioned what I was doing, but he said, ‘Come on, you’re going with us,'” McCown recounted. “And it was like that mentality of, ‘This is the winning formula; this is how we do it; and you’re going to be expected to go it when I’m not around.'”

 

Probably the most memorable thing about Campbell and Betsy was when a recruit had a terrible visit.

Dan and I were bringing a new recruit out while we were holding a recruiting trip for him. “I really like it here, but I think I’m going to the University of Texas,” the guy responded, and Dan just pulled over, threw him out of the truck, and we drove off,” Lechler said.

 

“You have to leave; you have to get out,” he says. I assumed Dan would drive a mile down the road, turn around, and come rescue him, but we never did. We were also attending an out-of-town party; this was not a fraternity party; rather, it was an event that someone was throwing far from home. Man, it’s [Aggies coach] R.C. next morning. Slocum was furious with us.

 

He never seemed to be happy, even though he wasn’t.

When Campbell reported to training camp as a rookie in 1999, Giants quarterback Kerry Collins was immediately drawn to his 6-foot-5, 265-pound frame.

 

Although his body type and skill set were more suited for a blocking-first tight end, Collins would frequently hit him on bootlegs and short passes over the middle as his role grew.

They connected for five touchdowns between 2000 and 2003, but Campbell’s impact came from blocking and creating space for the running backs. Collins doesn’t remember Campbell being the most talkative teammate in the early going, but his work ethic and intensity were evident from the start.

 

To be honest, I didn’t think he was a really good communicator when he was younger, but wow, has that changed?”He’s really developed into a man who can explain who he is, what he believes, and what sort of coach he is,” Collins said.

 

“He didn’t say it, but a lot of what comes out today is how he was as a football player.”

After the 2001 season, Campbell was a member of the Giants team that played in Super Bowl XXXV. The country lad left a lasting impression on a lot of his teammates.

He is the “grimy” tight end in the 12 and 22 personnel groupings that featured two tight ends, according to former Giants running back Tiki Barber.

 

Barber described him as having a “very fiery attitude. It was always like he was mad, but he wasn’t.” “He simply had an aggressive mentality. It’s what you think of when you picture a football player from the 1950s and 1960s. You think he’s insane, but he’s not; he just has the ability to develop into that type of player.”

 

Michael Strahan, a Hall of Fame defensive end, recalls that Campbell had the same level of intensity every day. He finds a lot of similar characteristics in his coaching approach.

 

Playing with Campbell from 1999 to 2002, Strahan recalled, “I’d walk up to practice and discover there were no days off. I was like, ‘Dude, chill. I need a break.'” “However, there were no days off with Dan, and it’s incredible how he was able to take his outlook on life and apply it to an entire team that, ultimately, always performed passably but not exceptionally well. Now that he has changed that, the team exudes confidence in him and knows he believes in them.”

“I was in such pain, and I was reluctant to tell him.”

Metallica, one of Campbell’s favorite bands, arrived at Ford Field two days before the Lions’ Week 10 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers this season.

But the superfan had to forfeit his attendance because he was getting ready for Detroit’s first game following the bye week.

 

Campbell remarked, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to make that.”

James Hetfield of Metallica posted a picture of himself outside of Campbell’s office on X with the message, “Wish you were here, Coach! Too bad the NFL didn’t grant you that bye we requested,” as a show of respect.

Anyone who knows Campbell knows that he has long appreciated Metallica and frequently listens to the band’s music to stay motivated while working out and around the house.

 

“When I was younger, I had some guitar-playing cousins who would come visit us. I was living in a remote place with dirt roads, and they would come with their electric guitars. They were huge Metallica fans, and they used to play all of their songs,” Campbell recalled. That’s when I started to truly enjoy them, and from then on, they just held up throughout time.

 

“One of these bands that, well, they just kind of always reinvent themselves, don’t they? They simply change and continue to release hits; they never become old or stale. And I adore that. I value that.

This philosophy undoubtedly informs Campbell’s approach to the Lions’ rebuilding. Campbell is constant in his communication with players, rarely becoming monotonous.

 

His undergraduate buddy Lechler recalls that Campbell was always the center of the party and that people hardly ever wanted to go to sleep in front of him because of his occasional practical jokes, which included dousing pals in water and writing on their faces.

 

“I mean, no sleep; of course I felt like s— and then had to go down there,” Lechler laughed. “One night, he made us stay up all night, and the sun came out, and we had to go to a Metallica performance in Conroe [a little over an hour away].” Dan purchased some very nice seats, so we’re like right there and it’s really loud, but I was always afraid to tell Dan, like, ‘Man, this stinks; let’s go home.’ I don’t know how he got the money.

 

“I was really miserable, and I did not want to tell him. It was so loud. You know we’re hungover; we didn’t sleep, and he was up there just enjoying every second of it.”

Man Campbell

The Dallas Cowboys concluded practice early in 2005, the last time they were set to participate in OTAs.

In order to foster togetherness, Campbell located the closest teammate’s home and sent orders for other guys to pick up meat, beer, and other supplies for an unplanned afternoon cookout.

Former Cowboys quarterback Drew Henson stated, “I’m out there in the grocery store getting food, and the other rookies received their assignments, and we went back over there and hung out.” “Yeah, it was kind of spontaneous, but he was the one who suggested that we get together and just hang out since it’s our day, we all have families, and I don’t believe we’ll be here.”

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Henson recalled that Campbell’s alpha male demeanor and aggressiveness on the field earned him the moniker “Man Campbell,” but he also possessed the capacity to back off when needed.

Campbell was reunited with his good friend Nguyen as a cowboy. That season, after a Week 4 loss at Oakland, the seasoned Nguyen sustained a neck injury. He felt comfortable sharing a secret with Campbell on the plane ride home because of their friendship.

“After that season, I informed Dan that I could see the play, but I was unable to get there anymore. At that point, I knew that my time was gone and that I would never be able to play again because I had worked so hard with Dan and them during the winter only to get this opportunity,” Nguyen, who retired, stated. “I discovered that during the game.

You really can’t tell everyone that, isn’t that right? I believe he was somewhat taken aback by it as well. All we wanted was to live.”

Sean Payton, the associate head coach and quarterbacks coach in Dallas, was Campbell’s mentor and relied on him to inspire the offensive unit during the week.

Even in his early years as a player, Campbell was renowned for his grasp of the game and gained a reputation as a tough-minded, blocking tight end that helped teammate Jason Witten become the top pass-catching tight end.

Former Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who spent the 2005 season in Dallas with Campbell, said of Campbell, “He was an awesome teammate, and Danny was one of those guys who was obviously a hell of a player, but his impact as a teammate was a lot more from Monday to Saturday than it was on Sunday.” “And he was obviously a hell of a player on Sundays also, but the intensity, intelligence, and attitude that he brought to practice and to meetings, and all of that from the rest of the week, had an even bigger impact than what he’d done on the field.”

“Considering that, it’s not surprising that he became an incredible coach since that’s exactly what he was when he was a player.”

 

After hiring Antonio Pierce as their full-time coach, what are the Raiders’ next moves?

New Henderson, Nev. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday that the Las Vegas Raiders are moving to formally remove Antonio Pierce’s interim tag off his title and appoint him as the team’s full-time coach.

 

 

Following Josh McDaniels’ firing on Halloween night, 45-year-old Pierce was elevated from linebackers coach. With his post-victory cigar celebrations, he brought life back to the then-stale Raiders locker room, and both players and alumni embraced the team’s culture. Vegas finished the season with a 5-4 record.

 

His nine seasons as an NFL linebacker (2001–04) and nine seasons with the New York Giants (2005–09)—he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006—have shaped his players-first approach. In Super Bowl XLII, he played a crucial role for the Giants against the New England Patriots, who were unbeaten at the time.

 

Nevertheless, the Raiders have two winning records and two postseason trips (in 2016 and 2021) since their Super Bowl XXXVII appearance in January 2003, despite finishing 8-9.

Since taking over the Raiders when his father, Al Davis, passed away in 2011, Mark Davis has appointed seven regular and temporary coaches: Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, and McDaniels. Pierce is the eighth coach in this group.

 

Examining more closely, Raiders writer Paul Gutierrez responds to four significant queries regarding Pierce’s hire, including what happens next. Draft analyst Matt Miller carries the news forward to the draft after national reporter Jeremy Fowler shares his insights on the hiring. Mike Tannenbaum, a front-office analyst, finally assigns a grade to the hire.

 

Why didn’t the Raiders go for a more well-known outside player instead of sticking with Pierce?

Gutierrez: Mark Davis has previously traveled the path of the rock star coach with individuals such as Gruden and McDaniels. Each did not go particularly well, for different reasons.

 

Growing up in Compton, California, and having been a Silver and Black supporter while the team played at the local Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the 1980s and early 1990s, Pierce is familiar with the aura, culture, and legacy of the Raiders. Considering how important being a Raider is to Davis, he played that hand rather effectively.

 

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In this way, Pierce and acting general manager Champ Kelly led a master class, bringing in a plethora of Hall of Fame Raiders players to join the current class in celebrating their season-ending victory over the Broncos in the postgame locker room. From Ted Hendricks to Jim Plunkett, the two-time Super Bowl champion, to Marcus Allen, Mike Haynes, Charles Woodson, Richard Seymour, Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, and Gold Jackets Tom Flores and Fred Biletnikoff, who watched appreciatively from the suites.

 

On the other hand, Pierce expressed his desire that he had “earned” the job instead of “deserved” it. Meanings? Maybe, but that is accurate. Pierce won games and altered the atmosphere and culture. Although the Raiders finished 5-4 and missed the playoffs, Pierce led the team in all but one of their games—including the one in which they trailed the Chiefs by two touchdowns—and they had satisfying victories over the New York Giants (30-6), Los Angeles Chargers (63-21), Chiefs (20-14), and Denver Broncos (27-14), while going 3-1 against the AFC West.

 

And the Raiders’ calling card was defense—for the first time in ages. Speak about reverencing and upholding the legacy, tradition, and mystique of silver and blackdom.

 

How much of an impact did Pierce’s hiring have on the Raiders players?

 

 

Gutierrez: Let me respond to your query with one of my own: How could All-Pros Josh Jacobs, Devinta Adams, and three-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby—who even implied on his podcast that he would demand a trade if Pierce was not retained—possibly go unnoticed?

 

Maybe Davis took a cue from the two years prior, when players openly begged for Bisaccia, including Crosby, but to no effect. Davis preferred McDaniels over Bisaccia as a locker room leader. Davis was more sorry that he hadn’t taken better care of the locker area than that he regretted not hiring Bisaccia.

 

The players’ desires may not have been the tipping point for Pierce, but they did have a greater say in the choices made this time. Adams stated that he would “run through a wall for that man” and that Pierce had his “vote.” Jacobs, an upcoming free agent, stated that Pierce’s return would be a consideration if he decided to re-sign with Las Vegas. And yes, Crosby’s flex could be seen as a subliminal threat that could jeopardize Pierce. They were all contributing elements.

 

Will Pierce’s hiring have an impact on their next GM decision?

 

Gutierrez: The NFL has always adopted a retrograde stance toward coaches holding more authority than their alleged superiors and, occasionally, even hiring their alleged employers. Pierce’s hiring ahead of a general manager would indicate that tendency is continuing. even in light of previous events.

 

Take into consideration: Davis informed ESPN.com that then-GM Mike Mayock would have a 51/49 percentage advantage in personnel decisions over the coach if Gruden resigned in October 2021 following his email controversy and Bisaccia was promoted to interim coach. Davis stuck with GM Dave Ziegler over McDaniels, and at first, he looked more interested in Kelly’s potential to be the interim general manager than he was in Pierce’s potential to be the interim coach.

 

Have those attitudes and roles changed? Since Kelly and Pierce do appear to be close, it’s difficult to say. However, Ziegler and McDaniels were also, and you saw how it transpired.

 

Pierce and rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell grew close. Does O’Connell’s hiring mean he will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2024?

 

Gutierrez: Only if the Raiders take no action in the draft or in the current quarterback market. Therefore, the short answer is no. But hear me out: In a press conference early on, Pierce did refer to O’Connell as his “BFF.” Indeed, it appeared that Pierce’s candidacy was doomed as he continued to play the unreliable and motionless fourth-round pick in a 3-0 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In the last four games for Las Vegas, O’Connell did, however, bounce back with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions.

 

Pierce, who undoubtedly had Davis’ approval when he benched expensive but frequently injured veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of O’Connell, would not, however, go so far as to suggest that O’Connell would be the starting quarterback moving forward. Rather, Pierce stated that he had accomplished enough to be “considered” for the starting position moving forward.