Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell once again turned to his extensive metaphor repertoire to reassure fans as the team’s injury problems continue to mount.
In an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s Costa & Jansen show (via Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit), Campbell compared the team’s current situation to “eating filet” and “forgetting what it’s like when you had nothing and you ate your f–king molded bread.”
.@lions head coach Dan Campbell gave a passionate speech to #lions fans this morning with @costaandjansen pic.twitter.com/c0uUWHPDwl
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) December 17, 2024
Campbell went on to say, “I don’t give a crap whether we gotta win by one point for the rest of the year.”
“And I’m going to be happy about it,” he continued. “We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense and we win by one? You’re going to see smiles on my face. I promise you. If it’s the other way, defensively we give up 700 yards and we win by one point, you’re going to see a f–king smile from my ear to ear, alright? I can promise you. So we’re going to find a way, and we’re going to get it done.”
Campbell first made a lasting impression during his introductory press conference in Detroit, where he famously stated his team would bite off the kneecaps and other extremities of their opponents.
Since then, the coach has proven to be the revitalizing force the franchise needed to shake off years of struggle and pessimism.
Campbell’s current defiant stance amid the Lions’ injury crisis sends a powerful message that will resonate within the locker room.
Despite their 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Detroit remains one of the NFL’s top teams and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. However, doubts about their ability to sustain that level of play are starting to emerge.
Running back David Montgomery (torn MCL) and defensive lineman Alim McNeill (torn ACL) both suffered season-ending injuries in the Bills game, adding to the growing list of unavailable Lions players, especially on defense.
Crossed off all the names that are hurt on the Lions defensive depth chart. This was the initial depth chart from week one. List does not include Cominsky, Lynn, Martin or Moseley as they were already on IR. Up to 19 players being hurt for this group. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/JN8VddCmfY
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 15, 2024
But the Lions are unlikely to dwell on their bad luck, and it seems Campbell won’t let that happen.
If the team goes on to make a deep playoff run, his impassioned speech from Tuesday will become a part of NFL lore.
