DETROIT (AP) — Dan Campbell’s fiery spirit has been evident since he took on the role of head coach for the Detroit Lions, famously declaring at his introductory press conference almost three years ago that his teams would fight relentlessly on the field.
Campbell has celebrated victories with unbridled joy and shed tears in the face of defeat. Yet, his passion has never burned as intensely as it did on Monday.
“I’ve got controlled fury and I’m ready to go,” Campbell declared.
Roughly 36 hours after a disputed call in Dallas resulted in a loss, squashing their chances at clinching the top seed in the NFC, Campbell insisted he had moved on, and he expected his players to do the same as they prepare for their regular-season finale.
“I’ve got pure octane right now,” Campbell said. “I woke up. I’m ready, so we’re moving forward.”
For Campbell, looking back was not on the agenda for his weekly news conference.
In a statement that lasted precisely 2 minutes and 10 seconds, he intentionally omitted any mention of the contentious 2-point conversion involving offensive tackle Taylor Decker in the game against the Cowboys.
The officials ruled that Decker was an ineligible receiver because offensive lineman Dan Skipper, along with offensive lineman Penei Sewell, had approached referee Brad Allen, and they believed Skipper had declared himself eligible.
Decker, speaking to reporters in Dallas, adamantly stated that he had reported as eligible, while Skipper contended that he had not spoken to the officials.
Campbell mentioned that he did not have information about whether Skipper had wiped off the numbers on his jersey, a potential source of confusion for the officials, who may have interpreted it as an attempt to report as eligible.
After a barrage of inquiries about the penalty, the usually loquacious and cooperative coach displayed a rare trace of annoyance with the media.
“Why do you guys want to talk about this?” he queried.
Campbell disclosed that he had not received any communication from the NFL regarding the team’s queries about the call, indicating that team president Rod Wood is handling communications with the league.
“Until you guys asked me the questions, I’m over it,” Campbell said. “I don’t even want to deal with it. Rod’s handling all of it, man. He’s got it, and I don’t even want to deal with it. I’m done. I’m good. I just want to go, and I want to get ready for Minnesota, and our players will be ready to roll.”
Rod Wood was unavailable to reporters on Monday, and the NFL has yet to issue a statement regarding the call.
Despite the Lions’ one-point loss to Dallas, the NFC North champions (11-5) have less riding on their game against division rivals the Minnesota Vikings (7-9) at home on Sunday. Nevertheless, Campbell made it clear that he has no intentions of resting injured players for the playoffs.
“That’s the plan right now,” he affirmed.
With a victory, Detroit can potentially improve its playoff seeding. Currently, the Lions occupy the No. 3 spot in the NFC.
Campbell reported that Sam LaPorta, the rookie tight end nursing an injury, is “good,” and wide receiver Jameson Williams, who left the Cowboys game with an ankle injury, is not seriously affected.
He’s optimistic that defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, recovering from a torn pectoral muscle sustained in the season-opening win against Kansas City, and defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who has been sidelined for a month with a knee injury, will be available to play against the Vikings.
While Campbell may have preferred not to discuss the controversial call against the Cowboys, he views it as a blessing in disguise.
“We were in a tight game, had a chance to win it, we weren’t able to, and so now you know what that’s like,” he reflected. “You know what that feels like, and you can’t let that opportunity slip. You don’t know when that play’s going to be made — could be the first quarter, second quarter, right before halftime — so that’s why.”