In their Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took full responsibility for the defeat, avoiding any finger-pointing or blame shifting.
As the first half came to a close, Jared Goff completed a pass that kept the clock running, but with no timeouts remaining, the Lions had to act fast. When Goff attempted to spike the ball and stop the clock, the team was penalized for having too many players on the field.
The mistake resulted in a five-yard penalty and a 10-second runoff, ending the half prematurely. The Lions’ 10-play drive, which might have ended with points on the board, came up empty, leaving them trailing 13-9 at halftime.
This error had a lasting impact, as the Lions eventually lost the game 20-16. A successful field goal could have reduced their deficit to just one point, potentially giving them a better chance to win and improve to 2-0 instead of 1-1.
While many coaches would have shifted blame onto their players for such disorganization, Campbell did the opposite, accepting full responsibility for the mishap. After the game, he expressed deep regret over the mistake.
This moment drew attention on social media, with one former NFL offensive lineman pointing out the contrast between Campbell’s leadership and that of Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, who blamed his players for a failed fourth-and-goal play. Campbell’s accountability is just one of the reasons he is respected as a coach.
This wasn’t the first time Campbell has shouldered blame. In the NFC Championship Game, he was criticized for going for it on fourth down instead of opting for a field goal. After the failed attempt, Campbell spoke emotionally about the decision.
In a sports world where many coaches pass blame to their players—like Brian Callahan with Will Levis in Tennessee—Lions fans can appreciate Dan Campbell’s integrity and leadership. His postgame comments continue to set him apart from other coaches.
