Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell just helped lead the franchise to its first home playoff win in over 30 years. Ahead of Sunday’s Divisional Round game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has a message for the fans – and particularly the doubters.
In a message to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer after their playoff win over the Rams this past weekend, Campbell praised fans who “kept the faith” and believes that they deserve the success the Lions have enjoyed. For the “doubters,” he told them to “stay off the train” because it’s too late.
“I’m just so proud of the coaching staff and these players for rewarding Detroit with a home playoff win,” Campbell wrote, via All Lions. “Our fans took it to another level today, and it helped us win! To those fans who have kept the faith, you deserve this! To the doubters, stay off our train—it’s too late for you!”
Lions fans were more than happy to keep their bandwagon fall:
#Lions HC Dan Campbell has a message for #Lions fans.
“To those fans who kept the faith, you deserve this. To the doubters, stay off the train. It’s too late for you”
(Via @AlbertBreer, @theMMQB) pic.twitter.com/nNGPfrvilK
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 18, 2024
“Speak the truth, Dan!! Let’s go Lions!!” one user replied.
“Win it all Dan,” wrote another. “God speed to the Lions fan base you deserve it all.”
“How can you not love this dude no wonder why the players are willing to run through a wall for him,” former NFL player Shawn Merriman wrote.
Whether Campbell wants it or not, if the Lions beat the Bucs and advance to the NFC Championship Game, there’s going to be a lot of new fans coming out of the woodwork.