We all know somebody like Dan Campbell.
And if you don’t know someone like Campbell—*ahem*—then maybe you are the person in your friend group who most exemplifies the Detroit Lions’ crazy coach.
Crazy is a term of endearment, by the way. I admire the Campbells of the world, the people who consistently say, “(bleep) it,” and take big chances rather than playing it safe.
Most of us aren’t wired that way. Most of us color inside the lines, go about our daily routines and keep our heads down without attracting too much attention from outsiders.
We’ve got spouses, we’ve got kids, we’ve got pets. We’ve got bills; we’ve got bosses. We’ve got a lot of reasons to avoid taking major risks.
But here’s the thing about the risk takers. They can lose it all… or they can win big.
Campbell loves living on the edge.
Go big or go home. No risk-it, no biscuit. Chicken if you don’t.
That’s how Campbell operates. Look no further than Thursday’s prime-time game, which the Lions won 34-31 over the Green Bay Packers.
Exhibit 1
It’s late in the third quarter. The Lions are leading 24-21, and they face fourth-and-1 from their own 31-yard line.
Says the angel on your shoulder: You have a punter on your payroll. He is special and important. He probably donates to charities and respects his elders. Here is his time to shine. Let him boot it 50-plus yards and force the Packers to have a long field.
Says the devil on your shoulder: Forget the punter. What’s so special about a punter? Go for it. It’s one yard. ONE YARD. You can do it.
Campbell listened to the devil. It didn’t work. The Lions failed to convert, the Packers’ offense gladly took advantage of a short field, and four plays later Green Bay grabbed a 28-24 lead. Whoops.
Exhibit 2
Fast forward to the final minute of the fourth quarter.
The score is tied at 31-all. Detroit has marched to the Packers’ 20-yard line, but they fall short on third-and-inches to bring up fourth down.
So now it’s fourth-and-inches with 43 seconds to go.
This would be a 37-yard, maybe a 38-yard field goal to give the Lions the lead.
Angel: Hey, coach. Remember how I told you about that special punter? You also have a very special field goal kicker on your roster. He’s got a great story; let’s make it even greater by letting him make the go-ahead kick here. It’s the holidays! Also, let’s be real: if you go for it and mess up here, you are literally giving up on a chance to take the lead.
Devil: BORRRING. You’ve got to go for it, my man. Scared money don’t make money! Get the first down and bleed this clock down and turn the Packers into melted cheese. Make Jordan Love watch from the sidelines and never get the ball back. Go for it! Do it. Doooooo it.
Of course, Campbell did it.
This time, it worked. The Lions converted on fourth down to keep the clock ticking, and not long after, Jake Bates drilled a game-winning 35-yard field goal as time expired.
The big risk led to a big reward as the Lions improved to 12-1.
Where’s the border between aggressive and reckless?
It’s wherever Campbell lives.
Will the coach’s risk-taking ultimately help or hurt his team in a close playoff game?
Nobody can say for sure. That’s what makes all of this so much fun.
So I say, keep taking those chances, coach. Keep tossing all those chips into the middle of the table. Keep listening to that devil on your shoulder.
The majority of us can live vicariously through you. Because we’re not rocking the boat. We don’t even own a boat.
But if we did, we’d have life jackets.