If there was ever a true personification of the term ‘football guy’, it would probably look a lot like Dan Campbell. The personality of the head coach of the Detroit Lions is just as large as his 6-foot-5, 265-pound frame. And it comes complete with a can of dip and a gritty attitude that only a former NFL tight end could have.
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As a play caller, Campbell has garnered a reputation for being a bit of a wild card, mainly thanks to his willingness to routinely go for it on fourth downs. However, he reportedly wanted to turn things up a notch for Detroit’s home games.
Campbell recently voiced his hopes for the team to be able to feature a real-life lion on the sidelines at Ford Field. As a mascot, of course. Unfortunately, despite receiving approval from the team’s ownership, his request has been denied by the NFL.
In light of Campbell’s suggestion, NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe couldn’t help but think that his over-the-top personality would allow him to be a great coach at the college level.
Lions HC Dan Campbell wants to have a pet lion on the team's sideline at Ford Field, but the NFL will not allow it despite owner Sheila Ford-Hamp approving it🦁
“Sheila, she had no problem with it, but the league apparently frowns on those types of things.”
(via @PardonMyTake) pic.twitter.com/wpZ7qYM8lq
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) June 10, 2025
“He’d be a perfect college coach, ’cause they’ll let you have anything. They’ll let you have a Clydesdale, an elephant, a panther. LSU got a Falcon fly at Auburn,” the former Denver Bronco said jokingly on the latest episode of the Nightcap podcast.
Given the level of hysteria that comes with college game days, Sharpe is probably more correct than he realizes. His co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson loved the idea.
Apart from the spectacle aspect appealing to Ocho’s eccentric side, the former wide receiver explained that it could also motivate some players into wanting to play for Campbell.
“Sh*t I like that… All that does is give me another idea. Can you imagine me playing for Dan Campbell back in those days, and there’s a lion on the sidelines? …Man, I can see me jumping in the cage,” said Ocho.
Ironically enough, Johnson’s suggestion is likely one of the very reasons why the NFL will never approve such a stunt. Thankfully, Sharpe was there to jokingly remind him about the harsh realities of playing with wild animals. “I can see that lion tearing yo[ur] a** up in that cage,” he said.
It’s much easier to tame and rely on birds and horses than an apex predator. The Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, and Atlanta Falcons have all done well with showcasing their avian mascots.
The Denver Broncos notably featured Thunder, an all-white stallion who helped fans celebrate the team for three decades.
One of the more affectionate real-life mascots proved to be Swagger, the beloved bullmastiff of the Cleveland Browns. The pup roamed the sidelines of Huntington Bank Field for the better part of six years and, for better or worse, was often the most likable personality on the field.
