Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell wants a live lion on the sideline

Publish date: 2024-08-02

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Dan Campbell still wants a pet lion.

The Detroit Lions head coach said Monday on the “Pardon My Take” podcast that his hope for a sideline lion remains, but the NFL shut down the prospect of a live-animal mascot. 

While team owner Sheila Ford Hamp may be onboard, the league certainly is not. 

“Sheila, she had no problem with it, but the league apparently frowns on those types of things,” Campbell said.

“I’m not gonna point out Roger [Goodell] on this, I’m just gonna say the league frowns on that, let’s just say that.”

Shortly after Campbell was hired by the Lions in January 2021, the new coach mentioned the idea for a pet lion. 

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches practice. AP

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to do it, but I would love to literally just have a pet lion,” Campbell said on “Pardon My Take” in 2021. 

“Just a legit pet lion on a chain, a big ass chain, and he really is my pet. We just walk around the building, we go out to practice, we’re at 7-on-7, we’re behind the kicker when he’s kicking.”

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks to the media. AP

Beyond the pet lion talk, Campbell also discussed the goals and direction of his 2023 squad.

Detroit hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2016, but the Lions seem poised to be a contender this season following last year’s 9-8 finish.

The Lions are the division favorites with +145 odds at FanDuel.

Detroit Lions cornerback Cam Sutton (1) jogs to his next assignment while the team practices. AP

“To me, the message stays the same in the regard of, no, we didn’t win the division last year, Minnesota won it. Green Bay won it for years before that. So, to me, those are the kings in this division right now, and we have to go earn that,” Campbell said.

“We didn’t go to the playoffs last year, we’ve gotta earn that. So, to me, we’re still on the outside looking in and that’s what keeps us hungry.”

Dan Campbell really wants a live lion on his team’s sideline. Getty Images
Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half. Getty Images

A lion mentality, one might say. 

Detroit opens its 2023 campaign and the NFL season Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs with high expectations, but, to Campbell’s dismay, no pet mascot on the sidelines.  

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