Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell's postgame speech after the team won the division after a 30-year drought was special.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell continues to exemplify leadership in every way possible. After the team's thrilling victory over the Minnesota Vikings, which secured the team's first division title in 30 years, Campbell walked into the locker room and showed why he is a leader of men, and he understands that.
Campbell gathered the veteran leaders of this team—whom he called “the old guards”—and placed them in the center of the room. Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tracy Walker, Graham Glasgow, Will Harris, Romeo Okwara and even Don Muhlbach were allowed to be part of this group. These players, much like us fans, have been with this organization for years and have endured some of the lowest and most frustrating moments in this franchise's history. Nevertheless, each and every one of these players gave their best, remained loyal to the team and is now part of the most extraordinary season in at least three decades of this franchise.
As a player, Campbell knows players chase moments like this forever, especially veterans whose careers may be closer to the end than the beginning. So he gathered them together and recognized their hard work, patience and perseverance.
“Any time you do something like what we just did, it’s special,” Campbell began. “It doesn’t matter, man. And it doesn't matter how many you win in a row, they are special. But I can tell you this: When you're part of the organization and it's been 30 years since we won a damn championship, that's special, man. And these guys were fucking looking forward to it and waiting for it. It's for you, baby. The first one is for you.”
An incredibly clever and elegant gesture from Coach.
As if this video wasn't enough, keep watching as Decker destroys the team with an epic speech. The best part:
“Now everyone fucking respects us, and everyone better fucking be afraid of us.”
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