You’d never believe who Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell once dressed as for Halloween — but he shared the story himself on Friday. Campbell, who was known to enjoy team Halloween parties during his NFL playing career, revealed one of his most memorable costumes while speaking with reporters.
When asked about celebrating Halloween with his wife, Holly, Campbell laughed as he recounted the costume that got everyone talking. “We used to dress up a bit. I mentioned this before, not sure if (team reporter) Dannie (Rogers) heard it, but I was Marilyn Monroe one year,” Campbell said. “That was a long time ago, not here. Holly’s the creative one — she’s always had great ideas.”
At 6-foot-5 and over 260 pounds, picturing Campbell as the 5-foot-5 Hollywood icon is certainly a sight to imagine. He went on to explain how the costume came about. “Her sister came in that year, so it was more their idea than mine. I ended up being Marilyn Monroe. She brought me a dress and a wig. I even had a broken ankle at the time, so I was on crutches,” Campbell said with a grin.
And yes, the photographic proof exists. Campbell’s wife confirmed on social media that she still has the picture tucked away somewhere. “It was before social media was big,” Holly said. “I’ll have to dig in the basement.”
When MLive reporter Benjamin Raven praised him for being a good sport, Campbell responded with a laugh: “Yeah, I guess so. Alcohol helps.” As for this Halloween, the Lions coach said he and Holly plan to hand out candy to neighborhood kids — and they’ve got their treats picked out. “It’s always Reese’s, man. Buttercups, M&M’s, peanut M&M’s — that’s what we hand out. No caramel apples, just the good stuff,” Campbell said.
