Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions standout vows to ignore NFL directive after memo distributed across league

The Lions objected to Campbell being singled out; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Alfred Collins struck Kyren Williams’ helmet before punching the ball loose, resulting in a turnover his team recovered. Still, Campbell insists he won’t alter his playing style for anyone — not even the league.

“I don’t know how many people have played in an NFL game, but when you’re going full speed trying to knock the ball out, punch-outs aren’t easy,” Campbell said Friday. “So, I don’t really care.

“I’m going to keep punching, and if I miss, f-it. Whatever.”

The NFL plans to penalize defenders with personal fouls for failed punch-outs that strike the ball carrier instead of the football, but Campbell remains undeterred. “I’ll probably end up with 150 personal fouls by year’s end — should be fun,” he joked.

The Lions have generated seven forced fumbles this year, one shy of the NFL lead.

Campbell recorded a strip-sack of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and a punch-out against Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, while Aidan Hutchinson is tied with Buffalo Bills star Joey Bosa for the league lead in forced fumbles with four.

“They got mad at me for punching someone,” Campbell said. “But come on — they’re wearing pads. If anything, it hurts my hand more than theirs.”

A punch-out is a defensive move where a tackler targets the ball to cause a fumble.

The technique was made famous by cornerback Charles Tillman’s “Peanut Punch” during his tenure with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.

Campbell’s Lions sit at 4-2 after falling to the Chiefs and aim to rebound against the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, Oct. 20.

 

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *