Detroit Lions

Lions coach Dan Campbell says he has no memory of his first NFL touchdown 25 years later

Dan Campbell recalls certain plays from his NFL days with other teams or moments when he missed a blocking assignment that led to a Hall of Famer blocking a field goal.

But his first NFL touchdown? He can’t seem to remember that one.

This week marked 25 years since Campbell’s first career receiving touchdown, a milestone that didn’t arrive until his second season in the league. Back then, he was suiting up for the New York Giants.

When asked about it during Friday’s media session by MLive, Campbell was honest.

“No, man, I don’t. I hadn’t even thought of that,” Campbell said with a laugh. “I can’t even remember what that was… not the first one, believe it or not.”

That touchdown came in Week 5 of the 2000 season — a 28-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans — when Campbell hauled in a late one-yard pass from former Pro Bowl quarterback Kerry Collins.

“That’s sad that I don’t (remember),” Campbell added. “Because I only have a few, like a handful. That’s the sad part. I know it came from Kerry, but I can’t recall if it was a flat route or in the back of the end zone.

“That was a long time ago. I’m just grateful for the teammates I had. If Kerry was throwing it my way, I had no choice but to catch it — or it would’ve caught me.”

That season, Campbell totaled eight receptions for 46 yards and three touchdowns. His other two scores came in a Week 12, 31-21 loss to the Lions and a Week 13, 31-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Though Campbell can’t recall his first touchdown, his final one came on Christmas Eve in 2006, during his debut season with the Lions.

In Week 15, a 26-21 loss to the Chicago Bears, Campbell caught a 23-yard pass from former Lions quarterback Jon Kitna late in the first quarter for the game’s opening touchdown.

 

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