Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell challenged 97.1 The Ticket host Jim Costa in a recent live, on air, interview.
By now, most football fans are familiar with the controversy that took place at the end of the Lions game with the Cowboys just before the end of the year. Campbell decided to go for a two-point conversion with his team trailing 20-19 with 23 seconds remaining in the game.
After penalties caused the Lions to redo the play three times, the third conversion attempt fell incomplete and Dallas won the game.
Some Lions fans and media were perplexed about going for two points in the first place, some were upset Campbell still decided to go for it after the penalty moved them back five yards to the 7 and some were upset with the play call on the third attempt.
After Costa questioned Campbell about the decision, Campbell said “I told our offense we were going for the win. ‘We’re going to go down, we’re going to score and we’re going for two, and I wasn’t coming off that.
As Costa and Mike Stone continued the questioning, Campbell snapped back saying “You know what, go ahead and say it. Both of you. Say what you want to say.”
Costa smoothly replied, “I think from the 7 it’s a low-percentage play. I think your chances of winning are lower than if you kick the extra point (and go to overtime).”
“No, say it like you would say it to anybody else,” Campbell shot back. “I’m on the radio, say it like you want to say it.”
“I thought it was a reckless decision,” Costa said.
“Thank you!” said the Detroit Lions Head Coach.
The follow up question as to whether Coach Campbell had regrets in any way to continue going for two was met with a one-word response, “No.”
The three continued to dissect the decision and the play call before moving on to what is next for the Lions and some banter about the College Football Playoff games, all of which was very cordial and contained the usual insight Dan Campbell is known for in his interviews.
