Campbell's past explains why the Lions are obsessed with their identity and why they won't lose it

The Detroit Lions are all about identity. It's been the main thing that this team has been about since head coach Dan Campbell took the podium for the first time back in January of 2021. On the first day of 2024 training camp we learned from Campbell why it's so important for the team to keep that identity and to not get comfortable.

It all stems for Campbell's days as a player with the New York Giants.

"Here's one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was part of a team that, man, we did something really special. We came up a little short and the next year, we had the exact same team. I mean, we made it a point. And man, I just remember there was a couple of things, you know, we, you know, 'hey guys, we're not gonna go pads' and everybody's, 'yeah!'. 'Hey guys, get out here a little bit early.' And pretty soon, you know, by the end of it, you're not, you just lost your identity and everything that had made you what you are, you went away from because, you know what, 'we'll be okay. We got the same guys.' And that was a lesson learned for me, because we were we were an average 7-9 the next year after going 12-4. And I will never forget that, ever,  we are not going to lose our identity. That is the most important thing to me, and I won't sacrifice it for for anyone or anything."

That's some powerful stuff. The moments like that can really affect you. It makes you never want to feel like that ever again. Campbell is of course referring to the Giants team that went 12-4 in 2000 and then lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl. That team faltered really hard the next season and went 7-9 just like Campbell said.

Obsession is a big thing in Detroit. We talk a lot about Amon-Ra St. Brown's obsession with the 16 receivers drafted before him or Terrion Arnold's obsession with putting in work . But maybe the biggest obsession that's driving this team is the obsession with not being hurt again. The obsession with making sure you never have to feel the way you felt before.

That right there could be the difference between the Lions going 7-9 this year and going on to win it all.

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