Untold stories of Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell as a player - ESPN

DETROIT — Not even a torn triceps muscle could keep Dan Campbell off the field.

On Christmas Eve 2006, Campbell, then a Detroit Lions tight end in his eighth NFL season, faced the Chicago Bears wearing a knee brace on his right arm as protection.

With under three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna anticipated a post-corner route from Campbell on the backside, but Campbell instead beat his man on a corner post. Kitna adjusted and let it fly for a 23-yard touchdown. After securing the catch, an ecstatic Campbell raised both arms to celebrate in the back of the end zone before being mobbed by his Lions teammates.

«I think about those times with Dan, and he just never ever complained,» Kitna said. «Like to have to wear a brace on your elbow and not be able to straighten your arm and block people out, but still just kicking people's tail, you just know there's tough and then there's Dan Campbell.

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»There's a reason why in Texas, you don't mess with dudes that wear boots and hats, man. Do not mess with them — and Dan is a boot and a hat guy."

The touchdown against Chicago would prove to be the last of Campbell's career, which ended after three more seasons and just four games. His final numbers — 11 seasons, 114 games, 91 receptions, 11 touchdowns — show a career that lasted longer than most but don't tell the full story of Campbell as a player and the blend of toughness, intensity, intelligence and humor he brought during his stints with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Lions and New Orleans Saints.

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