New Jersey native, former governor of the state, and for some reason Dallas Cowboys fan Chris Christie was incensed by the Detroit Lions embarrassing his team 47-9 to the point where he called out Lions coach Dan Campbell.
Christie was especially irked by Detroit’s decision to dial up comical trick plays with literal offensive linemen lined up at wide receiver.
The Lions weren’t taking the Cowboys seriously at all 💀
– Tried throwing a TD pass to OT Taylor Decker
– Ran a hook-and-ladder to OT Penei Sewell
– Let OT Dan Skipper run routes as a WR
– Flea flicker to Sam LaPorta for a TD pic.twitter.com/uOXqHhIme9— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) October 14, 2024
Christie got in his feelings about it to say the least, blaming Campbell for the Lions’ unconventional game management and alleged classlessness for running up the score.
“That’s Dan Campbell. He’s got no class, never has.”
Former NJ governor and Jerry Jones sycophant Chris Christie to @MadDogUnleashed on the Lions running trick plays against the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/VlvrwQmNNq
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) October 17, 2024
First of all, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the man responsible for calling the plays. His take on the situation was as humorous as anyone’s.
#Lions OC Ben Johnson on unloading the trick plays last week: "I’m not worried about putting things on tape. If anything, it’s going to set up the next thing down the road. The well is deep."
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) October 17, 2024
Had Johnson come out with a poor game plan against the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings defense, masterminded by Tua Tagovailoa Confidence Assassin Brian Flores, maybe we’d view his shenanigans in a different light. Instead, the Lions knocked off the Vikings in a 31-29 shootout this Sunday to take over first place in the elite NFC North division.
This is what the revolutionary tenure of Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes has provided in the Motor City. Talk big. Risk big. Win big. Now all that’s missing is a Super Bowl, and the Lions are as well-situated as anyone in the next few seasons to get that elusive Lombardi Trophy.
No surprise, then, that Campbell chuckled and shrugged off Christie’s criticism when it was raised on Monday.
“The last time somebody called me classless, I was drinking wine out of a bottle. … I’m not worried about it.”
#Cowboys fan Chris Christie called #Lions HC Dan Campbell "classless" after Detroit's 47-9 win last Sunday over Dallas.
Dan Campbell's response: “The last time somebody called me classless, I was drinking wine out of a bottle. … I'm not worried about it.”
(🎥 @Lions) pic.twitter.com/FFli7FBrZP
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 21, 2024
Of course Dan Campbell takes wine straight to the face on occasion. Did he let it breathe enough before doing so? I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t. Campbell’s liquid consumption is actually a long-running point of fascination for me. I know he’s a big guy and former NFL tight end who still stays in exemplary physical condition, but Campbell’s caffeine intake should be enough to make an elephant’s heartbeat explode out of its chest.
Reminder that Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell has the most absurd coffee order of all time.
Two venti coffees from Starbucks with two espresso shots in each is more than 1,100 mg of caffeine.
That's the equivalent of drinking 10 Red Bulls…every morning.pic.twitter.com/Y1JGZckke3
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 8, 2023
When it comes to the sophisticated science of wine, Campbell strikes me as a, “Drink first, ask questions later” type of guy. Or if we can simplify the complex vino philosophy into binary “drink to live” versus “live to drink” camps, the football coaching genius known as MCDC would fall into the former category. If it tastes pretty good and gets the job done re: alcohol buzz, I don’t think Campbell is gonna be too picky about it.
And hey, it’s not like Campbell was facing Franzia straight from the box in some sort of Frat Olympics. It’s actually a sign of elite class that he could guzzle down a presumably quality bottle of wine without the aid of a glass. I’m sure with that NFL head coach’s salary, there’s plenty more where that came from if Campbell wanted to really seal in the flavor.
The only move from here is for Campbell to troll Christie and go on some kind of exotic wine country tour this offseason. Who wouldn’t watch him dissect all the nuanced flavors as if he’s in the trenches of NFL game planning? Couldn’t be more for this concept.
In any event, thanks to Dan Campbell for generally existing, for speaking truth to power, and for humiliating the Dallas Cowboys, who under no circumstances should still be considered “America’s Team.” Against all odds, that honor may very well go to Campbell’s Detroit Lions these days.
I love this freakin' team pic.twitter.com/FzyaMG2uEt
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 21, 2024
