NFL

Dan Campbell: ‘Don’t Give A Crap’ After Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs Exposes Position-Group’s Drop-Back Codes

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published02 Dec 2024

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nfl detoit lions jahmyr gibbs positioin codes (1)

Opps. 

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs inadvertently posted on social media about a dozen code words to the position group’s drop-back protections. 

Lions coach Dan Campbell shrugged.

“I don’t really give a crap,” Campbell said Monday during his weekly radio interview on WXYT-FM. “If we’re going to lose because of code words then we’re not good enough anyway. So I think we’ll just post the whole fricking playbook out there and every code word we’ve got. And it doesn’t matter. It’s not going to hurt us, it won’t affect us and it’s all good.”   

Jahmyr Gibbs’ Creates Social Media Flub 

Gibbs’ teammates shrugged, too.  

Despite the game-plan leak, the Lions made adjustments and topped the Chicago Bears, 23-20, earning the franchise’s first Thanksgiving win at Ford Field since 2016. 

Campbell didn’t sound concerned with future opponents gaining an edge from Gibbs’ whiteboard social media faux pas on Instagram. 

Among the displayed tidbits, protection code words included code words like “Kardashian” and “Khloe” appear to signal a naked bootleg, while “Belt” and “Karate” call for kick-out blocks. 

Campbell declined to comment on if the coaching staff altered many of the calls. 

“It’s on tape,” Campbell said, as reported by the Free Press. “The TV copy. I mean, you guys at home get more than we do, until after the game. “I’m telling you, it’s crazy. Listen, it’s all out there and you can find any and everything that you need on the tape and how to attack people, how they’re going to attack you and no, listen, I’m not losing sleep over that. 

“Now, do I want us posting stuff up from our locker room or our players or whatever? No, I don’t because you don’t know what’s going to happen with something like that. But no, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal.” 

Gibbs Closing In On Century Mark 

The NFC Conference-leading Lions (11-1) next host the Green Bay Packers (9-3) on Thursday night.  

Campbell said he had no plans to discipline Gibbs for the post. 

A second-year professional, Gibbs has compiled a team-best 973 yards on 163 carries and 10 touchdowns. His 6.0 yards per carry average ranks third in the NFL, trailing only Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley (6.1 ypg). 

“We’re fine,” Campbell said. “As a matter of fact I joked at him about it yesterday, I messed with him, so it’s good. I’m not even worried about it.”