The New York Giants and Detroit Lions opened joint practices on Monday morning with back-to-back press conferences featuring Brian Daboll and Dan Campbell.
Not only did the pair, who worked together in Miami, reunite, but for Campbell it was a return to where it all started.
In the 1999 NFL draft, the Giants selected Campbell, a tight end, in the third round (No. 79 overall).
“It’s always good to come back and, you know, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,” Campbell began, “I was drafted a Giant and I was here for four years. Some of the best friendships I had and still have are with those people that I played (alongside) here.
“And then the Mara family will always be special to me, man. Mr. (Wellington) Mara, God rest his soul, was the best. And John Mara, I have a ton of respect for.”
Campbell earned a trip to Super Bowl XXXV as a member of the Giants and eventually took over as the team’s starter before moving onto stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and New Orleans Saints. But those first four years will always be the most special.
“There are a ton of people that are still here in the organization that I was with, so they will always be near and dear to my heart. This place, it’s always going to give you that sense of what it was when you were here. So, yeah, it’s special to be back.
“I appreciate being back. And I appreciate the people in this organization very much because they gave me a go. I probably wouldn’t be here had it not been for them.”
Campbell retired following the 2009 season and immediately jumped into coaching with the Miami Dolphins. He was hired as Lions head coach in January 2021.
