Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell’s False Tooth Pops Out During Meeting, But He Just Keeps Going

The 2021 incident was shared by Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Detroit Lions in the NFL, is currently trending due to his controversial decision during a recent game against the Buffalo Bills.

With 12 minutes left in the game and the Detroit Lions down by 10 points, Campbell opted for an onside kick.

Unfortunately, the attempt backfired as the Bills recovered the ball and quickly scored a touchdown, extending their lead to 45-28.

Why…why? This makes absolutely no sense and why Dan Campbell needs to know when to not do stuff like this pic.twitter.com/c3O8gMC0V0

— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 16, 2024

As fans and analysts debate the decision, the renewed spotlight has sparked further curiosity about the 48-year-old coach, including a funny story involving his false teeth.

Dan Campbell’s “False Teeth” Incident Occured In 2021

Dan Campbell’s “false teeth” incident, which occurred during his first training camp as the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2021, has become quite a memorable story among his players and fans.

During a team meeting, Campbell was passionately speaking to his players when his fake tooth unexpectedly fell out.

Without missing a beat, he picked it up, put it back in, and continued his speech as if nothing had happened.

This incident has been recounted by players like Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who found it both hilarious and indicative of Campbell’s intense and unflappable nature.

Goff quoted on the Rich Eisen Show,

@sportsseriously “He lost a tooth and just kept talking” Dan Campbell = national treasure 😂 #dancampbell #lions #detroit #funny #teeth #jaredgoff #qb #nfl #football ♬ original sound – Sports Seriously

The specific reason why Dan Campbell has false teeth isn’t widely known.

However, there has been speculation that the condition of his teeth could be related to tobacco use, as some fans have suggested.

This is not confirmed, but it is a common reason for dental issues among many individuals.

Dan Campbell’s teeth holding on for dear life 😭 pic.twitter.com/Icgs1wh8Hm

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) December 16, 2024

Campbell Played Football At Texas A&M

Dan Campbell was born on April 13, 1976, in Clifton, Texas.

He grew up in Glen Rose, Texas, where he attended Glen Rose High School.

During his high school years, he played as a tailback and tight end.

#NFLCombineFlashback

Lions HC Dan Campbell (TE, Texas A&M) at the 1999 NFL Combine:

6052, 263
40/20/10: 4.83/2.76/1.63
VJ: 36
BJ: 10'1"
SS: 4.07
3C: 7.00
BP: 25 reps pic.twitter.com/TZwdmFJWXR

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 25, 2024

Campbell accepted a football scholarship from Texas A&M University.

He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies from 1995 to 1998.

Dan shared the tight-end position with Derrick Spiller in his last two seasons.

He Was Drafted In 1999

The New York Giants selected Campbell in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft.

He played as a tight end for the New York Giants (1999-2002), Dallas Cowboys (2003-2005), Detroit Lions (2006-2008), and New Orleans Saints (2009).

Campbell was part of the New Orleans Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV, although he spent the entire season on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

OTD: Fifteen years ago, Dan Campbell caught the final touchdown pass of his career, even though it looks like it was fifteen hundred years ago (2006) pic.twitter.com/fYLghU17ys

— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) December 24, 2021

Campbell Began His Coaching Career In 2010

Campbell began his coaching career as an intern with the Miami Dolphins in 2010. He was promoted to tight ends coach in 2011 and served as the interim head coach in 2015.

From 2016 to 2020, Campbell was the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Exactly 15 years ago today (March 14, 2006) the @Lions signed unrestricted free agent TE Dan Campbell.

He produced 4 TD receptions in 2006, the third-most a tight end has logged in his first season with Detroit.

He returned to the club as head coach on Jan. 20, 2021. pic.twitter.com/Tm8IvoZMZK

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) March 14, 2021

In 2021, Campbell was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Under his leadership, the Lions have shown significant improvement, including winning their first division title since 1993 and their first playoff win since 1991.

Dan Is Married With Two Kids

Dan Campbell is married to Holly Campbell. The couple met at Texas A&M University and got married in 1999.

The couple has two children, Cody and Piper Campbell.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Holly Campbell (@hollyhcampbell)

Cody attended Trinity University, where he played college football and majored in business analytics and technology.

Additionally, he received a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from the University of Michigan and now works as a pricing strategist at Rocket Companies.

His sister, Piper, graduated high school in June 2024.

She is active on Instagram, where she posts glimpses of her outdoorsy lifestyle.

Dan’s life outside of football is complemented by his beautiful wife and children, who are steadfast supporters of their father and, consequently, the Detroit Lions.

Additional Information

• During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Campbell played alongside and mentored future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten. The team valued Campbell’s leadership and blocking skills despite Witten emerging as the primary tight end.
• Campbell’s introductory press conference as the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2021 was memorable for his passionate and unconventional remarks. He famously said, “We’re gonna kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re gonna get up. And on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off.”