Jack Campbell is rooting for his team from the sidelines.
A week after the Detroit Lions linebacker was hospitalized for a neck injury, the team’s owner Sheila Ford Hamp shared how he’s keeping the team in his thoughts amid his recovery.
“I saw Jack a couple days ago,” Hamp told the team following their win against the Miami Dolphins Nov. 8 as seen in a video shared to social media, “and he was worried about all of you.”
But after the team defeated the Dolphins 19 to 9 in their latest match-up, Hamp assured, “I know he’s not now.”
“I know he’s as proud of you as I am,” Hamp told the team. “So, awesome job. Congratulations. We’re all proud of you and with you.”
Hamp’s update comes just days after Campbell—dad to son Cooper, 4 months, with wife Megan Campbell—shared his first statement since sustaining his injury Nov. 1.
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Detroit Lions Coach Shares Update on Jack Campbell After Neck Injury
“I’m incredibly encouraged by the progress I’ve made in such a short period of time,” Campbell said in a Nov. 4 message shared to the Lions’ social media accounts. “I have full movement in my lower body, and I’m continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body.”
The 26-year-old said he felt “very optimistic” at this point, despite the “work ahead,” and noted he’s leaning on his faith to get him through this difficult time.
“My faith in God has never been stronger,” he wrote. “I know He has a plan for me and I trust that plan. I know there may be challenges ahead, but with my faith, my family, and so many people in my corner, I know we’ll get through this.”
And, of course, the NFL star—who was named captain of the Lions earlier this season—assured his teammates they still had his full support.
“I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you,” he wrote. “This team has been a family to me, and the way everyone has been there for me means everything. I’m proud to be a Detroit Lion and couldn’t ask to be surrounded by a better group of people.”
For a deeper look into Campbell’s injury and recovery journey, keep reading…
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He lay face-down on the field, unable to move after the play, and had to be carried off on a backboard by medical personnel.
Lions coach Dan Campbell—who has no relation to the linebacker—said the team was “thinking about him” in a post-game interview, but had no information to share.
In a post on X following the game, the Detroit Lions confirmed that Campbell was brought “to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury.”
“Jack Campbell continues to rest and recover at a local hospital,” the team wrote in a post on X. “Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time.”
“It’s positive,” he said. “Your prayers are working. Please continue to do that. We’ll leave it at that. Just continue to pray for him but it is positive news on Jack.”
“I don’t even know if I can put it into words,” Dan said during a press conference Nov. 2. “You get voted captain, that says a ton, especially with this group of guys that has been assembled. He earned every bit of that. He’s trustworthy, he’s dependable. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He’s just all heart, man. All effort.”
As he put it, “There’s not a man on this team that doesn’t respect Jack Campbell and care about him,”
“It’s not easy because he’s going to always be on our minds over here,” he said. “The good news is he is improving.”
“I have full movement in my lower body, and I’m continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body,” he wrote in a statement shared to the Detroit Lions’ Instagram. “I know there’s still work ahead, but I remain very optimistic. I’m taking things one day at a time, staying positive, and focusing on getting better.”
