By Sunday 
As the Detroit Lions gear up for their Week 11 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Dan Campbell already knows exactly what awaits him at Lincoln Financial Field — and it’s not just the noise.
For Campbell, it’s a return to a place that once tested not just his toughness, but his stomach. The fiery coach, now known for his grit and emotional leadership, remembers his playing days in Philadelphia a little too vividly.
“It’s a great place to play,” Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit. “I mean, it’s electric. Had batteries thrown at us, spit on. It’s just the classic stuff. It’s probably the most hostile place to play.”
A Rookie’s Rude Awakening
Long before he was prowling the sidelines in Honolulu blue, Campbell spent 10 years as a tight end in the NFL, including stints with the Giants and Cowboys, two of Philly’s most hated rivals. That alone was enough to make him a target.
But one game stands out above the rest — a 1999 overtime matchup at the old Veterans Stadium, during Campbell’s rookie season with the Giants. The game ended dramatically when Michael Strahan intercepted a pass and took it to the house for the win.
As Campbell and his teammates rushed toward Strahan to celebrate, what should’ve been a joyous moment turned stomach-churning.
“I backed off at the last minute,” Campbell said, describing how an Eagles fan poured a 64-ounce cup of tobacco spit down Strahan’s back during the postgame celebration.
It’s the kind of story that sounds exaggerated — except, in Philly, it probably isn’t.
The Legend of Philly Fans Lives On
Eagles fans have always been famous — or infamous — for their intensity. Whether it’s snowballs at Santa, jeers that shake visiting locker rooms, or in Campbell’s case, airborne batteries, there’s no denying the passion that fills the Linc.
And Campbell doesn’t exactly hold it against them. Beneath the “bitter memory,” there’s respect. Philly’s crowd is loud, proud, and utterly relentless — the same traits Campbell has tried to build into his own Lions roster.
Heavyweight Football, Hostile Territory
This Sunday’s showdown isn’t just another game. With the Eagles (7-2) sitting atop the NFC and the Lions (6-3) close behind, playoff implications are all over it.
Last season, Detroit fell just short of meeting Philadelphia in the NFC Championship, losing instead to Jayden Daniels and Washington. This time, Campbell is determined to make every play count — and to make sure his players know exactly what they’re walking into.
“I’m going to give them a very good snapshot of what this is going to be like,” he said. “Keep your poise, and man, every play matters. This is a heavyweight. This is a heavyweight match, and one missed step can cost you this game.”
A bitter memory, yes — but one that’s fueling the fire for Sunday night.