ALLEN PARK -- Dan Campbell can remember certain plays he ran during his time with other teams or pinpoint the exact moment he missed a blocking assignment that led to a Hall of Fame pass rusher blocking a field goal.
But he can’t remember his first NFL touchdown?
This week marked the 25th anniversary of Campbell’s first career receiving touchdown, a moment that didn’t come until his second year in the league. At the time, Campbell was playing for the New York Giants.
During Friday’s media availability, MLive asked if he remembered the moment.
“No, man, I don’t. I hadn’t even thought of that,” Campbell replied while laughing. “I can’t even remember what that was… not the first one, believe it or not.”
It happened during the Giants’ Week 5, 28-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 1, 2000, when Campbell caught a late one-yard pass from former two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kerry Collins.
“That’s sad that I don’t (remember),” Campbell continued. “Because I only have a few, I only have like a handful. That’s what’s sad about it. I know it was from Kerry, but I can’t remember if it was a flat or the back of the endzone.
“That’s a long time ago. I’m fortunate to have the teammates I had around me. I can tell you that. Because if Kerry was throwing it to me, I had no choice but to catch it, (but) it caught me.”
Campbell finished the season with eight receptions for 46 yards and three touchdowns. His final two scores came in a Week 12, 31-21 loss to the Lions and a Week 13, 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
While Campbell may not remember his first career touchdown, his last touchdown happened on Christmas Eve in 2006 during his first of three seasons playing for the Lions.
In a Week 15 26-21 loss to the Chicago Bears, with roughly two minutes left in the first quarter, Campbell caught a 23-yard pass from former Lions quarterback Jon Kitna for the game’s first touchdown.
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