Vrbo Citrus Bowl - Iowa v Kentucky
Getty ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jack Campbell #31 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks on prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Anyone who followed the NFL over the weekend witnessed the terrifying injury Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell suffered against the Minnesota Vikings.
Campbell injured his neck while attempting to tackle Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson.
He remained on the ground for several minutes as trainers attended to him. Trainers eventually placed him on a stretcher and took him to a local hospital, where he remained as of Tuesday.
Fortunately, the Lions’ updates, while brief and private, have indicated that he’s improving. However, they haven’t provided much more detail.
Kirk Ferentz Breaks Silence on Campbell’s Injury
Reacting to the injury for the first time on Tuesday during his press conference was Campbell’s former college coach, Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“I want to share our support, certainly to the family, and most importantly to Jack,” Ferentz said. “And I’ve been in contact with the family, expressed that to them, and they’ve kept us updated, but we’re gonna respect their wishes right now. They’ll handle the information that comes out. When they think it’s appropriate, they’ll release that information and go from there.
“And just, you know, real briefly, I think all of you know, just how impactful Jack was in our program, what a tremendous person he is, what a tremendous player he’s been for us, and then now he’s moved on and done the same exact thing in Detroit, not only playing really well, but just a tremendous leader and tremendous addition,” Ferentz added. “So we’re all keeping him in our thoughts, and certainly, you know, hope everybody that’s a Hawkeye fan does the same.”
Campbell’s Time at Iowa
Campbell played for the Hawkeyes from 2019-2022 before the Detroit Lions selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, became a first-team All-American and won the Butkus Award, which recognizes the nation’s top linebacker.
He was a staple of the program and embodied what Ferentz has preached throughout his 28 years and counting coaching Iowa.
Cole Sullivan Cole Sullivan is a sports journalist for Heavy.com covering the NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball. A member of the United States Basketball Writers Association, he has written for FanSided, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, and Newsweek. Sullivan earned an Associate degree from Franklin Pierce University and a Bachelor's degree from Lynn University, where he studied Communications and Media Studies with a focus on Sports Journalism. More about Cole Sullivan