Lions HC, owner wanted a wild animal as a team pet

According to a report by Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith, the coach recently told the Pardon My Take podcast that team owner Sheila Ford Hamp was down for the idea to have a live lion with the group, but NFL officials weren't.

"Sheila, she had no problem with it, but the league apparently frowns on those types of things," Campbell said, per the Pro Football Talk report. "I’m not gonna point out (commissioner Roger Goodell) on this, I’m just gonna say the league frowns on that, let’s just say that."

While Goodell has rightfully been criticized for countless decisions over his years in power, he certainly seems to be making the right call here.

Though having an actual lion roaming the sidelines in the Motor City would be quite a scene, it would also be dangerous, to say the least.

As noted in the Pro Football Talk report, live animal mascots are more common in college football than the NFL, but the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks both use them with a horse and hawk, respectively.

During Week 5 of the 2021 season, Seattle's mascot, a hawk named Taima, flew into the crowd and landed on a fan's head in a wild "Thursday Night Football" moment.

The Lions current mascot is the city's "favorite fun loving lion" named Roary, who is in its 14th season on the job. According to the team's official website, Roary majored in "Mascotology with Minors in Selfie Science and Shenanigans," is "undefeated in staring contests" and holds the Ford Field record for most popcorn eaten in one sitting.