Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Three-Time Super Bowl Winner Tedy Bruschi Blasts Lions Coach Dan Campbell on Fourth Down Gambles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Dec 8, 2024 4:40 PM ET

The New England Patriots won three Super Bowls during standout linebacker Tedy Bruschi's time with the team, becoming one of the most iconic NFL franchises under the leadership of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

On Sunday, Bruschi sent a stern warning to one of the NFL's top Super LIX contending teams, the Detroit Lions, and their head coach Dan Campbell amid Campbell's controversial string of fourth down gambles.

Bruschi made the comments on the Sunday NFL Countdown TV show with the Lions resting up from back-to-back Thursday night NFC North Division wins.

"Give me Dan Campbell on the field with me, I'll take it," Bruschi said. "Don't put Dan Campbell on my sideline, I just, I don't know. I don't know the emotional control of this coach.

"I mean, every single time? Does it have to be every single time?

"The fourth and one, when you're on the 31-yard line, going out, that was obvious to me, I mean, this can't happen, I mean this guy wants to go for it even now and they get stopped right now and basically give Green Bay a touchdown because all they gotta go is like 29 yards and they score a touchdown here and it's a different game.

"So, you wouldn't have been in this situation maybe if you punt it, and you let your defense play against a quarterback that has a tendency to throw it to the other team also, every single time?"

Bruschi added that the Lions are now "on top," adding that there are "no more ankles and kneecaps to bite," referencing Campbell's famous press conference speech in the Motor City.

Dan Campbell takes every gamble, but @TedyBruschi thinks it's time to play like a top dog

"There's no more ankles and knee caps to bite. You're on top. Start playing like it and start coaching like it." pic.twitter.com/Y6ZkULpEKB
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 8, 2024