Holly Campbell, the wife of Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, didn’t hold back while discussing her life on and off the field.
During a Sunday appearance on the “Sunday Sports Club” podcast, Holly explained that Dan sometimes can’t shut off his football switch — and it happened when he got her a football cake for her 50th birthday last year.
“Last year was my 50th birthday and he got me a cake and it was sweet, but it was Honolulu blue,” Holly told host Allison Kuch, referring to Detroit’s team color.
“I am like, ‘I have been on this earth for 50 years and it is my 50th birthday and I have to have a football cake. I think it had footballs on it. It was a very good cake, but I’m like, ‘Really, does everything have to revolve around it?’, ” she quipped.
Both Holly and Kuch — who’s married to NFL Network analyst and former NFL defensive end Isaac Rochell — laughed over the cake story and dove into their shared experience of being in the NFL world.
When asked if she has a “no football zone” at home, Holly said, “I don’t know if I have a specific [time where I would say] ‘There is no football allowed in this situation ever.’
“But there have been plenty of times where he’s talking and talking and we’re on a date or we’re doing something, and I’m like, ‘Can we just talk about anything other than football? Anything at all.’
“I enjoy talking about football. Because you know, then they get all — if you hurt their feelings they get all poopy.”
Holly and Dan tied the knot in 1999, the same year the Giants selected him in the third round of the NFL draft.
She’s been his “rock” ever since, supporting him through 10 years as a player, before he moved on to coaching.
Dan was first an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints before he became head coach of the Lions in 2021.
They have two children, Cody and Piper.
The Lions (9-8) were eliminated from playoff contention with a Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last month after winning back-to-back NFC North titles.
