A Detroit Lions reporter is apologizing after asking a question which was unrelated to the focus of Monday’s press conference on the health of linebacker Jack Campbell.
Campbell suffered a terrifying injury against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday after he lowered his head to make a tackle in the fourth quarter. The defensive star laid on the turf motionless and needed to be carted off the field before being transported to the hospital.
The Lions provided a vague update on Monday saying that his condition had improved, but declined to share specifics out of respect for the linebacker and his family.
On Monday, the Lions held a press conference providing other updates as head coach Dan Campbell spent most of the availability answering questions about his player, his condition and what he means to the team.
At one point, longtime Lions beat reporter Justin Rogers asked a more football-focused question unrelated to Jack and his health. Dan Campbell answered it and moved on without any issue.
While certainly not a controversial thing to happen, and even though other questions about Jack’s outlook tied into football, Rogers still felt compelled to apologize on social media.
A Detroit reporter apologized for asking a football question during Dan Campbell’s (L) press conference updating the media on the health of linebacker Jack Campbell (R)
The linebacker laid motionless on the field against the Vikings after lowering his head for a hit
Justin Rogers felt the need to apologize for asking a question unrelated to Jack’s health
‘Immediately regret working a football/game question into that press conference,’ Rogers posted on Monday.
Rogers noted that it ‘wasn’t the right time’ to ask his question and believed it could have ‘easily waited’ for when Dan Campbell hosted another availability on Wednesday.
Many responded to Rogers comment saying that the apology wasn’t necessary and the topic was hard to navigate.
‘Actually, I thought it was a nice change of pace for [Dan Campbell]. You could tell he wanted to talk ball and I thought you read it correctly, maybe I’m wrong, happens a bunch lol,’ wrote one user on X.
Another said: ‘It was probably needed Justin, Coach Campbell looked very uncomfortable until YOUR question. I applaud you for that.’
‘I felt like Coach welcomed the change of subject,’ remarked one user.
One commenter posted: ‘There is no “right” way to handle this. If you feel like you messed it up, learn from it and move on. Just know there are no expectations in unprecedented situations.’
In an appearance on Costa and Jansen with Heather on Detroit’s 97/1 The Ticket, the head coach said: ‘It’s not easy because he’s gonna always be on our minds over here.
Campbell needed to be taken to the hospital after being stretchered off on Sunday
Coach Campbell said that the player was ‘improving’ adding Jack would be ‘on our minds’
‘The good news is he is improving, but we also – we got a job to do, and this is what we’re tasked with, and there’s a reason why we go through all this stuff.
‘It’s to get to where we wanna go collectively as a team, and adversity comes in all shapes and sizes and we gotta overcome everything that comes our way.’
When asked how the rest of his players are coping, Campbell added: ‘I think the thought of him – knowing he’s doing better – I’ve kept the captains up to date and they’ve let the other guys know it’s good news.
‘So, I think that helps everybody just get a better handle on all this. Once you know that, then you gotta move on for yourself, too, in that moment because if you let things wander and you drift and you worry a little and then you’re trying to play or prepare, that’s where bad things can happen to you because you’re not all in on what you need to be doing.
‘So, that’s why it’s important that you get back to your own business. All we can do at this point is just continue to pray for Jack, put our thoughts on him when we have a minute, and his family, and it’s working, like I said, because he is improving.’
