It was the 2009 season. Dan Campbell, then a tight end for the New Orleans Saints, sustained a knee injury during training camp and spent the season on Injured Reserve. Well, the Saints conquered the season without him, winning their first and only Super Bowl that year under Sean Payton. Campbell was pumped for his team, but what he got was just heartbreak. He was devoid of the Super Bowl ring — a decision left to the team’s discretion.

The Saints distributed 219 Super Bowl rings, which were awarded to practice squad players, injured reserve players, long-time team members not on the 2009 roster, and even the medical staff. But Campbell went home empty hand. That was his last season as a player.

Fast-forward to the present. He led his team, the Detroit Lions, to the playoffs. They secured the top seed in the NFC, but the Commanders, led by rookie Jayden Daniels, shattered Campbell’s dream. We all can feel his hurt. The Detroit Lions remained the only NFC team that never made it to the Super Bowl. This 45-31 interesting divisional round game broke the Lions, especially HC Dan Campbell into pieces at their home ground at Ford Field.

Nevertheless, Detroit fans are strong. This was evident in a gesture made by an admirer of coach Dan Campbell and his wife, Holly Campbell. So, what happened?

Do you think Dan Campbell deserves more recognition despite the Lions’ playoff heartbreak?

Absolutely, he’s a great leader

He needs more time to prove himself

Is Kirk Cousins’ move to ESPN the right step after being benched by the Falcons?

Yes, it’s a smart career pivot

No, he should fight for his spot

Do you believe the referees are biased in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs?

No, it’s just part of the game

Refs are always under fire

Do you believe DeMeco Ryans’ claim that the Texans were up against more than just the Chiefs?

Absolutely, the refs were biased

Refs make mistakes, it happens

Should Jerry Jones take a bold step and hire Deion Sanders as the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?

Yes, it’s time for a change

No, stick with a safer choice

Only if Deion is fully committed

Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.

Well, Dan Campbell’s wife shared a story on her official Instagram account on Sunday. In this new update, she shared a painting that featured a broken heart (the mark with red color) healed (in blue), showing their love for the franchise.

This healed blue heart, made by a little fan, Charlie, somewhat tried to ease the pain of the coach. Dan Campbell’s wife, too, sent three little blue hearts to the fan, while tagging the 48-year-old. She did this after sharing a broken heart graphic and an emotional message for her fans on IG.

Without any doubt, Dan Campbell, the entire team, fans, the Detroit community, and everyone involved, will take some time to heal. But Holly’s cheering up her husband as well as moments like this fan’s painting will surely help in overcoming the odds, which Campbell felt.

Broken Dan Campbell has no words left

After the game ended with a disappointing loss against the Commanders, Dan Campbell appeared broken in front of the media. During the post-game presser, the Lions’s head coach said, “This isn’t the time to talk about what a great year we had and all the wins. We’re here to get to the show and we fell short. That hurts.” A pain he had carried silently since 2009 must have grown even more poignant.

Indeed, this year would have been the one where they would have reached the Super Bowl for the first time. But that was an unfortunate day for the team. Nevertheless, Dan Campbell, who fought back his tears on Saturday in the press conference, took all the responsibility for the loss. He said, “What they [the players] put into it… A lot of people don’t know what they go through. They have to get up, bodies beat to sh-t… You know, mentally stay locked in and do those things. So… Long season. It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” Well, a brave leader can only take full responsibility for the loss on his own. And Dan Campbell is surely the one!

Besides him, quarterback Jared Goff too got brutally honest after the loss, as he added, “Had I played better, do we win? Possibly, you know. And that’s the part that’ll eat me alive for the whole offseason.” The Lions are in pain for sure, and we all hope they heal soon!