Romo later recounted that Campbell placed a cigarette on his hand as part of the prank. During a recent appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast, Romo described the moment: Campbell beckoned him over, produced a cigarette, and then pressed it against Romo’s hand, asking, “Isn’t that funny?”
On the St. Brown Podcast, Romo’s story prompted a response from Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Amon-Ra St. Brown asked whether Romo’s account was true, and Campbell confirmed that Romo’s memory was accurate, providing his side of the tale.
“It’s a true story,” Campbell stated. He explained that Romo was a young rookie free agent in 2003, and while everyone liked Romo, the team went out one night and Campbell decided to give Romo a memorable introduction. Campbell described placing the cigarette on Romo’s hand and noted he had not extinguished it in the past; rather, he pressed it to the palm. He added that his intent was to give Romo a jolt and a bit of humor, not to cause serious harm. “Just to make him feel better, he didn’t mention that I put it out in the palm of my hand after I did that,” Campbell admitted, acknowledging that both of them paid a price for the incident.
When asked whether Campbell had performed similar pranks on other occasions, he replied that he had “done that a couple of times.” The exchange provided a candid look into the lighter, if controversial, moments of early NFL locker-room camaraderie.
Romo went on to build a notable NFL career with the Cowboys, while Campbell moved into coaching after his playing days. As of now, Campbell is preparing for his sixth season as the Detroit Lions’ head coach, a role that contrasts with his earlier days as a prankster teammate.
This story highlights how memories of rookie hazing and locker-room humor can endure in the retellings of longtime NFL figures, illustrating the evolving relationship between players and coaches over the years.
