Dan Campbell had a feeling PETA wouldn't approve, and he was right.
While expressing his wish for a live pet lion to accompany him on the gridiron in Detroit, an idea he even said he's mentioned to Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, Campbell acknowledged Monday on the Pardon My Take Podcast, "I don't know if PETA's going to allow that."
A day later, PETA sent the Lions head coach a letter -- and a plush toy lion named Dan Detroit.
"No lion belongs in a barren cage or on a chain," said PETA senior VP Lisa Lange. "If Coach Campbell makes Dan Detroit part of the Lions' entourage, he'll help PETA spread the message that lions are wild animals, not mascots, props, or 'pets.'"
PETA
PETA also sent Campbell a gift basket filled with vegan snacks, including lion-shaped chocolates.
The letter, which came from PETA's celebrity relations manager, is below.
Dear Coach Campbell,
Congratulations on your new role as head coach of the Detroit Lions! We heard your comments made in jest about acquiring a lion to keep as a "pet" at the team's facilities. As you mentioned, lions are wild animals, and they don't belong in football stadiums (or at roadside zoos or in people's backyards).
Fortunately, the world is more aware now than ever before of the suffering endured by exotic animals when they're condemned to live in a barren cage, forced to interact with members of the public, and coerced into doing demeaning tricks at the end of a chain and under threat of being whipped. And this awareness has meant that more decrepit roadside zoos that are incapable of taking care of animals have been shut down, abusive exhibitors have lost their licenses (or even gone to prison), and previously exploited big cats have found new homes in accredited sanctuaries.
So while the Detroit Lions should remain the only lions at Ford Field, we thought we would send you an addition to your team: Meet Dan Detroit the Lion!
Making Dan Detroit part of the Detroit Lions' entourage will encourage an end to the abuse and exploitation of lions and other big cats as mascots or props and spare a wild animal a lifetime of suffering. He's a symbol of support for all lions—both on the field and off.
All the best,
Rachel Stotts
Celebrity Relations Manager
PETA
