Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about Lion coach Dan Campbell after Detroit embarrassed the Cowboys in a 47-9 win last Sunday.
During a recent appearance on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s “Mad Dog Unleashed” podcast, Christie, a diehard Dallas fan, criticized Campbell’s character and said he acted classless while running trick plays involving Lions offensive lineman.
Russo asked Christie if he had a problem with Campbell “rubbing it in” and running trick plays when his team had a significant lead.
“That’s Dan Campbell,” Christie, who attended Game 4 of the NLCS at Citi Field between the Mets and Dodgers on Friday, said. “He’s got no class. Never has.
“It’s fine. It’s fine. Look, Dan Campbell, that’s the way he is, and what goes around comes around.”
Russo recalled when Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell’s touchdown was called back due to center Frank Ragnow being ruled illegally downfield in the second half — adding that Campbell was trying to get back at the Cowboys for last year’s officiating controversy.
The Lions were upset with the referees in their 2023 loss to the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, 20-19, after offensive tackle Taylor Decker’s two-point conversion was negated when it was ruled Decker was not an eligible receiver.
“Look, I think it’s misdirected. Dan Campbell’s angry because the referees got a call wrong in the game a year ago,” Christie said. “Well then, you know, run that play on Roger Goodell.
“The Cowboys had nothing to do with the play being called incorrectly it wasn’t a challenge that the Cowboys made. It was the call the referees made. The Lions got hurt by it. The Cowboys benefited by it. But now because of that you want to take your peak out over that and while you’re beating the hell out of these guys and rub it in.
“I don’t think that’s what pros do. But it’s his prerogative. It’s the reputation he’ll carry around … And quite frankly, I think people think that’s his rep now anyway.”
The Lions took care of business on the road against the Cowboys despite losing star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who fractured his tibia and fibula in the third quarter.
He underwent surgery and is expected to miss four to six months.
The Cowboys’ loss to the Lions was their worst home loss since owner Jerry Jones purchased the team in 1989.
Jones said he felt sick over the loss, which fell on his 82nd birthday, while in the middle of a meltdown during a radio interview Monday.
The Cowboys (3-3) have a bye week before facing the 49ers (3-3) in San Francisco on Oct. 27.