A veteran Detroit sports reporter is facing major backlash for his message to the family of Detroit Lions star Jack Campbell after the linebacker suffered a terrifying on-field injury.
“A proper appeal to the Jack Campbell family: Please inform the football world about what doctors have so far determined,” Lynn Henning, 74, wrote via X on Tuesday, November 3. “People care, fundamentally, about Jack Campbell. They also wish to know anything that pertains to the family’s and team’s early indicators of optimism.”
The post continued, “This is not intrusive. It’s being asked by those who saw the event and who care mightily about a man’s health and future.”
Campbell, 26, has been hospitalized since Sunday, November 1, when he suffered a neck injury in the Lions’ game against the Minnesota Vikings at Detroit’s Ford Field.
Details about Campbell’s condition have been held close to the vest. “Preliminary indications are positive and out of respect for Jack and his family we will not share further information at this time,” the Lions shared via social media on Monday, November 2.
Henning, who worked at the Detroit News for 40 years before retiring in 2019, was roundly criticized for his statement.
One critic called Henning “out of touch” and urged him to “respect people’s privacy.”
Henning responded, “Some people will always circle the wagons and protect players from media. They have no great devotion to truth or to facts, and their softness isn’t confined to sports.”
Another person argued Henning “demanding confidential medical information isn’t very professional.”
“Sure it’s professional,” Henning wrote back. “Jack Campbell was hurt Sunday, visibly and traumatically, on the national sports stage. Potential threats to his ambulatory future, and even to his life, immediately were of immense anxiety. That it has been two days with nothing close to a detailed explanation of his condition does no one any favors. To ask, to wonder how he is and what’s ahead, is showing Jack Campbell every consideration and measure of compassion. Any degree of medical information would be proper and appreciated.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Jack is “improving” during a radio appearance on Tuesday.
“It’s not easy because he’s gonna always be on our minds over here,” Dan, 50, said Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, adding, “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.”
Jack has been ruled out for the Lions’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 8.
