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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

While the sporting world went gaga over the 49ers vs Chiefs contest, LeBron James had other ideas. Following the NFC Championships games, the NFL world would witness a repeat of the 2020 Super Bowl contest. However, amid this frenzy, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar took a moment to appreciate the Detroit Lions coach, Dan Campbell, who missed the opportunity to take his team to their maiden Super Bowl.

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The Lions, after taking a massive lead in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers, gave it away for a close 34-31 loss. Following the game, James took to his Instagram stories and penned an encouraging message for Campbell. He shared a quote from the coach’s post-game interview, which read, “This may have been our only shot.” And also wrote, “Love this dude!!! He’s a fkn SOLDIER and great Coach!!”

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Dan Campbell also showcased the faith in his team with a thunderous statement in the post-game press conference. He said, “It’s a lesson learned… This may have been our only shot. Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No. I know how hard it is to get here… It’s tough.”  

This wasn’t just a one-time show from the Lions. Campbell had it brewing over the last three seasons. He turned the franchise’s ‘loser’ label into a thriving team. Along with that, he also made several infamous calls and made them work in their favor. Moreover, he led the team to their first-ever NFC Championships game since 1991.

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And, he almost got the job done by taking the team to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Following the game, he was widely criticized for making the attempt for a 36-yard field goal instead of the conservative approach in the third quarter.

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However, on the other hand, LeBron James took the call to stand in solidarity with the coach despite the uproar.

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King James’ love for football

Every loyal James fan would know the superstar’s love for football. The 4x champ often took his social media, making opinions and dropping praises on the NFL stars. And, as a fellow sports person, he understood the idea behind taking tough and infamous calls. Hence, he decided to stand in solidarity with Campbell.

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Moreover, King James, in his career, has fallen short on the big stage multiple times. But, came back stronger every season.

What do you make of LeBron James’ gesture to laud the losing team’s coach? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shahul Hameed

3,017 Articles

Shahul Hameed is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Master's Degree in journalism from a distinguished institute, his journey into sports writing began during his college days, and since then, Shahul has been captivated not only by the remarkable consistency of Stephen Curry but also by the enduring legacy of LeBron James. He specializes in covering the live basketball action. When games aren’t on, beyond covering trade rumors and match reports, Shahul actively engages with fan bases, ensuring he is attuned to the ever-changing NBA landscape. His dedication to his craft finds an equal match in his admiration for the storytelling and cinematic brilliance of Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and Wes Anderson.

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