Dan Campbell appears to be throwing shade at the NFL for hypocrisy within hypocrisy

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t known for stirring the pot too often. He is excellent at avoiding controversial topics and does very well on the podium. I don’t think it’s fair to say he slipped on Monday, but we did see a rare moment where he threw some subtle — and deserved — criticism at the NFL regarding their party policies.

The Lions haven’t shied away from celebrating all season, and they’ve gotten creative in doing so. They’ve paid tribute to both Allen Iverson and Marshawn Lynch, they’ve tapped “Dragon Ball Z” with a kamehameha celebration, and they’ve gone bowling.

Campbell said he has no problem with the players and their celebrations as long as they don’t hurt the team.

“I tell our guys, ‘Hey, as long as you don’t cost us 15 (yards).'” Campbell said Monday. “I’m good at whatever they do. So they have fun with it, they’re creative, they like to push the boundaries of whatever they are.”

However, the pushing boundaries part has got the lions in a bit of trouble. Jameson Williams’ crotch tribute to Lynch earned him a $19,697 fine for an “obscene gesture.” Jahmyr Gibbs’ fumble on his second touchdown against the Colts cost the team 15 yards. And while Campbell knows it’s up to the team to abide by the rules, he acknowledged the league can be a bit hypocritical about celebrations.

A reporter said the league is allowing more celebrations to happen, which is a good thing for fans, but Campbell quickly hit back.

“Well, that depends on what it is, if the league lets it happen, right?” Campbell said. “They will use whatever they need for (the) content.”

Although Campbell doesn’t elaborate on these thoughts, it’s not hard to figure out what he’s talking about. The league can fine and punish some of these celebrations, but they have no problem using them to promote the league. Case in point: the move Williams was fined for? It is the premier thumbnail in The NFL’s official YouTube highlights from that game:

The league has certainly relaxed some of their party policies, but Campbell is right to point out that hypocrisy still exists. Either way, it doesn’t sound like Campbell has any intention of cracking down on his own team’s celebrations.

“I know our guys are having fun with it, and I think that’s important.”