BREAKING: Lions LB Star Challenges NFL, Declares He Won’t Change His Style: “I’m Going to Keep Punching, Even If They Fine Me!”

The Detroit Lions are witnessing a fiery response after the NFL issued a league-wide memo warning defenders about “punch-out” attempts — the technique of punching the ball loose from a ball carrier. Despite the league’s caution that mistimed strikes could now draw personal foul penalties, the linebacker refuses to change. With the trademark grit of Detroit, he declared, “I’m going to keep punching. If I miss, screw it — that’s how I play.”

Known for his hard-nosed, fundamentally sound style, the second-year linebacker has no plans to soften his approach. He put it bluntly: “Anyone who’s played in the NFL knows how hard punch-outs are. But if you want to make a difference, you’ve got to take risks.” That fearless attitude has turned him into a symbol of Detroit’s relentless mindset — no backing down, no fear of penalties, just a hunger to take the ball away by any means necessary.

Under the NFL’s new directive, defenders who attempt punch-outs but hit the ball carrier instead of the ball could face personal fouls. The change has frustrated many defenders, who believe the league is watering down the physical nature that defines football. He even joked, “Guess I’ll end up with 150 personal fouls this season. That’ll be fun.” His sarcasm carried a clear message: a direct challenge to the NFL’s crackdown.

BREAKING: Lions LB Star Challenges NFL, Declares He Won’t Change His Style: “I’m Going to Keep Punching, Even If They Fine Me!” pic.twitter.com/5cRvohHX10

— Adam Schefler (@ScheflerAdamUs) October 18, 2025

He has good reason to trust his technique. He’s already made it work — recording a strip-sack against Lamar Jackson and forcing a fumble from Bengals running back Chase Brown earlier this season. Those punch-outs helped Detroit rank near the top of the league in forced fumbles. For him, it’s more than just a tactic — it’s a statement of identity, an embodiment of the Lions’ aggressive and fearless defensive culture.
“They can fine me, flag me, or call me reckless — but I play this game with my heart, not a rulebook. Every punch I throw isn’t about hurting someone, it’s about fighting for this team, for this city, and for every inch we earn. That’s Detroit football — we don’t back down, we hit harder.” — Jack Campbell

While some argue the NFL’s move is about player safety, defenders like him see it as an attempt to sanitize the game. “They’re mad at me for punching someone,” he said. “But we’ve got pads on. If anything, it hurts my hand more.” His half-joking tone exposed a deeper tension — between the league’s pursuit of safety and the players’ instinct to play fast, physical, and fearless football.

The punch-out technique was made famous by former Bears corner Charles “Peanut” Tillman, who turned it into an art form, forcing over 40 fumbles in his career. He has openly studied Tillman’s approach, carrying that legacy forward. Now, he’s become its modern heir — determined to keep punching, even if it means fines, flags, or controversy.

This season’s Lions defense has been defined by its intensity — fast, physical, and always hungry for turnovers. He embodies that identity. Each punch-out attempt is more than just a defensive play; it’s a statement: “We’re not afraid of anyone. This is real football.” For him, a few penalties are a small price to pay for the chance to shift momentum and define the tone of a game.

And when he says, “I’m going to keep punching,” he’s not just talking about a move — he’s expressing a philosophy. In a league increasingly obsessed with safety, he stands for the primal heart of football: speed, contact, and willpower. The NFL can make rules, but it can’t legislate away the fighting spirit of the Detroit Lions. And he is the living proof of that truth.