What ya gonna do when the Lions run wild on you?
That was the recurring theme in training camp on Thursday when WWE Hall of Famer and pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan stopped by to visit the team during their second day back on the job. He greeted players and especially palled around with Detroit Head Coach Dan Campbell. Hogan mentioned during his chat with the Lions that it was in the team’s former home, the Pontiac Silverdome, where he famously bodyslammed and defeated the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. It is considered one of the most iconic and titanic showdowns of all time in the squared circle.
Lions Get a Visit from the Hulkster
Hulk Hogan is at Lions training camp pic.twitter.com/mNKzMvVo5x
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 25, 2024
Hulk Hogan has been making the rounds and making the news recently. His appearance at the Republican National Convention – where he pledged his support to the party’s 2024 nominee and former, President Donald Trump – garnered a lot of attention. Some of the scrutiny has been negative, due to the volatile nature of American politics today. Undaunted, Hogan seemed to be enjoying himself hanging out with the NFL players and coaching staff.
The Hulkster had a particular fondness for Dan Campbell. Hogan said that the Lions coach, known for his gritty coaching mentality, would have fit in well in the world of professional wrestling. He even tagged Campbell with a new nickname: “Dirty Dan”
“He probably missed his calling,” Hogan said, according to the Associated Press. “I would want him as my tag-team partner because I would let him do all the work.”
He also mentioned at the Lions training camp that he would love to see a future WrestleMania come back to the Motor City. The 1987 event in Detroit drew over 80,000 fans, at the time an indoor stadium record. Before leaving Hogan also cut a pro wrestling style ‘promo’ with the Campbell.
“Campbell-mania, brother, is going to run wild this year,” Hogan said in the video. “Super Bowl. Nothing but greatness. Nothing but victory. So, what ya gonna do when the Detroit Lions and Campbell-mania run wild on you, brother?”
Campbell acknowledged the former WWE Champion and thanked him for his visit.
“You’re the best,” the coach said. “Appreciate you, man. Great to meet you.”
A Bit of Backlash
Not everyone was happy to see Hogan mingling with the team. Several fans posted on social media outlets that the 70-year-old, retired wrestler’s past should have been considered. In 2016, the former WWE star won a nine-figure lawsuit against Gawker Media that ultimately bankrupted them and shut down their website. He was rewarded that judgment due to the media outlet exposing a video of Hogan having sex with the wife of a then-friend, famed DJ Bubba the Love Sponge.
However, Hogan is heard audibly using racial slurs, particularly when discussing his daughter Brooke, an aspiring musician, working with (and possibly) dating black men in the music industry. The comments did near irreparable damage to his public image and buried the ‘hero’ myth of Hulkamania. Fueling that fire was his speech in support of Trump and the Republican Party in this year’s election The former President has been a lightning rod of controversy since stepping into the political realm nearly 10 years ago. So, there was some natural backlash from that, but Hogan insists that he simply isn’t holding back about saying what’s on his mind about politics.
Coupled with Hogan’s past comments, many Lions followers felt it was bad form to have him in camp. Ultimately, Hogan was in Detroit mostly as part of a promotional tour for his new beer brand. Also visiting Lions training camp was boxer Claressa Shields, who will challenge women’s WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on Saturday night in Detroit.
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