Calais Campbell, at 40 years old, carved his name deeper into NFL history this past Sunday, pulling off something only two other legends have ever managed. With the Browns on third-and-5 in the first quarter, Campbell absolutely ate up Deshaun Watson, shedding his blocker for a crucial 8-yard sack that stopped the drive cold and forced a punt back to Campbell’s Baltimore Ravens. Yeah, Watson found out firsthand that Campbell is still very much good at this game.
The Play That Shook the Field
That sack wasn’t just a routine defensive play, it was a statement. When Campbell brought Watson down for that 8-yard loss, it wasn’t just about forcing a punt; it was about a 40-year-old showing the entire league he’s still a force. This guy told everyone in the preseason he was back because he still loves football and, more importantly, he’s still good at it. Sunday proved him right. You gotta respect that kind of relentless drive.
Joining an Exclusive Club of NFL Icons
That takedown of Watson officially etched Campbell into one of the most exclusive defensive clubs in NFL history. According to the Fox broadcast, he became only the third 40-year-old to ever record a sack. Think about that for a second. We’re talking about Hall of Famers. The only other guys to do it were Bruce Smith back in 2003 with Washington and Clay Matthews Jr. in 1996 with the Atlanta Falcons. Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, just hit his 118th career sack with that play, his first of this season, in his return to the Ravens after a three-season run from 2020-22.
Why is he still out there, dominating at an age when most players are years into retirement? He put it perfectly back in June when he decided to rejoin Baltimore: “Everybody’s just like, why you keep doing this?” Campbell said. “I think the only answer I can really say is I love the game. I love it. I’m still fairly good at it. And they still want me to play. So why not?” Why not, indeed? If Sunday’s performance is any indication, there’s still plenty of gas in that tank. What else does this legendary defensive end have up his sleeve for the rest of his 40-year-old season? We’re all watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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