LOOK: Lions’ Dan Campbell wears racing helmet to press convention, will grand marshal Detroit Grand Prix

As the brand new head coach of the Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell is making an attempt to instill sure values into his workforce: Particularly, a way of pleasure to switch the stigma of being the most-historic of the NFL‘s wayward franchises. In doing that, Campbell’s strategies have been a contact unconventional — as is certainly one of his methods of connecting with the higher Detroit space.

On Thursday, Dan Campbell started his press convention throughout Lions OTAs by carrying a full-size racing helmet after being named the grand marshal of the upcoming Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix for the NTT IndyCar Collection. Campbell, who’s getting into his first season as Lions head coach, will give the command to begin engines for the primary race of the Twin in Detroit double-header.

“I do know I am a bit muffled, however I figured I might begin with this,” Campbell stated. “I wish to thank the Detroit Grand Prix for permitting me to be grand marshal on June 12 at Belle Isle. As you may see, I am fairly enthusiastic about that. It provides me an opportunity to exit and see a few of our followers who I do know shall be on the market, however then simply watch race round some good individuals. I am fairly enthusiastic about it.”

After taking part in a decade as an NFL tight finish — together with for the Lions from 2006 to 2008 — Campbell is in his first full-time head teaching job after beforehand serving as interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2015. Campbell has already attracted some notoriety as he tries to instill a tradition of toughness within the Lions, most notably when he declared the Lions could be the type of workforce that might “chunk a kneecap off” in his introductory press convention. Unsurprisingly, the “kneecap biters” moniker has caught within the months since then.

The Detroit Grand Prix, which includes a pair of races at Detroit’s Belle Isle, has served because the IndyCar race instantly following the Indianapolis 500 for the final decade. After six races up to now this season, teenager Alex Palou leads the IndyCar standings by 36 factors over six-time and defending collection champion Scott Dixon.