The Buffalo Bills will try to take down the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Sean McDermott thinks he can score a takedown on Dan Campbell.
McDermott was asked if any NFL coach besides Campbell could beat him in a wrestling match by Eric Wood on the Built In Buffalo podcast.
The Bills head coach didn't grapple with the question. He'd win the coaching royal rumble.
"No. And Dan Campbell couldn't, either," McDermott said. "Let's just set that straight right now."
The Bills and Lions are in the same weight class as Super Bowl contenders, but Campbell's football playing weight was nearly 100 pounds greater than McDermott's.
Wood, who played his entire nine-year career at center with the Bills and is a team color commentator, said he knew phrasing the question with Campbell would tick off McDermott, and inquired about young coaches like former NFL players Jerod Mayo, 38, and DeMeco Ryans, 40.
McDermott shook his head.
"No," McDermott said. "Listen, this would be like me saying to you as a center and a player that was extremely confident in his own abilities, 'Hey, you're going to go up against Aaron Donald.' And I guarantee if I would've said that to you, you would've been like 'So.'
"Same thing. Winners mentality. Until someone shows you that they're better than you, you have to believe that you're better than them."
McDermott and Campbell are known for their relentless work ethic and blue-collar upbringings.
McDermott, who started wrestling at age 4, was a two-time National Prep School Champion and All-Catholic selection at 171 pounds at LaSalle College High School in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He went unbeaten in 75 consecutive matches and was named the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Wrestler of the Year.
McDermott competed in the 1993 USA High School Wrestling Tournament, going 2-2 and facing the eventual national champion.
"My wrestling background, that's been a big part of me and my life and growing up and really helped shape me into the person I am today," McDermott said shortly after he was hired by the Bills in 2017. "There's a lot of life lessons you learn through wrestling."
McDermott has hosted Olympic gold medal wrestler Jordan Burroughs to speak to the Bills multiple times.
He's kept in shape with mixed martial arts training and has a wrestling mat in his home.
Leg joints are not safe in a McDermott-Campbell main event. McDermott's go-to takedown in high school was a low single takedown, meaning McDermott prefers applying pressure to kneecaps and Campbell famously bites and takes kneecaps.
Sean McDermott vs. Dan Campbell tale of the tape
Sean McDermott
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Age: 50
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Height: Unknown
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Weight: Playing weight in college was 171 pounds
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Reach: Beating the Chiefs in the playoffs
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Wrestling career: Back-to-back national prep school champion in 1992 and 1993 at 171 pounds; 61-0 record in final two years; Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Wrestler of the Year; had offer to wrestling at University of Virginia.
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High school career: Attended North Penn High School in Pennsylvania and transferred to La Salle College High School. All-Southeastern Pennsylvania honors in football in 1992.
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College career: William & Mary Hall of Famer made the team as a walk-on safety before earning a full scholarship and played in 46 games, 26 starts. McDermott finished his career with 322 tackles, 20 passes defended, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. The Tribe won the Yankee Conference title in 1996 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. He was a team captain as a senior in 1997 and named third-team all-conference and second-team All-ECAC. McDermott was an Academic All-Conference selection in 1996 and 1997, and named a National Strength and Conditioning All-Ameriasn.
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Coaching career:
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Head coaching record: 88-50 (.638); 83-44 (.654) regular season; 5-6 (.455) postseason
Dan Campbell
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Age: 48
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Height: 6 feet, 5 inches
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Weight: 265 pounds when playing in the NFL
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Reach: Not consuming caffeine for 24 hours
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Wrestling career: Wrestled steer at his family's ranch.
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High school career: Running back and tight end at Glen Rose High School in Texas.
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College career: Four years at Texas A&M as a tight end, finishing with 27 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
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NFL career: Third-round pick, No. 79 overall, by New York Giants in 1999 NFL Draft. Played nine seasons, three each with the Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Spent his final year on injured reserve with New Orleans Saints. Recorded 91 career catches for 934 yards nd 11 touchdowns.
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Coaching career: Miami Dolphins coaching intern (2010); Dolphins tight ends coach (2011-2015); Dolphins interim head coach (2015); New Orleans Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach (2016-2020); Detroit Lions head coach (2021-present).
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Head coaching record: 43-35-1 (.551); 41-34-1 (.546) regular season ; 2-1 (.667) postseason
