Calais Campbell’s journey to 100 career sacks took 16 seasons. He is only the 42nd player in NFL history to have reached the century mark. He is one of only six active players in the league to have done so. To commemorate Campbell reaching and surpassing 100 career sacks, AtlantaFalcons.com travels back in time with Campbell as he reflects on some of his most memorable moments.
Campbell discusses the sack that never came, but the moment that made up for it when he faced a legend on the third of five stories.
Calais Campbell can go on and on about the 100 sacks he’s had in his career. He has a lot of stories to tell you. He can recall a good number of the 51 quarterbacks he’s sacked on his way to the century mark.
The sacks he didn’t get, on the other hand, are the ones that bother Campbell the most. None more than the sack he’s been missing. Or, even better, the name he’s been missing from his quarterback graveyard.
Peyton Manning was never sacked by Campbell.
“That one hurts,” he confessed.
Campbell grew up in Denver and was a huge fan of Manning. Manning came to a camp where Campbell was participating when he was 15 years old. Campbell’s adolescent mind formed a thought as Manning stood before him.
“I remember thinking to myself: ‘One day I’m going to sack him,” said Campbell.
But he never did.
“I hit him a whole bunch,” he said, “but I just couldn’t bring him down.”
There was a hint of dejection in Campbell’s voice as he spoke about Manning. Before Manning retired in 2016, Campbell faced him a couple of times.
Manning is the one who escaped. Literally.
Campbell trailed off as memories of Manning flashed through his mind, but his deep voice perked back up.
“I did intercept him, though!” he exclaimed.
Manning was intercepted by Campbell in October of 2014. Manning attempted to hit his running back leaking forward towards the line of scrimmage on 2nd-and-20. That’s when Campbell jumped in front of Manning’s intended receiver and delivered the pass.
It’s unclear how Manning missed a 6-foot-8, 287-pound Campbell jumping the route.
Campbell turned and lumbered towards the end zone, the ball in his arms. The Broncos were on their own 28-yard line at the time.
Manning was the only player standing between Campbell and a pick-6. Manning dove for Campbell’s legs, tripping him up.
Manning could have had an All-Pro career as a linebacker if the quarterbacking thing didn’t work out, according to Campbell.
That October day would be Manning and Campbell’s final meeting on the field.
And, while Campbell never got the sack he craved – the one he still misses in his catalog – he’ll take the interception any day.
“There’s some solace there,” he remarked, smiling.
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