The Detroit News reported on an incident involving the coach of the Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell, whose home address was shared on Snapchat by a classmate of his daughter after the team’s playoff loss in January. This, among other incidents of people turning up uninvited, preceded the Campbell family’s decision to move to a new house earlier in the year. The house was listed on the market for $4.5 million.
Reports indicated that Campbell and his wife were further harassed when service-industry related individuals, such as locksmiths and roofers, were also sent to their Bloomfield Township house as part of this targeted harassment. According to the report, Campbell was not aware of how his information was leaked. As a result, he requested extra police patrol to ensure his family’s safety.
The situation escalated after the team’s January 28 loss to San Francisco in the NFC Championship, which led to some fans expressing their anger over the loss by invading Campbell’s privacy. His personal address, accompanied by a foul comment about him, was circulated on Snapchat by one of his daughter’s classmates. This prompted several fans to begin showing up outside their residence, prompting fear within the family, particularly Campbell’s daughter.
In response to the situation, the security team of the Lions made the decision to get in touch with the local police, making them aware that Campbell’s address had been shared online, resulting in numerous people and vehicles showing up outside the family’s home. The NFL’s security officer also contacted the police the following day regarding the classmate’s actions on Snapchat.
With the help of the local police, the boy’s mother and school security were informed about his posting of Campbell’s address. The classmate confessed that he reposted the address after seeing it on another post on Snapchat. It was further revealed that he and other classmates had driven to Campbell’s home post the NFC Championship game, shouting at the house before leaving.
The entire ordeal which took place in the suburban area of Bloomfield Township, northwest of Detroit, has since been reported by The Associated Press. With the family now residing at a new location, the authorities, the school, and the NFL security continue to investigate the incident, and appropriate steps are being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
