Dan Campbell says Sam LaPorta's growth as a blocker makes him more valuable than ever
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta put up big receiving numbers as a rookie in 2023, but his stats haven't looked quite as good in the season and a half since then. Lions head coach Dan Campbell says, however, that LaPorta is actually contributing more to the Lions than ever, in ways that most people aren't noticing.
Campbell said on 97.1 The Ticket that LaPorta has grown so much as a blocker that he's making a major impact on the Lions' running game, as well as on some passing downs when he doesn't run routes. Campbell named LaPorta first when asked which Lions have grown this season.
"There's a number of guys that have taken big steps. One of the guys, the first one I think of is Sam LaPorta," Campbell said. "I think Sam has taken another step forward. Sometimes what not everybody sees about Sam, he's got to do everything. He's got to pass protect, he's got to run block and certainly as a receiver he's got value. The guy can do it all. Where he's taken his biggest jump is in the run game and pass protection, and continues to be a threat in the pass game. I love where he's at right now."
LaPorta had 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023. Last year his receiving production declined to 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. This year he has 29 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns. But LaPorta is playing a higher percentage of the Lions' offensive snaps than ever, and he's called on to block more than he's called on to catch. And Campbell says LaPorta's blocking is better than ever.
Apple Store Employees Mock “Poorly Dressed Customer” — 48 Hours Later, Realize They Insulted NFL Star Ashton Jeanty
When Ashton Jeanty, the 21-year-old breakout running back of the Las Vegas Raiders
Witnesses at the Downtown Summerlin Apple Store in Las Vegas said Jeanty, dressed simply in gym shorts, slides, and a hoodie after a grueling morning workout, was mistaken for a broke college student by two store employees. One of them reportedly muttered about “people wasting time window-shopping,” not realizing the man standing right in front of them was one of the NFL’s most promising young stars — and a multimillion-dollar athlete.
“He didn’t react or get defensive,” said one onlooker. “He just smiled, stayed polite, and asked about the new model. You could tell he was grounded — but they had no idea who they were dealing with.”
According to reports, Jeanty quietly left the store and later that afternoon purchased six iPhone 17 Pro Max units at another Apple Store — one for himself and the rest as gifts for teammates and Raiders staff. Two days later, the same “broke kid” those employees dismissed was seen on
“Imagine mocking Ashton Jeanty at an Apple Store, then seeing him run for 150 yards and two TDs that same weekend,” one fan joked in a viral post that has now surpassed over a million views on X (formerly Twitter).
By the time the story spread nationally, Apple had reportedly contacted Jeanty to issue a formal apology. Sources close to the player say he wasn’t upset — in fact, he laughed about it.
“He’s one of the most humble guys you’ll ever meet,” said a Raiders teammate. “That’s Ashton — no ego, no drama. He could buy the entire store, but that’s just not who he is. He’d rather let his performance do the talking.”
The incident has since become a nationwide talking point, not because of scandal, but because it’s a timeless reminder that humility is more powerful than pride — and that real class doesn’t need to announce itself.
