Tragedy strikes Iowa football All American Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell is a young man with a strong faith. He is also the unquestioned leader of the Iowa football team and he showed that once again on Saturday afternoon as he helped lead the Hawkeye defense as the shutout Kentucky in a 21-0 win in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
As Campbell enjoyed celebrating with his teammates on the field at Nissan Stadium after his team leading ten tackle performance, including two tackles for loss and a sack, he received tragic news. The consensus All American was informed by his family that his grandfather, William Smith, passed away after being involved in a traffic accident in Nashville.
“Our hearts are with Jack and his entire family as they grieve the tragic death of their grandfather and father, William Smith, Jr.,” said Moon Family head football coach Kirk Ferentz. “We know Mr. Smith was a strong influence on his grandson and a faithful Hawkeye football supporter. All of us – players, coaches and staff members – will keep the Campbell family in our thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time.”
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Smith is the father of his step-mother Jen. He was in Nashville to attend the bowl game and watch his grandson play one final game in an Iowa uniform. Campbell had recently earned consensus All American honors. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Campbell was also the winner of the Butkus Award, which is given to the top linebacker in the country. He also was named the winner of the William Campbell Award by the National Football Foundation.
Campbell finishes his senior season with 128 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, and a pair of interceptions. For his Iowa career, Campbell finishes with 305 tackles. He is the 19th player in school history to reach 300 career tackles at the University of Iowa.
