The New England Patriots’ rookie left tackle Will Campbell, has admitted he has an irrational fear of cats, just days before he faces Seattle Seahawks defensive star Leonard “Big Cat” Williams in the Super Bowl.
Campbell made the comments on Tuesday in Santa Clara, California, during media availability ahead of Sunday’s game. The moment quickly became a talking point because Campbell’s Super Bowl job will involve stopping a man whose nickname is literally “Big Cat.”
While Campbell wasn’t referring to Williams directly, the timing could not be worse, or funnier, as the Patriots prepare for one of the toughest pass rush challenges of the season.
Why does Will Campbell’s “cats” comment matter ahead of the Super Bowl?
Campbell’s comments may sound like a harmless joke, but the situation matters because the Patriots’ entire Super Bowl plan relies on him protecting quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside.
In the NFL, the left tackle plays one of the most important roles on the pitch. If Campbell struggles, Maye takes hits. If Maye takes hits, the Patriots’ offence stalls. And if the offence stalls, the Super Bowl can slip away quickly.
That puts Campbell right in the spotlight, especially against Seattle’s aggressive defensive front.
What exactly did Will Campbell say about cats?
Speaking to reporters, Campbell said his greatest irrational fear was simply: “Cats.”
He then explained the story behind it, describing a frightening moment at a friend’s house during high school when a cat attacked him in a dark room.
Will Campbell shared today that he is afraid of cats. He then shared a splendid story why.
“I was staying the night at my boy’s house in high school. I went in the room I was sleeping in. It was pitch black. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. I take my shirt off.… pic.twitter.com/aPnBOBg2mI
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) February 3, 2026
Campbell told reporters, “So crazy. I went into the room that I was sleeping in, and it was pitch black, dark. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. And I take my shirt off, I’m about to get into bed, and I just hear [a screech].
And a cat jumped out from under this bed onto my leg. I booted that thing.”
When asked if he really kicked the cat, he confirmed it: “Yeah, I kicked it. [It was] biting me. I’m not gonna just let it.”
The quote quickly made the rounds because of the irony: Campbell now faces one of the NFL’s most powerful defenders, nicknamed Leonard “Big Cat” Williams.
Who is Leonard “Big Cat” Williams, and why is he a nightmare match-up?
Leonard Williams has built a reputation as one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in American football. He uses a mix of strength and quick movement to collapse pockets and force quarterbacks into mistakes.
The Patriots will likely assign Campbell to deal with Williams on key snaps, especially when Seattle lines him up on the edge or runs stunts to confuse blockers.
Even a small mistake can lead to a sack, a fumble, or a drive-ending penalty.
How has Will Campbell performed in his rookie season so far?
Campbell entered the NFL with major expectations after the Patriots selected him No. 4 overall in April.
His first season has been mixed. He impressed at times, but he also missed four games with an MCL injury, which disrupted his development and rhythm.
According to Campbell, he suffered the injury on 23 November and only returned for the Patriots’ regular-season finale on 4 January. He admitted he didn’t feel fully back to normal until the AFC Championship game.
Campbell explained: “I didn’t play for five weeks. When I did get hurt, I felt like I was playing pretty good ball… I just felt like last week was the first week that I felt like myself back out there.”
Has Will Campbell struggled in the playoffs?
Yes, and the numbers show why the Super Bowl feels like a make-or-break test.
In the Patriots’ playoff run, Campbell has allowed heavy pressure on the quarterback:
- 10 pressures
- 4 sacks allowed
- Those numbers came across games against the Chargers and Texans
In the AFC Championship game in Denver, he improved slightly:
- 5 pressures allowed
- 0 sacks allowed
That progress matters, but the Super Bowl represents another jump in difficulty, especially against a defensive front like Seattle’s.
How has Mike Vrabel helped Will Campbell handle the pressure?
Campbell credited Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for keeping him confident during the rough patches.
Campbell said: “He’s great. It’s not easy to come back for an injury… but not only Vrabes, all the coaches, all the training staff, my teammates were also extremely helpful to me mentally.”
That mental support matters because offensive linemen often take criticism more harshly than other players. They rarely get praise, but fans notice every sack.
What does the Super Bowl “cat-and-mouse” battle mean for the Patriots?
The match-up between Will Campbell and Leonard “Big Cat” Williams could decide the game.
If Campbell holds his ground, Drake Maye gets time to throw, the Patriots can run their offence properly, and New England controls the tempo.
If Williams breaks through, the Patriots may have to:
- Keep extra blockers in protection
- Use quick passes only
- Limit deep throws
- Abandon longer-developing plays
That would reduce the playbook and make the Patriots easier to defend.
In Super Bowls, that kind of limitation usually costs teams the trophy.
Why should British viewers care about Will Campbell?
NFL viewership has continued to grow across the UK, with Super Bowl parties now a major annual event in cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow.
For casual UK fans, the Campbell story is exactly what makes American football easy to follow: a clear personal narrative mixed with a simple sporting reality: stop the big man, or your quarterback gets flattened.
Campbell also represents the modern NFL storyline: young talent thrown straight into elite-level pressure with the world watching.
