Born in Binghamton, New York, Campbell played high school football for the Lewis and Clark Tigers in Spokane, Washington, and graduated in 1962.

He then played college football at the University of Idaho in Moscow, about 100 miles (160 km) south, and was a three-year starter for the Vandals on defense under head coaches Dee Andros and Steve Musseau.

As a result, Campbell was a CFL All-Star for seven straight years (1969–1975) for the Rough Riders and played a significant part on three Grey Cup championship teams for them, in 1968, 1969, and 1973.

Campbell finished his CFL career where he started, in Calgary, but played only 2 games with the team in 1976.

For his high level of play and consistency over many years, Campbell was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.