Detroit Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown recently revealed that he wasn’t exactly thrilled when the team drafted him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In a candid interview, St. Brown shared his initial disappointment and how his perception of Detroit changed over time.
During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, St. Brown admitted he was hoping to be picked by a team with a stronger reputation and a more prominent quarterback. Specifically, he had his eyes on teams like the Green Bay Packers—where his brother Equanimeous played at the time—or the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes. When the call from Detroit came through, he recognized the Michigan area code and immediately thought, “It’s over with. I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s going to be in the middle of nowhere. Team isn’t good. I probably know two players on the roster.”
Adding to his frustration was the fact that he had fallen to the fourth round, a drop that fueled his early career with a chip on his shoulder. St. Brown has been open about using the disappointment from that day as motivation, famously memorizing the names of every wide receiver drafted before him.
Despite his initial concerns, St. Brown’s time in Detroit has been nothing short of stellar. Over the past few seasons, he’s emerged as one of the most productive receivers in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors and playing a key role in the Lions’ resurgence. His chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff and leadership on the field have made him a fan favorite.
Looking back, St. Brown said, “I don’t think there’s another place where I could have done what I’ve done here, with the people that are around me—the coaches, my teammates, the fans, the city.”
From skepticism to stardom, St. Brown’s journey with the Lions is a testament to growth, resilience, and the power of embracing the unexpected.