When you think we’re mired in the deep, dark chasm of the NFL offseason, the football gods bestow upon us something to savor. And no, I’m not referring to Netflix’s receiver series, though our own Max Gerber has shared his thoughts on episode one.
Instead, I’ll delve into Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s appearance on “The Pivot” podcast with former NFL veterans Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder.
It’s been an eventful offseason for St. Brown, though I doubt he’s complaining. Earlier this spring, St. Brown inked a substantial contract extension with the team, solidifying his status among the NFL’s top-paid receivers following an extraordinary 2023 season that earned him first-team All-Pro accolades.
During the podcast, St. Brown touched on numerous familiar topics with the trio, including his emotions on draft night, the competitive edge that drives him, and more. However, there were new revelations as well.
We already knew about St. Brown’s close relationship with his parents. With his father being a world-champion bodybuilder and his mother hailing from Germany, St. Brown’s upbringing was unique compared to many of his peers. While we had heard anecdotes about his father taking the three brothers from Orange County to Compton for weekend training, it was fascinating to hear St. Brown discuss how actively involved his father, John, was in their practice sessions.
The conversation also covered Lions coach Dan Campbell’s leadership. St. Brown praised Campbell for his consistency, noting how he remained the same person when the team started the 2022 season with a dismal 1-6 record as he was when they found success in 2023.
“Nah, he’s never changed,” said St. Brown. “You can ask any player on the team that knows him. He’s the same guy every day—winning, losing, whatever it is. And I would say from my rookie year to now, it’s the same. He’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. One of the best coaches.”
High praise from a fiercely competitive player. Given Campbell’s competitive nature, it’s no surprise that he and St. Brown are so in sync.
The discussion also revisited St. Brown’s draft experience, his new contract, and the heightened expectations for the Lions and the city of Detroit.
When Taylor asked if he felt any pressure now that his contract extension was finalized, St. Brown’s response was unsurprising.
“I feel like I gotta go harder. I don’t know if that’s normal,” said the All-Pro receiver. “I don’t feel pressure. I don’t feel pressure in life. I just feel like pressure is what you make of it. I feel like I gotta go harder because there are more eyes on me now.”
With some players, there’s concern that they might lose their drive after securing a significant contract and life-changing money. With St. Brown, those worries can be safely laid to rest.
Leave a Reply