Detroit Lions players meet with the media | September 11, 2025

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | September 11, 2025

Before we get started, I know I talked about it on Sunday a little bit. I want to um give a special shout out to the Ford family. You know, um I’m excited to be here for more years and, you know, um keep this thing going with my brothers and everybody in the in the building. How important was it for you to stay in Detroit? It seems like you kind of um it was important. You know, I found a home here. You know, I feel very comfortable with the with the staff and, you know, my brothers that I play with and go to war with every week. So, you know, um that was the main thing. You know, my brothers came, my brothers was on my mind going out and going to war with them, you know. Um I wouldn’t want to do it with nobody else different, you know, by the way we practice and go hard with each other all year, year round. So, you know, that was the main thing. Time with it though today coming the day before the season. Did it help you focus it? What was your reaction just getting that out the way before the season started? I really didn’t have like a big reaction towards it. Um, it was just another day to me because we had the game so I couldn’t really look at it like, oh, this happened, but we had we had a game the next day. So, I was really focused on the game. Um, I really didn’t get to enjoy it yet. Um, my little brother birthday Sunday. So, I think we going to do something on Sunday maybe with the family that’s coming down for this game. So, you think it’ll? Maybe. I hope it do. But, as of right now, I’ve been just moving regular. You got any like big purchase plan? Um, no. I just want to get my family straight. That’s my main thing. I want to get my family straight and take care of everybody that’s that’s been good to me. Was there a moment this off season when the line’s approaching that said they you want you to be part of this long-term plan? Um, it actually just happened maybe like two weeks ago. So, it was only two week convo and it just got done. So, it was quick. That gave you a little motivation though moving forward. I mean, you probably don’t need any extra. You’re already ready to go. Yeah, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t say that because money don’t motivate me, you know. Um, where I come from motivates me. You know, who I grew up with, where I grew up at, and how how I just, you know, found a way to make it out of there motivates me a lot. You know, um, the money is just it comes and it goes. You know, everybody look at it like it’s such a big thing, but, you know, if you do the right thing, then it’ll come. So, you know, what motivates me is, you know, the name on the back of my jersey and, you know, my family and friends and where we come from and how we used to live. It’s just one less thing to worry about. Yeah, for sure. What have you enjoyed most about playing here and connecting with the people of this city, Jim? Um, I enjoyed just the culture of Detroit, you know, um, when I came here, things was on the down side of the city, you know, losing games, you know, not winning, and it’s been going uphill ever since I got here. So, you know, um the culture has been change. I never I wouldn’t say it changed because it’s always been that, you know, the game’s always been packed out. You know, um since we was one and five my rookie year when we changed it around, you know, the game’s been selling out. Um you know, the city, you go around the city, it’s multiple fans approaching you, ask for pictures, autographs. I never had a bad interaction with a fan or nobody. I never tell a fan no to a picture or a signature. So, you know, um I just love the city and, you know, I love the culture of the city. It’s not too much different from home where I come from. Um a lot of the similarities and everything. So, you know, I just feel comfortable. Talk about I’m sorry, one more. Talk about this week. Uh and the Bears especially going into action with your brothers uh with one less thing to worry about. Uh think, uh everybody’s going to be ready to go when kickoff comes Sunday, correct? Oh, yeah. everybody. We’ve been ready to go since like camp. You know, last week we had a hiccup and you know, we just got to just got to fix our fix our mistakes and, you know, it’s a part of the game. Um, it’s just a part of the game. We just got to bounce back and, you know, come out and do what we do best. Um, play Lions football and and play for each other. One more. Um, what did Ben Johnson mean to you in your career? Um, he’s been a good guy, you know, great guy. um taught me a lot uh how to how to how to approach the game, you know. He taught me how to learn the game a lot, you know. Um we talked a lot. Um I talked to him a couple times this offseason. Um just checking up on him and and my little guy Luther Burton over there, my little brother. Um you know, I got hard time over there. So I was just, you know, calling him and I end up talking to Ben somehow. But, uh, you know, um, it’s it’s I I I appreciate everything he’s done for me, you know, and he’s helped me a lot and, you know, that’s just that. What’s it going to be like on Sunday whenever you see him on the other sideline? And it’ll be it’ll be it’ll probably be rough until after the game is over. You know, he’s he’s on the other side, his opponent, you know, say what’s up and then I’ll talk to him after the game. What about uh Randol? You don’t keep up with him at all with Antoine Randle? Oh, no. I don’t talk to coach no more. Um, I haven’t talked to him. I probably talked to him one time when I talked to Ben. They was together, but I haven’t talked to him since then. Thought about what it’s going to be like to see Ben Johnson and Antoine Rolo and number of other coaches on the opposite side. Yeah, I think it’ll be cool to say hi to them before the game. Um, catch up and then after that, no time to go to work. You excited to play? I’m excited. I’m excited to play them. Um, just to get back on track though. I think for us as a team, it’s going to be big. A big It’s a big game for us. Division game. um at home, first home game is always rocking, so I’m excited. What kind of work has gone in this week to make that happen? Uh I think, you know, well, I think we work hard every week. Um but after taking a loss like we did last week, um I think, you know, kind of woke guys up. Um I think everyone in this building, so I think we needed that. Um so I think guys, guys are excited. We’re fired up. um out in pract out on the practice field. I think guys are, you know, going maybe even a little extra harder than they were before. So, I think it it was it was good for us and um this this game is going to be big for us. Given what you’ve accomplished the last three years, are you surprised that you know so many people on the outside are freaking out, I guess, about you know, what happened Sunday? And do you feel like you guys deserve the benefit of the doubt to get things kind of writed? Seriously? Uh I’m not surprised from the reactions. I mean, we’ve won so many games the past few years. Um, you know, fans kind of get used to winning games and when you lose their heart’s kind of broken um just because they love the team so much. Um, so I get it. Um, you know, we want to win games. Everyone wants to win games, but um, you know, other teams are they get paid, too. Other players get paid. Um, and you know, we fell short last week, but I mean, we got a new week. That’s the beautiful thing about this league is you get to you get to play a new game each and every week. And so as long as you, you know, as long as you keep getting better, that’s that’s the biggest thing. How you learn to deal with that though? You think it’s just the the veteran locker room that y’all have where it’s not like we freaking out off one. How have you learned to deal with that personally at this point in your career? Uh, I think Yeah, I think like you said, the guys that we have um I think we got a great group of guys in our locker room, guys that have been here when we were losing uh for a while for, you know, those first two years and then was able to turn things around. So, a lot of us know what what it feels like to be on that on the other side of things. So, um, we’re resilient. Um, you know, guys that’ll never give up and I mean, when you have a bunch of good players, I feel like on our on our roster, um, we’re going to we’re going to figure out a way to make make things shake. So, are you and Ben still in touch at all? Like, I know not in season, but like since he took the job there, if you guys had any contact back and forth. I haven’t talked to him too much. um when he first got the job, I I think we, you know, we talked on FaceTime for a bit when he was, you know, when he first got the job, um just to catch up, but other than that, you know, I texted him, I think on his I think it was on his birthday. Um and other than that, I haven’t haven’t talked to him too much. What kind of reception do you expect him to receive on on Sunday? Um we’ll see. Um, I know the fans, um, the kind of bittersweet feeling of what happened, um, of how he left, but I think it’s going to be forfield is going to be rocking. When you reflect on, how did he impact your career? Uh, I love Ben, man. Ben is um, I’ll never really have anything, you know, bad to say about him just because of what what he did for me, um, as a player. Um, what he did for this team. Um, I remember when I first got here as a rookie, he was the tight end’s coach. Then they promoted him, I think, to pass game coordinator my rookie year and then he was the offensive coordinator and I feel like ever since, you know, he stepped in that role. Um, you know, I got more more catches, more opportunities. Um, he believed in me, he trusted me. So, um, and just the seeing the work ethic that he had. Um, I respect him as a as a coach, as a as a man. Um, and you know, I love Ben, but there’s two two games, you know, out of the year where I want him to where I want him to fail. So, we saw the uh the clip of you helping Isaac grab the ball after he scored the touchdown. Just what kind of relationship do you guys have? And, you know, I know he’s still pretty young, still week one, but uh, have you guys kind of seen that relationship blossom a little bit? Yeah, I love Isaac. Uh, I think he’s he’s coming along great. I think, you know, he’s he’s still young. He doesn’t really know what to expect. I feel like even after that catch, I mean, it was one of the craziest catches I’ve seen, but it’s almost as if like it wasn’t real for him. Um, but it kind of sucked in the moment the way that the catch went down the fourth quarter. Um, where, you know, didn’t really, not that it didn’t count, but it didn’t mean much in that game. But I think, um, he’s going to be great for us moving forward. Um, I think he’s right where he needs to be. Um, you know, increasing his ro I feel like each and every week. Um, he’s coming along and he’s doing everything right. I mean, on the field, off the field, um, getting us snacks. So, he’s doing a great job. We We heard about that, too. What was wrong with his snack game earlier? What did he do to improve? I don’t think anything was really wrong. U, I think during camp, we wanted some snacks. And so, you know, when I was a rookie, I me and the rookies, we went to the store and we got them. And so, we were telling him, you know, we want these snacks. We had a list. And so, he just went on Door Dash and Door Dash. I said, “No, no, no, no. Ain’t no Door Dash. You got to go pick it up.” So, um, he door dashed it the first time, but I saw him today, um, in the morning. He had a bag of stuff. So, he’s he’s doing a great job. What’s on the list? Uh, there’s a bunch of stuff. I mean, I’m not I’m not a picky guy, so I I kind of eat whatever, but I know some of the receivers, they got like JMO has some requests, um, some other guys. So, he’s uh he’s doing a great job. He’s doing a great job. What was your reaction to the J Mo extension? I was super excited. Um, I was, you know, in the room, me, me, Craig, and Jir, this is in Green Bay. We’re just chilling in the room. And Jir goes, “Uh, they just extended gym.” I said, “Huh?” He said, “Yeah, they just paid him.” I said, “No way.” This was like a tenant night, too, I think. So, um, I called him right away, facetimed him. He came in the room and we all hung out. It was me, J Mo, Craig, and and Jir just hanging out in the room. Um, just, you know, congratulating him how excited we were for him. And I mean, I’m just I’m just happy to be playing with him for the next however many years it is. Um because, you know, I feel like J Mo is people, you know, you see they see what they see on the media, but they don’t see J Mo. I see him every day. I know what kind of guy he is. Um and he’s going to do whatever it takes to win. And that’s as a teammate, you you know, you don’t want anything else. So, uh I love JO, man. I love going out there to work with him every day. and I’m just excited that he’s going to be here for much longer. What do people get wrong about him? I mean, I wouldn’t say they get anything wrong. It’s just hard to tell, you know, what kind of guy Jo is from from your phone, from your screen. Um, you know, when you talk to him, you get to know him, his his background, his family, everything. Um, it’s much deeper than what it looks like. So, I just love, you know, like I said, to be out there with him, how much he loves football. Um, I mean, he shows it each and every day out out on out on the field. And like I said, to play with him is it’s it’s amazing. Kind of like Saint kind of had to put the rookies in their place a little bit early on. Make sure that you guys were keeping a stock. What happened there? Well, I mean, it’s like rookie duty for us to get snacks. So, Saint loves a sweet tea. So, when he doesn’t have his sweet tea, he gets a little cranky. So, I got to make sure I’m on top of that. What’s the most surprising snack that somebody requested? Don’t have to say a name, but was there something? Um, they just love sweets. And you know, I thought when the when you get the NFL, everyone’s so focused on their diet and then next thing you know, I got like Gushers. I got to get these Jolly Ranchers. I just got like a whole list of candy and chips I got to go get. Are you a sweets guy? No, I’m not. I mean, I love sweets, but I just I stay away from it. What’s your go-to snack? I have to eat a snack. Um snack guy. Beef jerky and or yogurt. Can’t miss. Yeah. Like I know we we kind of asked you about this, but right when you first came here, obviously you’ve been watching St. around for a couple years, but how has his mentorship kind of brought you along and and has it meant a lot to you that he has actually taken an active role in your growth? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you see that video um after the catch, he’s running over um you know, calling in a catch, making sure, you know, the ref takes a look at it. They’re call, you know, they’re check it out, see if it’s a touchdown or not, make sure he gets the ball and everything. I think that’s just a testament to who he has been for me. Um obviously, you know, he’s a lead by example guy, so just the way he works is something I want to emulate in my game. How’s that ball going to go? I don’t know yet. I think I’m going to give the jersey to my parents. Um I don’t know what I’m going to do with the ball yet expand this week. Like last week only practiced once cuz you were sick, but it happened to be red zone day and then of course you make the great red zone catch on on Sunday. But um how how eager are you to to have an expandable event? Yeah, I mean for me it’s just opportunity. So only way you’re going to make plays if you have the opportunity to go out on the field. So, just continue building every single week, getting more plays in in the um you know, in our game plan and then just when the ball’s in the air, making plays. That’s what it comes out. Yeah. What are you expecting the the reaction to be whenever you get that? Because it’s going to be another first for you whenever you step out. Yeah, I I’ll be emotional for sure. um just so many things had to like be right for me to even be play on this team. But the fact that I’m on this, you know, the roster and going to be running down that tunnel onto onto this team, um yeah, I’m I’m going to be emotional for sure. Are you like a shed a tear guy or Oh, yeah. I Oh, yeah. I’m a crier for sure. When’s it going to hit you? Is it going to be running out of the tunnel, national anthem? Probably both. Yeah. Whole lot of everything. I’ve been seeing some of your jerseys pop up too just by What was that? Sorry. I’ve been seeing a few of your jerseys popping up like people wearing them. Still surprising like see people in the jersey early on. Like what’s so reaction? Yeah, a little bit surprising. I’m sure most of them are from West Michigan. Probably people I know that are wearing them. So, uh it’s definitely cool to see that sport,

Hear from Detroit Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Isaac TeSlaa as they speak with the media on September 11, 2025.

0:00 – 4:54: Jameson Williams
4:55 – 11:51: Amon-Ra St. Brown
11:52 – 14:45: Isaac TeSlaa

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