By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 20:43 EST, 24 December 2025 | Updated: 20:43 EST, 24 December 2025

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was left less than impressed about having to suit up on Christmas Day. 

The Lions’ long-standing Thanksgiving tradition has become a beloved holiday staple with the first team to play on the holiday every single year since 1934 with the Dallas Cowboys later joining them in 1966. 

However, this season, Detroit is also expected to take to the field on Christmas Day when they make the trip down to Minnesota to face the Vikings at US Bank Stadium. 

But St. Brown made it clear that he would be rather kicking back, unwrapping gifts and tucking into a feast than catching passes from Jared Goff. 

‘The two biggest holidays I feel like in the United States,’ the wide out said on his St. Brown podcast with his brother, ‘we played on both of them. 

‘And I don’t even have kids yet. If I had kids, I’d be even more p****d. Like, you can’t be spending it with your family. Get to see your kids open gifts – I feel like that’s something that a lot of parents love to see and can’t wait for. 

“If I had kids, I’d be even more pissed. You can’t spend (the Holidays) with your family, you don’t get to see your kids open gifts.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown gives his thoughts on having to play on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. pic.twitter.com/E5Dq7Xc4WZ

— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) December 24, 2025 Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown was furious over having to play on Christmas Day

Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown was furious over having to play on Christmas Day 

St Brown and the Lions face the Vikings in Minnesota at 4:30pm ET on December 24

St Brown and the Lions face the Vikings in Minnesota at 4:30pm ET on December 24 

‘So, I don’t even like it and I’m not even a f***ing father yet.’

To add to his misery, the Lions are on the road on the festive holiday with St. Brown adding: ‘Us traveling, it’s like, damn.’ 

The four-time Pro Bowler has never played on Christmas throughout his five-season career in the NFL so far. 

He has, however, played on December 26 during his rookie year in 2021 and on Christmas Eve in 2022 and 2023. 

However, St. Brown did manage to see the bright side of the festive fixture, relishing the chance to take center stage in a prime time matchup. 

‘Hey, another primetime game, can’t really complain,’ he said. ‘And I love playing at Minnesota. So, it should be a good one.’ 

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Furious Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown rages over playing NFL game on Christmas Day