ALLEN PARK — On Grant Stuard’s first day as a Detroit Lion in March, he emphasized that culture was why he wanted to sign with the organization.
“Culture, immediately. From watching Detroit, playing against them, my family rooting for them forever since (coach Dan) Campbell’s been here. I feel like I knew a lot about them,” Stuard said at his introductory press conference. “I feel like they’re widely covered. I’m a guy that I love to work hard, I love to improve, I love to be coached. I’m really big on just trying to be the best version of myself every single day, and I feel like this is an environment that’s super conducive to that.”
He hasn’t played a down of regular-season football for the Lions yet, but according to Stuard’s teammates, he already embodies the same culture that brought him to Detroit.
That’s why Stuard was elected as one of six team captains for the upcoming season by the Lions’ players.
Stuard is the only new captain for the team, joining the returning group of quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, linebacker Alex Anzalone and edge defender Aidan Hutchinson.
“Proud of those guys that are our captains...It’s a big honor when your teammates give their vote of approval and look at you that way,” Campbell said Tuesday. “Stuard, our new guy coming in establishing himself. Like all of them, man, when your best players are your hardest workers, and they grind it every day, it’s hard not to have success. Proud of those guys, man. They earned it.”
Stuard, 2017’s “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick in the NFL Draft, joined the Lions as a free agent this offseason following four seasons between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.
Alongside playing linebacker, Stuard carved out a regular role on special teams at his previous stops. But this time around, the former college fullback is stepping up as an unexpected kick returner, who brings a battering-ram physicality to the return game.
Despite fumbling his first return during preseason, he showed better ball security in later games and was the most dynamic returner the Lions tried out ahead of the season and may get more opportunities in the regular season.
“He’s obviously one of our best special teams players. I think that puts him in that role, automatically,” Anzalone said. “His personality, his leadership style, his presence, I think is the biggest thing that I got.”
Stuard’s energy and passion for playing high-level football is evident watching him at training camp and leading both the special teams unit and defense during preseason games.
The Conroe, Texas native is frequently the first to the ball on any given play, using his speed and intensity to make his mark on the game.
Stuard made some noise during training camp, calling out the Miami Dolphins ahead of a set of joint practices about their readiness for the Lions’ practice standards.
Detroit backed up those words with an impressive showing at both practices, where the Lions looked far and away the stronger of the two. Stuard got to show off some of his own physicality and, unsurprisingly, got chippy with the Dolphins a few times.
His teammates were always quick to be behind him, also helping to quell the intensity before anything extreme happened.
Stuard brings the same vigor for his team when doors are closed and there’s hard, unseen work to be done.
“He’s confident, he’s vocal, he’s a hell of an athlete,” rookie wide receiver and special teams contributor Dominic Lovett told MLive. “I just feel like that was a well-deserved position for him along with all the other captains. I feel like those are the leaders of our team who I’m ready to go to war for.”
With Detroit beginning their season on a road trip to NFC North rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Stuard will have a chance to showcase his fierce style of play for the first time in Lions colors.
Just as crucially, Stuard will continue to play a key role in maintaining the culture that he admired upon his arrival.
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