ALLEN PARK --The 2025 season is an important one for Amik Robertson as he aims to get his career back on track.
Signed by the Detroit Lions in free agency last year, the veteran cornerback quickly became a staple of the defense, earning high praise for his coverage of Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson in the winner-take-all finale for the NFC North crown.
But his first year in Detroit ended on a somber note when he suffered a broken arm early in the Lions’ divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders.
Now preparing for another season, Robertson sat down with MLive to discuss life as a smaller defensive back, his “welcome to the NFL” moment, and more in this week’s segment.
**Q:** **You’ve been in Detroit for over a full calendar year now. What are some of your favorite things to do in the city? Any favorite spots you like to hit?**
**A:** My favorite thing to do? I don’t really do too much, man. But if I do, I’ll eat at Sexy Steak. The food, the vibes, and the workers -- they always treat us well over there, man. I got mad love for them.
**Q:** **Coming into the NFL, even with all your college success, people still scrutinized your size. What do you think is the biggest misconception about smaller DBs?**
**A:** I can’t really compare myself to too many smaller DBs. I’m a little different. I play bigger than my size. But most DBs, I’d say, or what I try to emphasize, I go out there and play big. Some small guys don’t want to tackle. They’re afraid of the moment sometimes. I’m the complete opposite.
**Q:** **Who was the first receiver to give you your “Welcome to the NFL” moment?**
**A:** My rookie year... I forgot his name -- Gabe Davis, he was on the Bills, right? First play I ever got in -- touchdown. He blocked me, of course. I was still wet behind the ears, man, just doing what I was taught. My guy blocked, I added on the run, but he blocked and did a shallow wheel -- touchdown, wide open. I mean, a lot of guys were open, but I was just the one who got caught.
**Q:** **What were you feeling in that moment?**
**A:** Oh my god, I was so mad. I remember -- it’s crazy -- I saw a video my mom used to send. She was excited about me being on TV, but I was on TV for the wrong reason. They always show the guy who got scored on. I remember getting a notification after the game, when I got home, from my mom. She’s like, “Oh, good to see my son on TV.” And they showed the video after he scored, had me running to the sideline. They’re like, “Yeah!” I’m like, man, y’all celebrating for the wrong reasons, you feel me?
**Q:** **You’re a pretty stylish dude. Who would you say is the best and worst-dressed on the team?**
**A:** I ain’t gonna lie, I don’t really pay attention to too many guys’ fits. But as I’m getting older, I’m liking Kalif (Raymond), man. He comes in with a suit on, all about business. I might switch my swag over to that. He comes in on some presidential vibe, you know what I’m saying? As for the worst, I don’t pay attention, but some guys come in with nothing. As a matter of fact, I’m gonna say Craig Reynolds. (laughs) He ain’t gonna like that.
**Q:** **You wore No. 8 in high school, and then No. 21 from college on. What’s the significance of 21 for you?**
**A:** Really, that was just something they gave to me. I wanted No. 1. I told my coach that if I signed here, I wanted to be No. 1 because I felt like I was going to be the best guy on defense. But after my freshman year, maturity kicked in, man. They’d already given me 21.
Growing up, I was a fan of Patrick Peterson when I was in middle school. As I got older, I liked Tyrann Mathieu, but when I was in middle school, I liked Pat. So when they gave me 21, then offered me No. 1 again after my freshman season, I was like, “Nah, I’m good. I’ll keep 21.”
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