CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Detroit Lions have said countless times that they haven’t forgotten David Montgomery.
Montgomery often gets overlooked on such a star-studded offense. Whether it’s for his backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs, quarterback Jared Goff, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, or tight end Sam LaPorta and the vaunted offensive line.
It always seems to be, “Oh, and David Montgomery.”
Montgomery ran for 65 yards and one touchdown, adding a 3-yard touchdown pass in Detroit’s 37-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The former Mt. Healthy High School quarterback got to throw another pass back home in Cincinnati, and his family was there for yet another touchdown.
This game carried a little more meaning for Montgomery, though. His sister, Kiki, was watching him play in person for the first time since she was paralyzed in a 2024 car crash. Montgomery isn’t an open book in the locker room or in media sessions.
But it was clear this one meant something more to him, with videos showing him smiling as wide as anyone has ever seen when he saw his sister, Kiki, before the game.
Montgomery was back home. While being back home is nice, for him, it brings back memories of some of his most challenging times. From bouncing home to home, going without dinner or heat some nights, boiling water just so he could take a bath, it was a swarm of every emotion.
The Bengals made sure his sister and family were comfortable and in a prime location. Heck, Montgomery left such a legacy in his hometown that when he scored his second of two touchdowns, a Bengals fan in a Logan Wilson jersey was shown congratulating Montgomery’s sister like he was playing for the fan’s favorite team, and not the one running all over his actual one to a 28-3 lead.
“Super meaningful,” Montgomery said in the locker room, riding the wave of such an emotional day. “My sister hadn’t seen me play in person since her accident. But to be able to get her here -- I really appreciate the Cincinnati Bengals helping, and they made sure that she got on the field. That was really special, and I appreciate them for that. It was a very special moment for me.
“Yeah, it was super cool to come back home. Like I said, I had never played here since high school, so being able to get that pass -- super cool. I’m just happy we were able to get the win.”
Montgomery was a three-star recruit before landing at Iowa State. Despite an impressive tenure to open his NFL career, the Chicago Bears let him walk after his rookie contract ended. The Lions were thrilled to sign him despite having the NFL’s touchdown leader in Jamaal Williams. They knew Montgomery made them better and was more of an all-around back than he gets credit for. He’s proven them right with 29 rushing touchdowns and 2,000-plus yards across 33 games in Detroit.
But don’t get it twisted. The Lions, whether player, coach or front office member, have not forgotten about Montgomery. Whenever they are asked about the running back, they talk about him like he is one of the heartbeat players on this roster, not to mention one of the best running backs in the NFL.
If a question dismisses Montgomery or frames him as an afterthought, the Lions dismiss that thinking from the get-go with clear intentions. Whether it’s Campbell, general manager Brad Holmes or any player, the message is clear:
Montgomery means so much more to this operation on the field and off the field than he gets credit for.
Gibbs has all the ability in the world. The 23-year-old is an electric playmaker who led the league in touchdowns last season. He’s a true superstar in the making. Still, this is a true 1A, 1B depth chart.
When Dan Campbell was asked about Montgomery heading into the year, the question included the back’s status as the forgotten man. The Lions coach immediately jumped in with a stern response:
“I haven’t forgotten about David, so I can tell you that right now ... And that guy? He’s special.”
It’s not lip service. It’s not coachspeak. It’s not about Montgomery’s ego or keeping him happy. It’s real because Montgomery represents everything Campbell wants this franchise to be about.
When Montgomery’s teammates get asked about him, they talk about him like a franchise pillar.
Montgomery is resilient. He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s the ultimate underdog. He treats every day on the field like it’s the most important. Montgomery still often gets told what he can’t do by outsiders, instead of highlighting everything he can do.
“I saw D-Mo from across the field for years in Chicago, and I was shocked when they let him walk,” Goff said last week. “And then shoot, when we landed him, it was like, ‘Holy smokes, we just got one of the best backs in the league.’”
And in Montgomery’s emotional first game back in his native Cincinnati in a decade, the Lions showed how much the running back means to them. Montgomery again reminded everyone why this team swears by him and will passionately defend him.
Campbell said they wanted to get Montgomery going in this game and to give him the ball even more than they did. And even the coach, still fired up about the fourth straight win, stopped and reflected on the moment for his running back.
“I know that’s special for him.”
When MLive pressed Campbell about what Montgomery means to this team after the game, he got so excited that he dropped an F-bomb.
“Everybody respects David Montgomery, and I think everybody roots for that guy, because that guy will do anything for his teammates,” Campbell said. “He lays it on the line on Sundays. He lays it on the line in practice. You know what you’re going to get out of Montgomery. It’s no different, saying you know, what you’re going to get every Sunday out of St. Brown. David is that heartbeat guy like Leaf (Kalif Raymond). He’s going to do whatever it takes. He’ll stick his face up there in protection. He’ll run the dirty runs. He’ll run downfield to make a block for a teammate in the pass game.
“He’s all (expletive) team. Excuse my language. I love the guy. We’re fortunate to have him. And he’s a stud.”
As Montgomery told Tom Rinaldi of Fox Sports, “Pain is temporary. Don’t allow pain to be a wound that is consistently open.” That’s the type of quote that screams why Campbell and Holmes wanted this player, and will defend him to the end of the world.
Montgomery might not be as flashy or highlight-reel worthy as Gibbs. He might not have the All-Pros of St. Brown or tackle Penei Sewell. He doesn’t get as much attention as a handful of players on this team.
But that’s from the outside. The Lions talk about Montgomery like a franchise-changing running back. They bring those words to life when they put the game in his hands to help put it away, or as the wildcat quarterback early in a one-score game like on Sunday.
He’s one of the unsung heroes of this rebuild. Whether it’s running for 151 yards and two touchdowns on Monday Night Football or handling the dirty short-yardage work, Montgomery always seems to find a way to prove them right.
“To be able to come back home where it all started for me, being able to kind of show my arm where it all started for me, I think it was a super special moment,” Montgomery said.
“I’m happy that I’m with these guys. We’ve got some selfless guys on this team. It’s just special to be here with guys who love the game, and I’m thankful for it.”
Don’t forget or overlook Montgomery, because these Lions sure haven’t.
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