By Blessing 
Grant Stuard’s Journey of Grit, Faith, and Football Finds a Home in Detroit
New Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard brings more to the team than just hard hits and hustle—he brings a powerful story of resilience, faith, and unwavering determination.
Stuard’s path to the NFL hasn’t been smooth, and certainly not one built on comfort or privilege. As detailed by Zac Keefer of The Athletic, Stuard grew up in a world few could imagine. His childhood was marked by instability—his father spent time in and out of jail, while his mother battled drug addiction. Chaos surrounded him, but instead of being consumed by it, Stuard turned to the one place that made sense: football.
“I had a lot of things that were outside of my control happen to my family, in my family,” Stuard said during his first press conference with the Lions. “And [I] realized very early on that football and aspects of the game are very controllable… the work that you put in, the way you respond to things that happen—that stuff you can control. For me, I found comfort in the game.”
That sense of control—something he rarely experienced outside the field—became a driving force in his life. Football wasn’t just a sport; it was an escape, a safe haven, and a proving ground.
But it wasn’t just discipline and effort that helped Stuard persevere. In 2019, a turning point came when he turned to faith and found deeper purpose through his relationship with God. It was then that he started seeing football through a new lens—not just as a career, but as a calling.
“In Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9, I think it’s verse 10 or verse 11, it says to do everything your hand touches, do with your full might because, you know, you have no more time in the grave. There’s no toil, there’s no work, you can’t do nothing after this,” Stuard said. “That really spoke to me, reading that as a young man. I gave my life to Christ in 2019. I think that I play with that. I think that’s shown by the way I prepare, even by the way I practice. Hopefully, I can earn that reputation here and just be an asset, for sure. Yeah, that’s how I describe my play.”
His faith became the foundation of both his life and playing style—a blend of passion, purpose, and perseverance.
Stuard’s football journey continued at the University of Houston, where he not only chased his dreams but remained close to his family, helping care for them when needed. His relentless effort eventually caught the NFL’s attention. In 2021, he became “Mr. Irrelevant”—the final pick of the NFL Draft. But that title didn’t define him. If anything, it fueled him.
He spent his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it was in Indianapolis that he began making his mark. Over three seasons with the Colts, Stuard carved out a niche as a dynamic special teams contributor and a reliable presence on defense. In 2024, he earned his first career start—and made it count. He racked up 19 tackles, a tackle for loss, and earned praise from his coaching staff for his impact.
Now, in Detroit, some might question the fit. After all, the Lions already return a solid trio of starting linebackers and a deep pool of special teams talent—including names like Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, and Trevor Nowaske. For many free agents, that kind of depth chart would be a deterrent. But not for Stuard. He embraced it.
“It’s not like other situations I may have had where maybe it was an easier path to the field or an easier path to maybe being the No. 1 guy on a unit or something like that,” Stuard said. “But [my agent was like], ‘They’ve got some players over there.’ I’m like, ‘Well, that’s good! I want to be around guys who are attacking the day the way I attack the day.’”
That mentality—choosing competition over comfort—is a perfect match for the culture Detroit has built. Stuard’s story, his fight, and his faith align with the gritty, relentless identity the Lions have embraced under Dan Campbell.
Grant Stuard is more than a new name on the roster. He’s a fighter, a believer, and a teammate who lives every day—and every down—with purpose.