By Sunday 
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson is quickly becoming a fan favorite — not just because of his energy or fearless attitude on the field, but because of the realness behind his story. In a recent appearance on the St. Brown Bros. podcast, Robertson peeled back the curtain on his early NFL years, giving fans an unfiltered look at the challenges that shaped him.
Finding Trouble in Vegas
Before Detroit, before the hype, there was Las Vegas — and for a young Amik Robertson, that chapter wasn’t easy.
“I don’t really gamble,” he admitted. “Before, I was partying, I’m going to be honest. I was doing that my first two years. I was doing that a lot… Vegas was tough.”
The move from college standout to struggling pro hit harder than expected. Drafted by the Raiders, Robertson thought he’d continue dominating as an outside corner. Instead, the team switched him to nickel — a position he had never played before.
“I get drafted. Everybody loves me. Then they move me to nickel. Never played that in my life,” Robertson said. “That s**t was like Chinese. They just threw me in the water to play nickel. I didn’t even understand nickel. I didn’t perform the way I wanted… now everybody like, they are turning their back on me.”
Lost and Learning Through a Screen
To make matters worse, his rookie season came during the COVID-19 shutdowns. No offseason workouts. No real practice. No in-person mentorship.
“We didn’t have OTAs,” he recalled. “We had to learn from the iPad. It’s different when you’re looking rather than really doing it.”
When the season finally started, he was thrown into live action with minimal preparation. “When I got out there, them bullets was flying,” he said. “I just couldn’t handle it, and two years straight, I was in an island, I was in a bad place.”
Chasing Validation in the Clubs
The mental weight started to show. Feeling overlooked and misunderstood, Robertson turned to the Vegas nightlife for escape.
“When you don’t feel accepted,” he said, “and you get to the league and people start turning their backs on you… it’s like going to the clubs, around all these people, I feel love. So that’s why I was just going out every night.”
It wasn’t about fame or partying for fun — it was about trying to fill a void. The same intensity he once poured into football was now being spent trying to outrun disappointment.
Redemption and Roots in Detroit
But somewhere along the way, Robertson hit pause. He looked around and realized, this isn’t who I am.
“Eventually, I ended up finding myself again and realized, ‘No, that’s not me.’ I had to get back to my roots,” he said.
Now in Detroit, surrounded by a coaching staff that emphasizes authenticity, accountability, and hard work, Robertson seems rejuvenated. The swagger is still there — but this time, it’s grounded in clarity and purpose.
His comeback isn’t just about football; it’s about growth, maturity, and self-awareness. It’s a reminder that even the toughest players face unseen battles — and that sometimes, the hardest opponent to beat is yourself.