By Blessing 
D.J. Reed Confirms His Jersey Number with the Detroit Lions
Cornerback D.J. Reed is making his presence felt early in Detroit. The newly signed defender has officially announced what number he’ll be rocking in his debut season with the Detroit Lions—and he’s sticking with what’s familiar. On social media, Reed confirmed he’ll continue wearing No. 4, the same number he sported during his time with the New York Jets.
The 28-year-old brings not just veteran experience to the Lions’ secondary, but also a clear appreciation for the talent already in place. He’s especially excited about joining a defense that’s quickly gaining recognition around the league. In fact, Reed had his eyes on one of Detroit’s top young playmakers even before they became teammates.
“I’m a big fan of Brian Branch. Even when he was coming out of Alabama,” Reed said. “I actually told Coach Robert Saleh, I was like, ‘With the 17th pick, you’ve gotta get Brian Branch.’ This guy is a dawg.”
Reed’s admiration for Branch highlights just how much respect he has for Detroit’s secondary. Alongside Branch, Kerby Joseph has emerged as another standout, and together they’re forming what many consider to be one of the top safety duos in the league.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with the safety duo,” Reed added. “That’s something I was very excited about—I’m going to be playing with two All-Pro safeties, which is going to take my game to the next level. And I think it’s going to turn up the whole defense.”
Reed was one of the more sought-after free agents on the market, not just for his ability on the field but for his mindset and work ethic. He’s made it clear that no matter the circumstance, his approach to the game remains the same.
“When I’m done playing, I want to be able to say I gave everything to the game,” he told reporters during his first media session in Detroit. “That’s something I looked myself in the face and said—that’s how I want to operate. So, it doesn’t matter if I get paid, doesn’t matter if I’m not paid, I’m going to play the same regardless. That’s just how I operate.”
Sure! Here’s a rewritten, humanized version of the article in approximately 406 words, keeping the tone engaging and the quotes intact while avoiding plagiarism:
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D.J. Reed Confirms His Jersey Number with the Detroit Lions
Cornerback D.J. Reed is making his presence felt early in Detroit. The newly signed defender has officially announced what number he’ll be rocking in his debut season with the Detroit Lions—and he’s sticking with what’s familiar. On social media, Reed confirmed he’ll continue wearing No. 4, the same number he sported during his time with the New York Jets.
The 28-year-old brings not just veteran experience to the Lions’ secondary, but also a clear appreciation for the talent already in place. He’s especially excited about joining a defense that’s quickly gaining recognition around the league. In fact, Reed had his eyes on one of Detroit’s top young playmakers even before they became teammates.
“I’m a big fan of Brian Branch. Even when he was coming out of Alabama,” Reed said. “I actually told Coach Robert Saleh, I was like, ‘With the 17th pick, you’ve gotta get Brian Branch.’ This guy is a dawg.”
Reed’s admiration for Branch highlights just how much respect he has for Detroit’s secondary. Alongside Branch, Kerby Joseph has emerged as another standout, and together they’re forming what many consider to be one of the top safety duos in the league.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with the safety duo,” Reed added. “That’s something I was very excited about—I’m going to be playing with two All-Pro safeties, which is going to take my game to the next level. And I think it’s going to turn up the whole defense.”
Reed was one of the more sought-after free agents on the market, not just for his ability on the field but for his mindset and work ethic. He’s made it clear that no matter the circumstance, his approach to the game remains the same.
“When I’m done playing, I want to be able to say I gave everything to the game,” he told reporters during his first media session in Detroit. “That’s something I looked myself in the face and said—that’s how I want to operate. So, it doesn’t matter if I get paid, doesn’t matter if I’m not paid, I’m going to play the same regardless. That’s just how I operate.”