Lions rookie underscores competitive fire while talking about mom: ‘I would jam her into the dirt’

Detroit Lions draft pick Terion Arnold spoke about his mother Saturday during the second day of rookie minicamp, emphasizing how his mother ignited a competitive fire within him.

He said that when Tamara Arnold and he were younger they would constantly play against each other and the rivalry would get intense at times.

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“When I was beating my mom in races as a kid, I had to keep beating her,” he said. Via AL.com. “When I was younger, we used to fight a lot. I was just wrestling and playing with her. Well, I was trying so hard that her mother kicked my tooth out. I’ll never forget that time.”

“If my mom was here right now, lining up across from me as a receiver, I’d push her into the dirt. That’s the way I think. And my mom knows that. I want to say ‘It’s just the simple side of football’, that’s my mindset and the way I was raised. ”

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold performs during NFL rookie football practice on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Allen Park, Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Arnold later explained that he intended to convey that he was not a “player you shouldn’t play with” even as he began his rookie season.

He paid tribute to Tamara at the NFL Scouting Combine before the Lions selected her with the No. 24 pick in the NFL Draft in April.

He praised her for all the adversity she overcame to raise him.

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold speaks to the media after NFL rookie football practice on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Allen Park, Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Arnold was named first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2023, his final year at Alabama. He had five interceptions and 63 total tackles.

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