As Mother’s Day approaches, new Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold shared his love for his mom but humorously expressed that he wouldn’t want to face her on the football field. Arnold jokingly stated that he would have no choice but to “jam her into the dirt” if she were playing against him. He attributed his competitive nature to his upbringing, recalling childhood memories of continually striving to surpass his mom, even in activities like racing. Arnold also reminisced about playful wrestling matches with his mom, sharing a humorous anecdote about how she once accidentally kicked out one of his teeth during their roughhousing.
Terrion Arnold, the newest addition to the Detroit Lions’ cornerback roster, set the tone for the team’s 2024 rookie class with his competitive mindset. Arnold humorously remarked, “If my mom was out here right now and lined up across from me as a receiver, I would jam her into the dirt.” He emphasized that this mindset is ingrained in him and reflects the way he was raised.
The Lions drafted Arnold from Alabama after trading up to the 24th pick in the NFL draft, and they also selected Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with their second-round pick. While veteran Carlton Davis III is likely secured in the top cornerback spot, the competition among the rookies and other players like Amik Robertson and Emmanuel Moseley is expected to intensify.
Ennis Rakestraw expressed his enthusiasm for competition within the team, stating, “You want to go to a job where everybody’s competing, because that’s how you know everybody’s trying to strive for the same goal and win the Super Bowl.” Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew echoed this sentiment, highlighting the excitement surrounding the competition between the two rookie cornerbacks. Agnew emphasized the importance of competitiveness within the team, stating, “We want competitiveness. We don’t want guys that bow down to people. We want guys to compete and think they’re gonna win the spot.” He acknowledged that both Rakestraw and Arnold believe they are capable of starting but emphasized that they will need to work hard to earn their positions on the team.
On day one, Ennis Rakestraw and Terrion Arnold displayed camaraderie and mutual respect for each other. Arnold playfully crashed Rakestraw’s press conference after practice, highlighting their budding friendship. Rakestraw mentioned that they arrived in Detroit together and have been spending most of their time together since then. “I spent the majority of the day with him. He’s a funny guy,” Rakestraw remarked. As a gesture of friendship, Rakestraw planned to ask Arnold a question during his media scrum.
When Arnold was questioned about his confidence in starting, he immediately pulled Rakestraw into the center of the scrum, emphasizing their bond. “Well, first things first, I got to bring my brother in,” Arnold said. Acknowledging that they were both drafted by the Lions, Arnold expressed gratitude for the organization and emphasized their shared journey. “They drafted both of us, so I would say us just coming in here and being the young guys, and we’re going to be here for a long time. We’re going to grow together, excel together, take our losses together, take ‘em on the chin, and I just thank the organization for drafting both of us. This is my brother.” Their mutual support and camaraderie bode well for their future as teammates.
Rakestraw described his competition with Arnold as “fun” and expressed his excitement for the experience. “I can already see Day 1, (it’s) going to be a fun experience,” he stated. Both players share a common goal of success and greatness with a strong desire to be part of the Lions family. Rakestraw emphasized their mutual commitment to helping each other improve every day. “Whoever wins the job, wins the job, but at the end of the day, we’re going to build a brotherhood regardless,” he added.
When asked about the qualities he inherits from his mom, Rakestraw emphasized fearlessness in the face of failure. He highlighted Mother’s Day as an important occasion, reflecting on his mom’s perseverance despite facing financial challenges. “My mom had me young, so there’s a lot of things that financially we couldn’t do, or that aspect of it, but she just kept pushing, no matter what,” Rakestraw shared. He draws inspiration from his mom’s resilience, applying it to his approach to the game. “You make mistakes in the game; I’m gonna keep pushing no matter what. I’m going to get better every single play,” Rakestraw affirmed.
Arnold offered a glimpse into his vision for the Lions’ secondary in 2024. Reflecting on the ups and downs of the previous year, Arnold expressed optimism for the upcoming season. “This year, we’re going to be exciting, we’re going to be dynamic, we’re going to play fast,” he declared confidently. He emphasized the uniqueness and prowess of their secondary, boldly stating, “Ain’t going to be nobody like us.” Arnold’s words reflect his belief in the potential of the Lions’ defensive backfield to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.