David Montgomery may no longer wear Honolulu Blue, but it’s clear the former Detroit Lions running back still carries a deep appreciation for the city, the organization, and the teammates he left behind.
Appearing on the “The Deebo and Joe” podcast, Montgomery opened up about his departure from Detroit, admitting that while he never wanted to leave, he eventually realized it was only a matter of time.
Montgomery joined the Lions as a free agent in 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his physical running style and leadership. Alongside Jahmyr Gibbs, he formed one of the NFL’s most productive backfield tandems.
Still, Montgomery said he understood the business realities of the league as his career progressed.
“When I was in Detroit, I thought I was going to be there for the rest of my career,” Montgomery said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “I love the City of Detroit. They showed me an immense amount of love. Coach Campbell, a dope coach, you know. But when you start to get a little older playing the game, at a professional level, and you start to kind of see how things unfold, you gotta get met with like a tough decision. And you know, I was met with that.”