Ndamukong Suh on Being "Pushed Out" of Lions & Dolphins

Drafted by the Lions

• 🏈 Ndamukong Suh was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions, despite having an "eerie feeling" that St. Louis might pick him first.
• 🤯 He was initially "pissed off" to be drafted by Detroit because he was expecting Tampa Bay to trade up for him.
• 🤝 Suh aimed to be a blue-collar grinder and change the culture in Detroit, joining a team with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

Time with the Detroit Lions

• 📉 The Lions had a tough first year with a 6-10 record, though Suh had a good individual season.
• ✅ The team improved to 11-5 the following year, making the playoffs but losing in the first round.
• ⚠️ Suh felt the front office needed to remove players who were "just here collecting checks."

Departure from Detroit

• 💔 Suh states he was "kicked out" of Detroit and wanted to stay, but the team had opportunities to keep him and did not match an offer.
• 💰 He received a significant offer from Miami with substantial guarantees, which Detroit did not come close to matching, even after considering taxes.
• 🤔 Suh felt disrespected by the Lions' decision not to retain him, especially after a strong individual season.

Experience with the Miami Dolphins

• 🚀 In 2015, Suh signed the biggest deal for a defensive player in NFL history with the Dolphins.
• 🗣️ He was released after the 2017 season due to a conflict with the head coach, who gave the owner an ultimatum: him or Suh.
• 🚫 The head coach, who had "a vendetta" against Suh, apparently had significant roster control and tried to undermine other players as well.