Detroit Lions: DeAndre Levy’s Talent and Introspection Will Be Missed

The Detroit Lions’ release of DeAndre Levy after eight seasons is a painful reminder of the harsh realities of the NFL.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of NFL fandom is watching young athletes grow as both players and people with their respective franchises. This is particularly relevant in the NFL, where media coverage seldom ceases, and the general public is constantly aware of what is going on around the sport. In this era of social media, the barrier between players and their supporters is virtually non-existent, and there is an unprecedented level of connectivity between the parties.

In that sense, fans become truly invested in these athletes, and begin to look at them as members of their own extended families. It is for this reason that it hurts to watch as one of these players leaves town. Unfortunately, as has been stated time and time again, football is a business, and unpopular business decisions have to be made from time to time.

The Detroit Lions recently made one of these decisions with the release of linebacker DeAndre Levy.

When the Lions selected Levy with the 76th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the organization was in a period of tumult. Coming off the first and only 0-16 season in league history, the franchise was desperate for a turnaround. Martin Mayhew had replaced Matt Millen as the team’s general manager, and Jim Schwartz had been hired as a first-time head coach. With a surplus of draft capital, the new regime absolutely needed to hit a home run on draft day, and to a certain extent, they did.

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Everyone knows that the Lions drafted franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick that year. The team also enjoyed some productive seasons from 20th overall pick Brandon Pettigrew and 33rd overall selection Louis Delmas. However it was Levy, a third-rounder, who would prove to be the value pick of the draft.

Quickly establishing himself as a solid contributor, Levy recorded 85 combined tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception as a rookie, rewarding the Lions for their confidence in him. From there, he would continue to develop as a player, spending some time as a middle linebacker before ultimately settling in on the weak side. During the Lions’ gradual return to respectability, Levy recorded three 100-plus tackle seasons and displayed a true penchant for interceptions.

In fact, the absolute apex of Levy’s career occurred during the 2013 and 2014 NFL seasons, the healthiest (he started every game) and most productive of his Lions tenure. In 2013, he recorded 119 combined tackles and a stunning six interceptions. For an encore in 2014, Levy thrived under first-year defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, accumulating 151 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, while playing a key role in the Lions finishing 11-5 and making the post-season.

Although Levy wasn’t rewarded with a Pro Bowl berth for his efforts, he was undoubtedly a Pro Bowl caliber player during this time period, and the Lions were fully aware of it. After producing those two sensational seasons, Levy was rewarded with a four-year, $33.72 million contract just before the start of the 2015 season.

Things were certainly looking up for the then 28-year-old Levy, but unfortunately, that excitement was all too brief. As is often the case in the NFL, injuries started to mount, decimating the next two years of his career in the process. In 2015, a hip injury held him out of all but one game, during which he saw the field for only 17 snaps. In 2016, the situation wasn’t much better as quad and knee injuries limited him to only five appearances. While he played reasonably well down the stretch, it appeared to be too little to late, and the Lions made the decision to move on after eight seasons. In a typically classy move, Levy expressed his gratitude to the franchise in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Levy’s legacy as an NFL player is as much about who he is off the field as it is about his productivity on it. Levy is an introspective, thoughtful individual, who has spoken out in the past about a number of issues, including the NFL’s rampant problem with concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). In a 2016 e-mail Levy sent to the Detroit Free Press, he stated the following, per Dave Birkett:

"I became numb to the fact that CTE could be present in me. Like maybe my head buzzing a day after a game isn’t normal. Maybe the emotional highs and lows of a football game/season and beyond aren’t normal. Maybe when I forget something, there’s more to it than just forgetfulness. Disconnected thoughts, at times, might be a part of it. I know of and have heard many players talk about these same issues and if they relate to CTE."

Levy would later continue:

"Compensation isn’t an excuse to hide or downplay the facts. We need to know the risks and the rewards. This is an area in which the league has failed its players. Not only never talking about the risks, but some people going a step further to deny and cover it up. It’s imperative to help make players, current and future, more aware of all of the challenges they may face as a result of the choice to play football. We need to have the opportunity to really understand what each other may be going through. It’s scary to think I may have CTE."

As an NFL player, Levy’s statements drew added attention to a serious issue. It was refreshing to see someone so closely associated with the game address the situation in such an emotionally candid and open manner. Player safety in professional football is an absolute must, and the risks cannot be swept under the rug. For as many productive seasons as he has had on the field, his greatest contributions to the future of the sport are these statements.

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DeAndre Levy was a true Lion for eight years. A productive, hard working, and classy player, Levy’s health issues are the only legitimate reason for his release. It’s always tough to watch someone with his ability and integrity walk out the door, but there is every reason to believe he will find the right fit as a free agent, and continue his NFL career. Currently just shy of his 30th birthday, he still likely has a few productive seasons ahead of him, if he can stay healthy. Even if the duration of his playing career won’t unfold in a Honolulu blue uniform, Lions fans will continue to root for his success.