Recall when Terrion Arnold, the cornerback from Alabama, conveyed a heartwarming message to his mother on national television during the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year? At the Detroit Lions’ rookie minicamp this weekend, Arnold had another moment with his mom, this time with a different tone, just in time for Mother’s Day.
When I was a kid, when I used to beat my mom at racing, I had to continually beat her,” Arnold said. “We used to fight when I was younger, just wrestling with her or playing around. Like, man, I’ll never forget one time my mom kicked my tooth out because we were just going at it so hard. …
“If my mom were out here right now and lined up across from me as a receiver, I would jam her into the dirt. That’s my mindset. And my mom knows that. I just mean in the simple aspect of football-wise, that’s just the way that I think and the way that I was brought up.”
Arnold, selected as the 24th pick by the Lions in the NFL Draft on April 25, joined his new teammates for his first on-field work at rookie minicamp this weekend and expressed his happiness to be out there.
“I was so happy that I sent a photo to my family once I got into my practice uniform,” Arnold shared. “When I put it on, I sent a picture to my family. When they saw it, they were like, ‘You finally made it. Now it’s time to get to work.’ So that’s just the structure and the way I was brought up.”
Regarding the message in his “mother-in-the-dirt” quote, Arnold explained, “It means that when I line up, I’m not one to be played with. Obviously, as a rookie, I’m ready for people to challenge me. It’s going to be exciting. But when I go out there, give it a couple of tries, you’ll see. I’m not to be played with.”
Arnold, donning No. 0 during Lions’ practices, cited his selection of the jersey number, newly permissible as of last season, as a testament to his unique identity, stating, “There’s nobody quite like me.”
During the NFL Scouting Combine, Arnold delivered a heartfelt message to his mother, expressing pride and gratitude for her resilience and determination in overcoming adversity as a young parent. He acknowledged her role in shaping him into the person he is today, affirming his commitment to continue shining and never forgetting his roots.
