New Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard’s life has been far from a fairy tale. As reported by The Athletic’s Zac Keefer, he endured a challenging upbringing. His father was repeatedly incarcerated, and his mother struggled with a severe drug addiction throughout his youth. In short, his personal circumstances were chaotic and beyond his control.

Football became a source of structure and solace in his life.

“I went through a lot of things outside of my control that impacted my family, and I learned early on that football and its discipline were things I could control—like the work I put in and how I respond to situations,” Stuard said in his introductory press conference with Detroit. “That’s something I could hold onto. The game gave me comfort.”

That sense of stability helped him overcome personal struggles and defy the odds to carve out a professional football career. A major turning point came in 2019 when he turned to faith and committed to aligning his personal and athletic journey with the same mindset.

“In Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9, verse 10 or 11, it says to give your all to whatever your hands find to do because once you’re in the grave, there’s no more work, effort, or action left to take,” Stuard shared.

“That passage really resonated with me when I read it as a young man. In 2019, I dedicated my life to Christ. I believe my playing style reflects that commitment. It’s evident in how I prepare and even how I practice. I hope to earn that reputation here and contribute to the team. That’s how I define my play.”

Stuard made his way to the University of Houston, where he could continue playing football while supporting his family. His hard work led to him being selected as Mr. Irrelevant, the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Though his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team that drafted him, lasted only a year, he spent three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, emerging as a standout special teams player and a reliable defensive backup. In 2024, he earned his first career start, racking up 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and praise from his head coach.

For a player looking to grow in his career, joining Detroit might seem like a tough choice. The Lions already have all three starting linebackers returning and a deep roster of special teams contributors, including Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, and Trevor Nowaske.

Many would see that as a reason to seek other opportunities, and Stuard had other offers. However, he told his agent that being around high-level talent was exactly what he wanted.

“It wasn’t like other opportunities where the path to playing time or becoming a key contributor was easier,” Stuard said. “But my agent told me, ‘Detroit has some strong players at your position.’ My response was, ‘That’s great! I want to be around guys who approach every day with the same intensity and commitment that I do.’”