Ndamukong Suh, widely regarded as one of the most impactful draft picks in Detroit Lions history, recently shared his honest feelings about his connection with the franchise as he pursues a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Suh, a dominant defensive tackle known for his fierce presence on the field, acknowledged that he has felt somewhat alienated by the Lions organization.

Speaking on the “Up & Adams” show with Kay Adams on Wednesday, August 27, Suh addressed questions regarding his potential Hall of Fame induction and whether Detroit would play a role in celebrating that milestone. The 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, who earned five All-Pro selections over his career, stopped short of declaring how the Lions might be involved, emphasizing that no discussions have taken place about him retiring officially as a Lion.

“There has been no discussion. I don’t know what the relationship is going to be like with that one in the future, but I know I have a great relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles… as well as the Tampa Bay Bucs,” Suh said. “So, ultimately, there’s a lot of teams out there that still love me.”

When Adams asked if Suh felt the Lions didn’t share that same appreciation, the veteran defensive star candidly responded, “I’ll leave it at this: I don’t necessarily feel the love.”

This sense of distance between Suh and Detroit is not without precedent. The Lions have a history of strained relationships with some of their most legendary players, including Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, though both situations were eventually reconciled. Suh noted that any repair in his relationship with Detroit would require open dialogue, and some progress has already been made. Notably, he visited the Lions’ facility this past summer for the first time in a decade, signaling a willingness to reconnect.

Suh’s football résumé speaks volumes about his Hall of Fame credentials. Four of his All-Pro selections came during his time in Detroit before a contract dispute in 2014 led to his departure. He later had stints with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played alongside Tom Brady during their 2020 Super Bowl run. Suh concluded his NFL career in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Over 13 seasons and 199 career games, Suh recorded 71.5 sacks, 600 combined tackles, and 130 tackles for loss. His 214 quarterback hits rank second all-time behind only Aaron Donald, cementing his legacy as one of the most disruptive defensive forces of his era.