Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone leads his team in tackles after the first eight games of the season. Coming off a bye, Detroit plays the Chargers in Week 10 with a 6–2 record and first-place standing in the NFC North.
The seven-year veteran faces a decision after the Lions’ next two games with a baby girl due to be born. Detroit is scheduled for its annual Thanksgiving Day game, which will be played just before the due date.
If Anzalone’s second child is ready to arrive, will he play against the Packers or miss the game to be with his wife and newborn? Appearing on The Ross Tucker Podcast, the linebacker said there’s not a choice to be made.
“I’m out of there,” Anzalone told Tucker with a laugh. “Sorry, Lions fans.”
Check out the clip:
“I am out of there, sorry Lions fans…”@AlexAnzalone34 discusses the possibility of missing an upcoming game for the birth of his baby girl on latest @RossTuckerPod: pic.twitter.com/UTuHuazTAd
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) November 8, 2023
No one will likely dispute that decision by Anzalone. There’s no other decision to be made. In years past, unyielding coaches might have demanded that a player choose football over family. But that’s outdated thinking.
Anyone familiar with Lions coach Dan Campbell knows that he wouldn’t ask Anzalone to miss such an important life moment for one of 17 games on the schedule. Yes, Detroit is competing for one of the top spots in the conference and at least one home playoff game. But the birth of a child is only experienced once. Anzalone has a healthy perspective on this.
