Amon-Ra St. Brown, the talented wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, expressed his disappointment regarding the team’s scheduled game on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Vikings. During a recent episode of the “St. Brown Podcast,” the 26-year-old athlete candidly shared that he would prefer to spend the holiday relaxing rather than competing in an NFL matchup.
St. Brown, who has played in the league for five seasons, emphasized the significance of Christmas, stating, “The two biggest holidays I feel like in the United States, we played on both of them.” The Lions traditionally play on Thanksgiving, making it particularly disheartening for St. Brown to have to work during another major holiday. He noted, “And I don’t even have kids yet. If I had kids, I’d be even more pissed. Like, you can’t be spending it with your family.”
The Lions’ game against the Vikings is set to kick off at 16:30 ET in Minneapolis, which adds to St. Brown’s frustration about being away from his family on such a festive occasion. He remarked on the challenges of traveling during the holidays, saying, “Us traveling, it’s like, damn.”
Interestingly, St. Brown has never played on Christmas throughout his career, with the closest experience being a game on December 26 during his rookie year in 2021. He participated in Christmas Eve games in both 2022 and 2023. His sentiments echo those of other high-profile athletes; for example, NBA star LeBron James recently expressed a similar wish to have Christmas off from competing.
Despite his reservations about playing on Christmas, St. Brown acknowledged the value of showcasing his skills on a prominent stage. “Hey, another primetime game, can’t really complain,” he said. He also mentioned his enthusiasm for playing at Minnesota, suggesting that the game could still be an exciting opportunity.
As the Lions prepare for this holiday clash, St. Brown’s candid reflections highlight the sacrifices many athletes make for their professions, particularly during cherished family occasions. While he may be away from loved ones this Christmas, he remains committed to delivering a strong performance on the field.
