For most players, Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals is about football. For Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, it’s about something much bigger.
Montgomery joined Kay Adams on Tuesday and opened up about why this weekend’s game means so much to him.
A Hometown Connection
Montgomery grew up in Cincinnati, and while he hasn’t faced the Bengals since entering the NFL, Sunday marks the first time he’ll line up against his hometown team.
“I think it’s just going to be a rush of emotions,” Montgomery said. “I have never played against Cincinnati since leaving Cincinnati, which will be cool playing against the team that when I grew up, that was like my team, like I was a hometown kid. A bunch of my family members are coming.”
Playing back home is special enough, but for Montgomery, one guest in particular will make it unforgettable.
Why His Sister Makes This Game Different
Montgomery revealed that his sister, who suffered a tragic accident last year, will be in attendance for the first time to see him play in person.
“Maybe like a year, a year and a half… on Valentine’s Day, my sister got in a really bad car accident,” Montgomery said. “Now, she’s paralyzed from the neck down, and she obviously can’t move. But this will be the first game that my sister can actually see me play with her own eyes. So, I’m super, super excited about that, and I’m just happy that she’ll be able to be there.”
David Montgomery will be feeling all the emotions in his Week 5 homecoming in Cincinnati.
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 30, 2025
His sister, who was paralyzed in a car accident, will be there watching ♥️@heykayadams | @MontgomerDavid | @Lions pic.twitter.com/1i4lMYBbKX
Bigger Than Football
It’s the type of moment that goes beyond wins, losses, and stats. For Montgomery, just taking the field in front of his family, especially his sister, is something he’ll carry with him long after the final whistle.
For the Lions, Montgomery’s presence already brings toughness and leadership. But this week, it also brings perspective. Sunday’s game in Cincinnati will be more than a matchup between two playoff contenders. For David Montgomery, it will be a full-circle moment, a celebration of family, resilience, and the power of playing at home.
