Avonte Maddox's love for the Lions never faded; now he gets a chance to play for his hometown team
Allen Park — Most NFL players abandon their childhood fandom by the time they enter the league. Not Avonte Maddox.
Maddox was born in Detroit. He starred at Martin Luther King High School. However, he then left, spending the next decade in Pennsylvania. He played four seasons at Pitt before he was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft by Philadelphia, where he appeared in 81 games across seven seasons for the Eagles.
Philadelphia invested in Maddox. They developed him, they believed in him, and he played in two Super Bowls with the franchise, winning a ring last year. He’s grateful for every second of it, and a piece of his heart will always belong to the city.
But a piece has always belonged to Detroit and the Lions, as well. So, when he had an opportunity to sign with the hometown team he grew up watching every weekend with his family, Maddox jumped at the chance.