For Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, the Oct. 5 victory at Paycor Stadium was far more than a routine win. It was a deeply personal homecoming, just a 30-minute drive from his childhood home in Cincinnati, where his remarkable journey to the NFL began.
Montgomery honed his craft at Mount Healthy High School, a small school on the outskirts of Cincinnati. As a junior, he took over as starting quarterback for the Fighting Owls, dazzling as a dual-threat star. Over his high school career, he amassed an impressive 6,600 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns, capped by a state-leading 2,707-yard senior season. His versatility, throwing for hundreds of yards and multiple touchdowns in his final two years, earned him the prestigious 2015 Ohio Division III Player of the Year award, cementing his reputation as a dynamic talent.
Despite his accolades, college offers were sparse. Montgomery chose Iowa State, where he transitioned to running back with remarkable ease. In three seasons with the Cyclones, he racked up 2,925 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, surpassing 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns in each of his final two years. Selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2019 NFL Draft, Montgomery spent four seasons with the team, but the opportunity to play at Paycor Stadium, a childhood dream, eluded him until his seventh NFL season.
The Lions’ Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals was a moment of profound significance for Montgomery. Raised in a tough Cincinnati neighborhood, he faced adversity early on. His mother worked three jobs to support the family, while his brother and uncle were incarcerated. The city’s violence claimed the life of his mentor and friend, Vince Turnage, whom Montgomery honors by raising two fingers in a “V” skyward after big plays. “Pain is temporary,” he once said. “Don’t allow pain to be a wound that’s consistently open.”
In 2024, another challenge struck when his sister, Kiki, was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. Unable to attend his games in person since the accident, Kiki was present at Paycor Stadium, greeted pregame by Montgomery’s radiant, heartfelt smile, a moment that set an emotional tone for the day.
The Lions dominated the Bengals 37-24, but Montgomery’s performance stole the spotlight. He scored two touchdowns, including a rare passing touchdown, only his second in the NFL. In a clever wildcat formation, he faked a run to the right before delivering a precise touch pass to tight end Brock Wright. His second score, an 8-yard rushing touchdown, showcased his gritty, hard-charging style. Montgomery led the team with 18 carries for 65 yards. This season, he ranks fourth in the NFL with four rushing touchdowns and has accumulated 310 rushing yards, including a standout 151-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens. In 2023, he earned the nickname “Knuckles” for his punishing runs, pairing perfectly with teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, dubbed “Sonic,” to form the league’s most dynamic backfield duo.
This victory transcended the scoreboard. For Montgomery, it was a powerful tribute to his roots, his family, and the resilience that carried him from Cincinnati’s challenges to the NFL’s brightest stage.