Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson, a player admired for his intensity and authenticity, recently offered a candid look back at his early NFL journey. Appearing on the St. Brown Bros. podcast, Robertson reflected on his difficult transition from college stardom to the professional level — and how his early years with the Las Vegas Raiders tested him both on and off the field.
Adjusting to Life in Las Vegas
When Robertson first entered the league, life in Las Vegas turned out to be far from what he imagined. “I’m not really a gambler,” he said, as quoted by Lions OnSI. “But at first, I was partying a lot. I’ll be real — my first two years, I was doing that often. There was a reason behind it, though. Vegas was hard.”
His struggles weren’t simply about being distracted by nightlife — they came from feeling lost in his new football role. Drafted to play as an outside corner, Robertson was unexpectedly shifted inside to nickelback, a position he had never played before.
“I came in thinking I’d be on the outside,” he recalled. “Next thing I know, they switch me to nickel. That was foreign to me — like learning a new language. They just threw me in there without real guidance. I didn’t perform the way I wanted, and soon people started to give up on me.”
The COVID Challenge
The timing made things even tougher. Robertson’s rookie season came during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that stripped players of valuable hands-on learning opportunities. “We didn’t have OTAs, no real practices,” he said. “Everything was on an iPad. You can’t really learn that way — it’s not the same as being on the field. When I finally got out there, the game felt too fast. I wasn’t ready, and for two years straight, I felt stuck and isolated. That’s when I started going out more — just trying to escape.”
Looking for Acceptance
The constant struggle to prove himself took an emotional toll. Robertson admitted that his nights out were less about partying and more about chasing a sense of belonging. “When you go from being loved all through high school and college to suddenly feeling like nobody believes in you anymore, it messes with your head,” he said. “When I went out to clubs, I felt accepted again — that’s why I was out there so much.”
Finding His Way Back
Over time, Robertson began to understand that the nightlife wasn’t helping him grow. “Eventually, I realized that wasn’t who I am,” he said. “I had to reconnect with my roots and remind myself what got me here in the first place.”
Now with the Detroit Lions, Robertson has regained his footing under a coaching staff that emphasizes trust, discipline, and authenticity. He’s rediscovered the confidence that once made him a standout at Louisiana Tech and is now channeling his energy into becoming the best version of himself — both on and off the field.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that professional athletes, no matter how tough they appear, fight private battles too — and sometimes, the hardest opponent to conquer is the one within.
