Reiff visits Lions after family time during draft

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Riley Reiff could have been at Radio City Music Hall in New York Thursday night to hear NFL commissioner Roger Goodell make the announcement that Reiff had been selected by the Detroit Lions with the 23rd pick overall.

But that’s not Reiff. That's so not Reiff.

He’s a small-town guy who felt much more comfortable staying back home in Parkston, S.D.

“They (the NFL) tried getting me to go pretty hard, but I love South Dakota, I love Parkston, and I wanted to spend it with my family,” Reiff said Friday during a news conference at the Lions’ practice facility.

“I’m glad I did. I had a blast. It was a great time last night.”

The Detroit Lions’ website reported that by staying home, Reiff was able to spend some time after his big moment with his grandfather, Lloyd Reiff, 92, who is dying of cancer.

Reiff described Parkston as “a small farming town.”

“A lot of hard-working people, very nice,” Reiff said. “I take pride in coming from a small town, especially in South Dakota. My roots will always be in South Dakota.”

Reiff, who is 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, said he was too nervous to watch the draft on television. He had told reporters via telephone Thursday night that he was hanging out in a barn. He clarified that Friday, explaining it was more like an oversized shack, not a barn.

Reiff, his two younger brothers and a couple of high school buddies, sat around on couches in the shack, listening to music and telling stories while the draft was going on.

After getting the heads-up call from Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, Reiff went into the garage to share the moment with about 20 other relatives and friends.

“I waited until they saw it first (on TV), then I kind of gave everybody high-fives and hugs and stuff,” Reiff said.

It appears that the first NFL game that Reiff ever attends also will be his debut as a professional player. He said he’s never been to a game.

He did have a favorite team growing up. It was the Oakland Raiders.

You’ll never guess why.

“The mailman was a Raiders fan,” Reiff said. “He talked me into being a Raiders fan. He kept on telling me about all the old (Raider) players. He’s a character.”

Lions coach Jim Schwartz reiterated Friday that he doesn’t consider Reiff a developmental player. In time, Reiff could be the replacement at left tackle for aging Jeff Backus.

For now, Reiff could push right tackle Gosder Cherilus for the starting job. Reiff also can play both guard positions.

“We see him as a guy that has the possibility of playing pretty soon for us,” Schwartz said.

The first Lions’ player Reiff met, ironically, was Backus.

“I got to say hi and talk to him a little bit,” Reiff said. “Seems like a really nice guy. Very welcoming. I’m looking forward to learning under him, taking some of his knowledge.

“We didn’t get to talk for very long, but he just said, ‘We’ve got a great group of guys, welcome, and we’re going to have some fun.’”

Reiff said he planned to return to Iowa to work out before coming back to Detroit in two weeks for the club’s rookie mini-camp.

“I’m really excited to be a Detroit Lion,” he said. “I’ve been following them the last few years. They’ve got a great team that’s on the rise.

"I’m just here to contribute any way I can, come out and work hard.”