Suh's reputation takes more hits

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions bad boy Ndamukong Suh’s reputation has gotten as nasty off the field as it is on it.

Just last week:

• Suh was accused of sideswiping another vehicle near the Lions' practice facility, berating the other driver and leaving the scene of the accident (police closed the case without any arrests or tickets being issued).

• He got sued, along with his sister, for allegedly not returning a $100,000 security deposit on a home in Birmingham, Mich., which they had rented out to a couple.

• He also was criticized by an anonymous NFL general manager who said Suh belonged on the “All-Hype team” in a Pro Football Weekly article.

That was all followed by a controversial tweet from his sister, Ngum, who is closely involved with Suh’s business affairs.

The tweet read: “Thank u Jesus! Only 2.5 more years!”

Suh, a defensive tackle, is contractually committed to two more seasons with the Lions after this year.

Many observers interpreted his sister’s message to mean that he would be looking to leave Detroit after the 2014 season (his contract runs through 2015, but he can void the final year).

Ngum Suh later sent out another tweet saying that her messages are not always about her brother.

“What my sister tweets is what she tweets,” Suh said Thursday following practice. “It has nothing to do with me. That’s her personal account. That’s why her name’s on it. I have my personal account that says verified and says my name on it.”

Asked directly about his future with the Lions, Suh said, “I would love to be here. This city is great to me. It continues to be great to me. The people are great people. I love playing here. That’s why I wear the jersey.”

There’s no doubt that Suh, a Pro Bowl starter as a rookie in 2010, has received far more negative publicity than positive over the last couple years.

Some of it goes back to that Thanksgiving Day game last year, when he stomped Green Bay guard Evan Dietrich-Smith and received a two-game suspension from the NFL.

He also has turned off many people with what’s portrayed as a surly, condescending personality.

But there’s another side of Suh, the one that is generous and extremely involved in doing good things for the community.

Which is the real Suh? Good guy with a bad image or bad guy with some good moments?

He was asked whether it bothers him that the good often gets overlooked and that the bad gets played up.

“To me, it’s not frustrating because it’s as simple as I do good because I want to do good,” Suh said. “There’s a saying that bad people, or things that are bad, are always going to have a louder voice, or negative things are always going to have a louder voice. So that’s where it comes.

“There’s people that are recognizing me doing good things, but I don’t need that recognition.”

As for why he doesn’t publicize those good deeds more, such as his numerous hospital visits, Suh answered, “To me, it’s not about the publicity. It’s about doing it because I want to do it and I actually care for it and have a reason for why I’m doing it. I want to see somebody else smile and be able to have their day be enjoyable even though they may be going through a tough time. For me, I don’t need a pat on the back.”

Asked how many hospital visits he’s actually made, Suh said, “A numerous amount but I don’t believe it’s important to say how many I do and when the next time I’m going. I just want to go and do it when I want to do it and have the opportunity to do it built around my schedule playing football and being a professional.”

While privately it may frustrate him to no end, Suh said he understands how the spotlight works for a celebrity athlete such as himself.

“Being an Army All-American in high school, being an All-American in college, being a second overall pick in the NFL, there’s always going to be a microscope on you,” he said. “That’s what comes with the territory.”

Blocking out the negative headlines to make sure they don’t become a distraction can’t be easy, but Suh has been through it enough over the last couple years that he appears to be getting good at it.

He batted down a pass on crucial play late in regulation last Sunday at Philadelphia that helped lead to the Lions’ 26-23 overtime victory.

How does he stay focused with seemingly so much bad being said about him so much of the time?

“Next question,” Suh explained. “It’s as simple as that, ‘Next question.’”

EXTRA POINTS

The Lions re-signed cornerback Alphonso Smith, who led the team with eight interceptions the last two years but got released during the final wave of cuts before this season.

The Lions needed another cornerback because of recent injuries to Bill Bentley (shoulder) and Jacob Lacey (concussion). Both were injured against the Eagles and haven’t returned to practice this week.

To make room for Smith, the Lions released running back Keiland Williams, who also had been playing on special teams.

… Defensive tackle Corey Williams practiced for the first time since undergoing knee surgery about three weeks ago. He said he didn’t know yet whether he will play in Monday’s game at Chicago.

… Quarterback Matthew Stafford, on whether he exchanged Christmas cards with Chicago cornerback D.J. Moore, “Uh, no. I lost his address.” Moore was ejected for charging Stafford after the Lions QB grabbed Moore’s helmet and threw him down during a game last season. The Bears host the Lions in the Sunday night game this week.