From the Gridiron to the NICU: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Henry Ford Hospital Nurses Trade Places

January 17, 2025

DETROIT (Jan. 17, 2025) — As the entire region gears up to watch our beloved Detroit Lions continue their path toward the Super Bowl, Henry Ford Health team members are hoping some recent NICU training plays a role in a star player’s success.

Taking some time away from the field to brighten the day of patients, their families and health care heroes, Detroit Lions Receiver Amon Ra St. Brown recently visited Henry Ford Hospital to get a glimpse of what it’s like to care for some of our tiniest patients. The NFL Pro-Bowler visited the NICU at Henry Ford Hospital to learn what it takes to be an all-star nurse in a video that’s racking up on social media clicks like the Lions rack up wins.

During his visit St. Brown shadowed NICU nurses, learning about their day-to-day responsibilities. He read to one of the babies, practiced “changing diapers” and gaining insight into the dedication it takes to provide critical care to newborns.

Next, St. Brown invited the nurses to the Lions practice facility, where he flipped the script — teaching them what it takes to be an NFL receiver for a day. St. Brown ran nurses Emily Cheek, Alana Drylie and Kayla Yancho through drills and taught them what it takes to do an end-zone dance.