Former Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch retires, but will remain active in Detroit

Former Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch (with his mother Mercedes) announced his retirement on Thursday at the Lions training facility. (Oakland Pres photo/Paula Pasche)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: April 20, 2017 at 5:23 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:24 a.m.

ALLEN PARK >> A part of Stephen Tulloch’s heart remains in Detroit.

That will not change for the former Lions’ linebacker who announced his retirement on Thursday at the Detroit Lions training facility.

He is done with football but not with the Motor City.

“One chapter of my life is closed, but working in the community in Detroit will never stop. I’m just excited about the future, continuing my work here and help kids who are fighting cancer,” said Tulloch who started Stephen Tulloch Foundation (Tulloch55.com) while he played with the Lions from 2011 to 2015.

Coach Jim Caldwell introduced an emotional Tullloch – he choked up when he got to the podium – and praised him for his work on and off the field. Several of his coaches were in attendance.

“He’s a man’s man. I think you will find those who know him will tell you he’s as well respected as everyone you’ve ever seen,” Caldwell said. “He’s also a guy who’s as well-rounded as anyone you’ve ever seen. He does a tremendous job not only in terms of setting an example for our young players teaching them how to prepare and be a pro. Also for the Detroit community as well.”

It was a tough day for Tulloch, 32, who spent 11 years in the NFL.

“I’ve been doing it for 27 years, from 1991 all the way to 2017, I put a helmet and shoulder pads on, I’ve never missed a year of football in my life,” Tulloch said. “Now that it’s over and this chapter is closed, I think I’m in a unique situation because I prepared for it before it actually happened. I took care of my finances off the field. I got embedded in the community in Miami (his hometown), Detroit and Nashville. I’m in a good situation. I can walk away from the game in peace knowing I took care of my business on and off the field and I’m in great shape and I can pretty much do whatever I want to do.”

That is good news for the city of Detroit.

He said he is thinking of opening a tutoring center in downtown Detroit and will keep up his work with children in the city along with cancer patients and their families.

“I want to do something other players haven’t done before. I want to make a huge impact I think I’m in a unique situation where I can do that,” Tulloch said. “I don’t want to just talk the talk, I want to walk the walk, and lead by example and show other players we can do more. We make a great living we can give our time and a little of our money back to give kids a great opportunity.”

Tulloch was honored four consecutive seasons (2012-15) when he was named the Lions’ Robert Porcher Man of the Year for his community service work.

Tulloch signed as a free agent with the Lions in 2011, following coach Jim Schwartz to Detroit. Schwartz had been Tulloch’s defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. One of the reasons Schwartz wanted Tulloch to start for the Lions was his leadership on and off the field. “Without Jim Schwartz I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I had. When the fourth round came around in 2006 coach (Jeff) Fisher and the other coaches thought I was too small but coach Schwartz stuck his neck out for me to get drafted,” Tulloch said. “The rest is history. He’s given me life to be able to come to Detroit if it wasn’t for him i wouldn’t be here. I told him I appreciated him, he flipped it back and said he appreciated me.”

Tulloch again played for Schwartz in the 2016 season for the Eagles where Schwartz is the defensive coordinator. He had been released from the Lions after a long wait until he was cleared medically. He said he holds no animosity toward the Lions.

Even though he was with the Eagles last season,he said his heart was in Detroit. Something about the city and its fans made a huge impact on Tulloch.

He has not forgotten.

He certainly does walk the walk when it comes to Detroit.

Caldwell quoted Jackie Robinson when talking about Tulloch: “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.”

“I think without question Stephen’s life personified that particular quote,” Caldwell said. “Nobody impacted this particular community more than he did.”