Lions WR St. Brown returns home to Germany for surprise game

Detroit's international game in Munich next season will fulfill a dream for the wide receiver.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:45am

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will get to play a game in his home country of Germany next season when the Lions take on an opponent in Munich. St. Brown, who was born in California but spent much of his childhood in Germany, received a surprise call from the NFL about the international game and was thrilled at the opportunity to return home and play in front of family and friends.

Why it matters

The NFL's continued expansion of international games, including the first-ever regular season game in Germany, provides unique opportunities for players with international ties like St. Brown to reconnect with their roots. This homecoming game will be a special moment for St. Brown and could help grow the sport's popularity in Germany.

The details

St. Brown, whose father is German and mother is American, spent several years of his childhood living in Germany before moving back to the United States as a teenager. The 24-year-old wide receiver was caught off guard when he received a call from the NFL informing him that the Lions would be one of the teams playing in the inaugural Germany game next season. St. Brown was overjoyed at the chance to return home and play in front of his family and friends in Munich.

  • The NFL announced the first-ever regular season game in Germany will take place in Munich in 2026.
  • The Detroit Lions were selected as one of the teams to play in the Germany game.

The players

Amon-Ra St. Brown

A 24-year-old wide receiver for the Detroit Lions who was born in California but spent part of his childhood living in Germany.

Detroit Lions

An American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL) and will be playing in the inaugural Germany game in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“When I got the call that we were going to be playing in Germany, I was so excited. It's a dream come true to be able to play in front of my family and friends in my home country.”

— Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions wide receiver

What’s next

The NFL will announce the full 2026 international game schedule, including the opponent and date for the Detroit Lions' game in Munich, in the coming months.

The takeaway

Amon-Ra St. Brown's homecoming game in Germany represents the NFL's continued efforts to grow the sport globally, providing unique opportunities for players with international ties to reconnect with their roots and potentially inspire new fans in emerging markets.