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The news may have just gone public on Monday, but the Detroit Lions actually informed center Dominic Raiola about their decision to not re-sign him last week. Raiola decided to address the news on Tuesday in a conference call with reporters, and below is a recap of what he had to say. (For a recap of Jim Caldwell and Martin Mayhew's comments on this news, go here.)
On not returning to the Lions:
Raiola: "Not talking about the future, I’m not going to be a Lion anymore that’s the hardest thing.... I’m a big boy. I’ll handle it."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 20, 2015
Raiola said he respects Mayhew, Lewand and Caldwell in that he didn't hear it through a third party. They were the first to tell him.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 20, 2015
On the city of Detroit:
Raiola said if there's one thing he could apologize to the city of Detroit for is that they weren't more successful while he was here #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 20, 2015
Raiola said he has a "special bond" with the city of Detroit
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 20, 2015
Raiola on how he wants his time in Detroit to be remembered: "If you live in the city, you understand the passion I played with."
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) January 20, 2015
Raiola: "People ask me when I’m moving back to Hawaii. I’m not. This is home for me now."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 20, 2015
On his future:
Raiola: "Obviously, I still think I can play."
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 20, 2015
On the Lions' future at center:
Raiola said the center position is in "great" hands in Detroit moving forward with Travis Swanson.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 20, 2015
On his time with the Lions:
Raiola admits he was controversial at times, but he said he worked hard every day and played with passion.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) January 20, 2015