Dominic Raiola talks about leaving the Lions

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