Anthony J. Pittman Bio
Anthony J. Pittman (born November 24, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Wayne State Warriors and signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Pittman has developed into a reliable special teams contributor during his NFL career, appearing in multiple games across six seasons with three different franchises. His journey from a lightly recruited college player to a durable NFL roster member exemplifies persistence and Versatility on the football field.
Early Life and Background
Anthony J. Pittman was born on November 24, 1996, in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Birmingham Groves High School in Beverly Hills, Michigan, where he developed his skills as a linebacker. After high school, Pittman was lightly recruited by major college programs and chose to continue his football career at the NCAA Division II level.
Path to American Football
Pittman enrolled at Wayne State University, joining the Warriors football program from 2014 to 2018. At Wayne State, he emerged as a leader on and off the field, serving as a two-year team captain. His performance consistently earned recognition within the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, culminating in back-to-back first-team All-GLIAC selections during his junior and senior seasons. During his college career, Pittman played in 43 games, recording 181 tackles and 8 sacks while also contributing on special teams units.
Anthony J. Pittman Career
Detroit Lions First Stint (2019–2023)
Pittman went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft but was signed by the Detroit Lions as a free agent. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019, and signed to the practice squad the following day. His rookie season involved multiple transactions between the practice squad and active roster, culminating in a promotion to the 53-man roster on December 26, 2019. The pattern of waiver and practice squad transactions continued into the 2020 season, though Pittman eventually signed a reserve/future contract with Detroit on January 5, 2021, securing his place on the roster for the 2021 campaign.
On August 30, 2022, the Lions again waived Pittman before re-signing him to the practice squad, where he spent less than a month before earning a promotion to the active roster on September 27. He remained on the roster for the remainder of the season and established himself as a core special teams player. Pittman appeared in all 17 regular season games during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Detroit, also participating in all three playoff games during the 2023 season as the Lions advanced in the postseason.
Washington Commanders (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Pittman signed with the Washington Commanders seeking a fresh start with a new organization. His tenure with Washington proved brief, as he was released on August 27, 2024, during final roster reductions. The brief stint provided Pittman with valuable experience in a different defensive system before his next opportunity arose.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
Pittman signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on October 7, 2024. He appeared in one game for Jacksonville, recording one tackle during his brief appearance. The stint with the Jaguars kept Pittman active and prepared for his eventual return to a familiar environment.
Detroit Lions Second Stint (2024–Present)
On December 17, 2024, Pittman returned to the Detroit Lions when he was signed off the Jaguars practice squad. The homecoming provided Pittman with续续机会 to rejoin the organization where he had spent his first five NFL seasons. On March 14, 2025, he re-signed with the Lions on a one-year contract, demonstrating the team’s continued confidence in his abilities. Following the 2025 training camp, Pittman was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad. He was subsequently released from the practice squad on September 9.
Playing Style and Strengths
Pittman has carved out a role as a dependable special teams contributor throughout his NFL career. His experience spanning multiple seasons and teams has equipped him with Versatility and adaptability to different defensive schemes. At 6 feet 3 inches and 236 pounds, he possesses the size and speed combination necessary for the linebacker position. His durability is evidenced by his ability to appear in all 17 regular season games during multiple seasons while maintaining his role on special teams units.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Pittman’s career thus far includes his participation in the 2023 NFL Playoffs with the Detroit Lions, where he appeared in all three postseason games. His journey from undrafted free agent to a player who has appeared in multiple playoff games represents a significant achievement in his professional career. The consistent pattern of teams retaining his services throughout his career speaks to his reliability and value as a depth player and special teams asset.
Anthony J. Pittman Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Anthony J. Pittman has accumulated playing time across regular season and playoff games with three NFL franchises. His career statistics reflect his role as a special teams-focused player rather than a primary defensive playmaker.
Career Statistics Highlights
Through the 2025 NFL season, Pittman has recorded 32 career tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass deflection across his time with the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. His forced fumble total demonstrates occasional disruptive ability when aligned on defense, while his tackle count reflects meaningful contributions in limited defensive snaps. Pittman’s consistent availability and special teams production have been his primary contributions to every roster he has joined.
College Achievements
At Wayne State, Pittman earned recognition as a two-time first-team All-GLIAC selection during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He finished his collegiate career having played in 43 games with 181 tackles and 8 sacks, establishing himself as one of the conference’s top linebackers during his senior seasons.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (Wayne State) | 43 | 181 | 8 | — |
| NFL Career | 40+ | 32 | — | 2 |
Anthony J. Pittman Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding Anthony J. Pittman’s family background, including his parents or family lineage in football. Pittman was raised in the Detroit, Michigan area and attended Birmingham Groves High School before pursuing his football career at Wayne State University.
Personal Life
Anthony J. Pittman maintains a public presence on social media under the handle thatguyant57 on Instagram. His professional football career has taken him through multiple organizations in the NFL, demonstrating his adaptability and resilience in a competitive league. Pittman’s journey from undrafted free agent to a player who has appeared in playoff games highlights his determination to establish himself in professional football despite initial setbacks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another chapter in Anthony J. Pittman’s jourrn with the Detroit Lions. After re-signing with the team in March 2025 on a one-year contract, Pittman participated in training camp competing for a roster spot. Following the conclusion of training camp, he was released on August 26 during final roster reductions before being re-signed to the practice squad. His subsequent release from the practice squad on September 9 underscores the challenging nature of maintaining an NFL roster spot as a veteran special teams player. Pittman continues to pursue opportunities with the Lions organization, bringing experience and reliability to any role he assumes within the team structure.