Anthony Pittman Bio
Anthony J. Pittman (born November 24, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Wayne State Warriors before signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Over the course of his NFL career, Pittman has spent time with the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars, working primarily on special teams and as a depth linebacker. He is listed at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and 236 lb (107 kg).
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Pittman built his career on perseverance, repeatedly climbing from practice squads onto active rosters. His journey from a lightly recruited high school prospect to a multi-year NFL contributor reflects steady development and a reputation for reliability on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Anthony J. Pittman was born on November 24, 1996, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in the metropolitan area and attended Birmingham Groves High School in Beverly Hills, Michigan. Coming out of high school, he was a lightly recruited prospect, which meant he did not draw significant attention from major college football programs during the recruiting process.
Despite the limited recruitment, Pittman remained committed to playing college football and chose to compete at the Division II level. His high school years laid the foundation for his future at the linebacker position, where his frame and instincts began to take shape. He graduated from Birmingham Groves before transitioning to his college career.
Path to Professional Football
Pittman enrolled at Wayne State University, where he played for the Wayne State Warriors from 2014 to 2018. At Wayne State, he became a two-year team captain and earned two first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) selections in 2018 and 2019, establishing himself as one of the conference’s top linebackers. During his college career, he appeared in 43 games, recording 181 tackles and 8 sacks.
In addition to his work at linebacker, Pittman contributed on special teams for the Warriors, an aspect of his game that would later define his professional role. Following his senior season, he entered the 2019 NFL draft as an undrafted prospect, and shortly after the draft he signed with the Detroit Lions, beginning his professional career.
Anthony Pittman Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Pittman signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft. He was waived on August 30, 2019, and signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Over the remainder of the 2019 season, he moved on and off the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on December 26, 2019.
In 2020, Pittman again was waived at the start of the season and re-signed to the practice squad, where he spent most of the year. He was briefly placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list in December 2020 before being restored in early January 2021. He signed a reserve/future contract with Detroit on January 5, 2021, securing his place with the organization heading into the next season.
Detroit Lions Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Pittman’s role with the Detroit Lions expanded beginning in 2022. He was waived in late August and re-signed to the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster on September 27, 2022. He went on to play in all 17 regular season games in both 2022 and 2023, primarily contributing on special teams.
During the 2023 season, Pittman also played in all three of Detroit’s playoff games, serving as a steady presence on special teams units. His consistency over two full seasons established him as a reliable depth linebacker and core special teams player within the Lions organization.
Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Pittman signed with the Washington Commanders, beginning a turbulent year that saw him move between three organizations. He was released by Washington on August 27, 2024, at the end of the preseason.
Shortly after his release, Pittman was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on October 7, 2024. He appeared in one game for Jacksonville and recorded one tackle before being signed away by the Detroit Lions on December 17, 2024, off the Jaguars’ practice squad.
Detroit Lions Second Stint (2024–2025)
Returning to the Lions late in the 2024 season, Pittman rejoined the organization where he had spent the bulk of his career. On March 14, 2025, he re-signed with Detroit on a one-year contract, signaling the team’s continued faith in his special teams value.
He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, and was re-signed to the practice squad. Pittman was released from the practice squad on September 9, 2025, leaving his status beyond that point uncertain.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments in Pittman’s career was his promotion to the active roster in December 2019, marking his first official NFL roster appearance. He also played in all three Detroit Lions playoff games during the 2023 postseason, a milestone that reflected his value to the team on special teams. His two first-team All-GLIAC selections in 2018 and 2019 stand as his most significant collegiate achievements.
Anthony Pittman Career Highlights
Throughout his NFL career, Anthony J. Pittman has accumulated 32 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass deflection, statistics recorded as of the 2025 season. These numbers reflect a role centered on special teams and situational defensive play rather than full-time starting duty.
His career has been defined by persistence, as he has moved between active rosters and practice squads across multiple teams. The two first-team All-GLIAC selections during his time at Wayne State remain the cornerstone of his on-field résumé.
Other Performances
Beyond the NFL, Pittman’s most decorated stretch came at Wayne State, where his 181 tackles and 8 sacks across 43 college games showcased his consistent production. His two-time first-team All-GLIAC recognition underscored his standing as one of the conference’s premier linebackers during his final two collegiate seasons.
Anthony Pittman Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Anthony J. Pittman was born and raised in the Detroit, Michigan area, where he attended Birmingham Groves High School in nearby Beverly Hills, Michigan. Specific details about his parents and family members are not widely documented in publicly available sources.
Public information regarding Pittman’s personal life, including marital status and children, has not been formally confirmed in verified sources. He has maintained a presence on social media, including an active Instagram account under the handle @thatguyant57.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony J. Pittman entered the 2025 NFL season with the Detroit Lions after re-signing with the team on a one-year contract in March 2025. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad in an effort to remain with the organization.
On September 9, 2025, Pittman was released from the Lions’ practice squad, leaving his playing status for the remainder of the 2025 season uncertain. His contributions during the early portion of the year, when active, continued to center on special teams, where he had built his professional reputation.
Looking forward, Pittman’s career outlook depends on opportunities that may arise with other NFL teams in need of linebacker depth or special teams help. His track record of resilience and his history of returning to active rosters suggest he remains a viable option for organizations seeking that type of role.