Allen Park — Lions linebacker Steve Longa turned in one of the best performances of his young career during one of the worst weeks of his life.
Longa’s father, Etienne Longa, was killed last Thursday when he was struck by a car while trying to cross a road in Lower Mount Bethel Township in Pennsylvania. He was 55.
Steve Longa was excused from practice last Friday to tend to family matters, but opted to return to the team and suit up for Sunday’s 14-7 win over the Vikings.
Longa, a second-year pro, responded by playing through the pain and logging a career-high 12 defensive snaps and four total tackles, two on defense and two on special teams.