DJ Reader

DJ Reader is a defensive tackle and captain for the Detroit Lions. DJ is originally from Greensboro, NC and attended Grimsley High School. He played college football and baseball at Clemson University, where he became the second Clemson Tiger to letter on top-25 football and baseball teams in one academic year (2012-13) since 1994-95. DJ was selected by the Houston Texans in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After 4 seasons in Houston, DJ signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has established himself as one of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL and has played a pivotal role for the Bengals defense that has ranked top 10 in NFL rushing defense each of the past two seasons. DJ is also extremely involved in the community and has his own foundation, A Son Never Forgets. DJ's foundation is a tribute to his father, who passed away in 2014 from a Kidney Disease. Through his foundation, he aims to focus on positive messages around health, wellness, and the importance of education. In June 2023, DJ launched his first "Reader Resource Room" at a high school in Cincinnati. The room aims to address unforeseen circumstances that can affect students' academic plans, regardless of the nature of the hardships they face. The primary goal of the resource room is to provide students with vital resources and information to support their success in school. While each resource room will be tailored to meet the unique needs of the school, they will generally be stocked with personal and school essentials.