Danny Shelton has kept his football journey on track with resolve and determination to move forward through personal tragedy and the ups and downs of life on and off the field.
Shelton, who agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions as a free agent, has built a reputation in five NFL seasons as a 345-pound run-stuffing defensive tackle.
It's a quality the Lions have valued in reshaping their defensive roster in the offseason, and one that Shelton is eager to add to head coach Matt Patricia's defensive system and culture.
"During my journey in football, I always had to face adversity," Shelton said Sunday in a conference-call interview with the Detroit media. "We had some sort of adversity to overcome.
"I think that just kind of stuck with me. Being able to grow and learn from every situation has prepared me and molded me into the type of player I am now.
"I'm willing to play wherever he needs me to play. My main goal is to give it my all and help bring more wins to Detroit."
Shelton has experienced extreme losing and winning.
He spent three seasons with the Cleveland Browns after being drafted 12th overall in 2015 out of the University of Washington. The Browns won four games in three years, with an 0-16 won-loss record in 2017.
He was traded to the Patriots in the 2018 offseason and landed with a team that won Super Bowl LIII in the first season with his new team.
Before Shelton's college career began at the University of Washington, he had to deal with being present when his brother, Shennon, was shot to death in an argument that escalated into a fatal shooting.
One brother, Gaston, was shot in the chest and survived. The gunman's weapon jammed when he tried to fire at Danny, who subdued him.
Danny had already committed to attending Washington when the incident occurred. Understandably he had some emotionally trying times but eventually got through it.
"That probably was one of the biggest impacts," he said. "It was a time when I was young and didn't know if I was going to continue my plan to attend Washington."
Shelton followed through on attending Washington and found the support there and from family and friends to move on from the tragedy of his brother's death.
View photos of defensive tackle Danny Shelton. Photos courtesy Associated Press.
Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff (16) looks for a receiver under pressure from New England Patriots' Danny Shelton during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Danny Shelton (71) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Landover, Md. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 33-7. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) points number one after the Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) runs during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Patriots defeated Bengals 34-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs won 23-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) makes a tackle during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Philadelphia. New England won 17-10. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs won 23-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) stands during the National Anthem before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. The Texans beat the Patriots 28-22. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) runs around the edge as Cleveland Browns offensive guard Justin McCray (67) blocks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 27-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz, right, tries to slip past New England Patriots' Danny Shelton during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Danny Shelton (71) between plays during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Landover, MD. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 33-7. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) looks on during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) is sacked by Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) looks on during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) claps his hands and celebrates after he and New England Patriots outside linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) get a split sack on Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) for a loss of 7 yards at the Dolphins 24 yard line during an NFL football game against the against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 43-0. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) and outside linebacker John Simon (55) tackle Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) in the backfield during NFL Super Bowl 53 on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. Patriots won 13-3. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) celebrates after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, during the second half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton walks to the huddle in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
As Shelton progressed through his pro career, the turning point was the trade to New England. Playing in head coach Bill Belichick's system was something Shelton said he appreciated, and something that should carry over to playing for the Lions.
The Patriot Way – and the "Do Your Job" mantra – made a lasting impact.
"The thing that stood out to me the most is, the teamwork aspect of it," Shelton said. "There's something different than other teams I've heard about.
"It's like another level of expectations. Everyone's more focused and accountable, and I think that just ties into everyone's work ethic, and everyone desire -- wanting to win and wanting to be a part of this system."
Shelton, who turns 27 in August, brings durability to the Lions, a precious quality that was lacking in 2019. He missed only five regular-season games in five years.
Shelton's role in his two seasons with the Patriots grew from playing 324 defensive snaps in 2018 to 492 in 2019.
"It took me a little bit to buy in and perform to Bill's standards," Shelton said. "I think it's been an awesome experience for me to kind of learn another system and grow from it."
He also got an inside look at how former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady operates. Everything he'd heard about Brady's competitive nature proved to be true.
"Just witnessing it myself, he's a guy who doesn't back down from a challenge," Shelton said. " "He always wants to compete."
