'It Stings!' Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis Gets Payback With Interception vs. Hometown Lions - WATCH

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis, a Detroit-native, planned to bring his A-game against his hometown team the Detroit Lions in NFL Week 17. So far, so good.

While he now plays over 1,000 miles away, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis still wears his Michigan roots loud and proud. ... and to get the second quarter against his hometown Lions started off right, he just recorded an aggressive interception of Jared Goff ...

Maybe fueled by his "it stings'' motivation.

First to the big play, key to preserving Dallas' early 7-3 lead ...

Detroit native Jourdan Lewis with his first interception since breaking his foot last year while intercepting a pass against the Lions pic.twitter.com/L3dun5XoTV

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 31, 2023

Lewis is off to a good start in this game ... with roots that might just be part of that ...

The 28-year-old was born in Detroit, won two state football championships in high school and went on to star with the Michigan Wolverines in nearby Ann Arbor. Lewis' hometown team in the Detroit Lions need a cornerback as he entered the 2017 NFL Draft, so it was shaping up to be a full-circle moment for the Michigan born and raised player.

That's not what happened, though. Instead of drafting the two-time All-American, the Lions took Florida Gators corner Teez Tabor, who is now with the XFL's Houston Roughnecks, at No. 53 overall. Meanwhile, Lewis, who the Cowboys took at No. 92 overall, is now in his seventh season with in Dallas and has remained an important piece of the secondary the entire time.

While Lewis is very happy with the Cowboys, he does play with extra motivation against his hometown Lions after they passed him by.

“When you look at the team that drafted a corner when you were coming up, too, when you were in their backyard,” Lewis told reporters Wednesday. “It kind of stings.”

Saturday's showdown in Dallas will mark the fourth time Lewis has faced Detroit. In the three previous meetings, all Cowboys victories, Lewis has four total tackles and an interception.

Saturday's game will also be special for Lewis in that many family members will visit AT&T Stadium for the occasion. While they may be cheering for him, it's hard to shake a lifetime of fandom for one player.

Cowboys vs. Detroit: 'Can't Take 'Em Seriously!' - Fitz

“All of them are rooting for the Lions, pretty much," Lewis said. "My mother-in law roots for me, my wife, and my mom. That’s probably about it. Everybody else is Detroit fans. They were Detroit fans before I was born, so I can’t be mad.”

For a game with huge playoff implications for both teams, the Cowboys will gladly appreciate Lewis' extra chip on his shoulder against his hometown club. ... an extra chip ... and one nice interception.