Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN’s NFL Nation team. In his current role, which he assumed in April 2021, he provides Lions-centric news and analysis across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms.

Woodyard initially joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region. He has appeared on ESPN’s The Jump, E:60 and Outside the Lines.

Over the years, Woodyard has developed solid relationships with countless athletes and entertainers, and he has interviewed megastars such as Mike Tyson, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, J. Cole, Ice Cube and Master P to name a few.

Prior to ESPN, Woodyard worked as a digital sports reporter covering the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News (2017-19) and the lead sports writer for MLive.com-The Flint Journal (2011-17).

Woodyard was awarded first place for Best Sports Story and Best Sports Feature categories in 2012 and 2015 by the Michigan Associated Press. In 2017, the Utah Idaho Spokane Associated Press Association awarded him with first place for the best Spot Sports Story, and his Karl Malone profile earned him top honors for sports enterprise at the 2019 Top of the Rockies contest. He is also the author of three books: Wasted, Ethan’s Talent Search and All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story.

A native of Flint, Mich., Woodyard graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. In 2013, he distributed his “Flint Made Me” scholarship to help assist the city’s youth in his hometown. Woodyard is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.