Lions LB relieved parents home from Israel safely

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone let out a huge sigh of relief that his parents have arrived back in the United States from Israel.

“Now, I’m happy,” he said with a smile after Thursday’s practice.

His parents were among about 50 people affiliated with a Naples, Florida-based church returning from Israel. Anzalone posted on social media Thursday morning that his parents were headed home, and his mother later posted that the group arrived safely.

Ahead of practice, he spoke to his mother on the phone when they landed as they were driving over from the Miami airport back to their home in Naples.

“They were close to kissing the ground when they got home,” Anzalone said.

Anzalone says “a lot” of weight is now lifted off his shoulders knowing that they’re back in America safely.

“You can probably imagine. I feel like yesterday was tough, especially when you hear stuff still escalating over there and you’re not sure if their flight’s canceled or what’s really going on,” Anzalone said. “What their Plan B is? What their Plan C is? So, I was on my phone all the time and in between periods at practice, just checking in, so yeah, it was tough.”

Sal and Judy Anzalone were in a Jerusalem hotel as Israel vowed an unprecedented offensive against Hamas after the Islamic militant group’s attack on the country Saturday. The war between Israel and Hamas has claimed at least 2,200 lives.

The Anzalones had been on vacation since the first week of October. Their trip centered on visiting biblical landmarks. Anzalone was still able to communicate with them via text, although there was a seven-hour time difference, but his parents were sure to keep all the details vague so they wouldn’t scare their children. On Saturday, the day before the Lions beat the Panthers, Anzalone first learned of the attacks, and all he was thinking about was his parents’ safety. Still, he went out and posted a game-high 11 tackles in the 42-24 victory as football became a form of therapy to keep his mind off of what might go wrong with them possibly being in harm’s way.

“There was really nothing else I could do other than keep in contact, pray and I knew they were going to make the right decisions to get home safely; it was just a matter of getting out,” Anzalone said. “I think they were good to be safe; it was just getting out.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week that he called Anzalone about his parents when he was informed of their plight Sunday night. Anzalone kept the news away from his team and vowed to handle the matters privately until he learned the full story of how dangerous things were.

“I really was unaware until after the game. That was the first time,” Campbell said Wednesday. “We went through the whole deal, and then I call him at night after the game; I didn’t even realize I’ve been in this cocoon. That’s a tough deal out there.”

The NFC North-leading Lions (4-1) play the NFC-South leading Buccaneers (3-1) on the road Sunday. Once the team arrives in Florida on Saturday, Anzalone will reunite with his parents to get the full story.

“The first thing I’m going to do is get a big hug, but next I’m going to ask is ‘what exactly happened?’ because I know they were hiding the truth,” Anzalone said. “I know they were in the bunker a few times in their hotel, but they only told me that when they knew for sure they were getting out, so I’m sure they’ll have some stories to tell.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.