'Explain my ink' will be an occasional series where Detroit Lions players discuss their favorite tattoos and what those tattoos mean to them. This is the second in the series.

Previous Explain My Ink: Left guard Rob Sims.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Darius Slay had a moment of clarity in the tattoo shop the first time he went in as a teenager seven years ago.

Slay was about to become a father and he wanted a way to remember his son with every step he took, every day of his life. So his first tattoo became his most important one, with his kid’s name -- Darion -- written down his right calf.

Many people will tattoo their children’s names on their chest or arms. Their legs? Not a typical spot, but where Slay decided to honor his son.

“Just because I look down at my leg all the time when I put on my shoes,” Slay said. “Just know I have a responsibility to look after, just something that I can look down, look forward to.

“That’s probably the hardest one to miss, on your leg. I make sure I put my shoes on every day so I make sure I look down there.”

Slay received the tattoo in his hometown of Brunswick, Georgia, from a tattoo artist he didn’t know in a shop he doesn’t recall. He just walked in when he found out he was going to be a father and said “I need this tattoo.”

So he got it.

Right now, Darion’s name is the only thing tattooed on either one of his legs. He’s hoping one day that will change. Slay wants to put all of his future children’s names on his legs so he can remember who he is playing for and why they motivate him.

And that will be the only thing he ever tattoos on his legs -- although he’s hoping he eventually has “ a little troop.”

“All my babies are going to be down there,” Slay said. “All on my legs. They are all going on my leg.

“This is why I make my money.”