Dominic Raiola: Lions drafting a center is like watching someone hit on your wife

Dominic Raiola has served as the Detroit Lions' starting center for the past 12 years, but may find himself fighting for a job in the near future. 

The 35-year-old, who is coming off the best season of his NFL career, couldn't help but feel somewhat betrayed as he watched the Lions select center Travis Swanson in the third round of the draft.

"Right when you see it, it's hard. I mean, you're human," Raiola said Friday, via Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. "That's been my position for 12 years. Imagine someone trying to hit on your girlfriend or your wife after dating her for 12 years.

"It's hard, but in our business, it's the reality of it."

The plan for Swanson, according to Lions offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn, is to groom him as Raiola's replacement. Though he's excited to work with the rookie, Raiola isn't ready to give up his spot.

"I'd like that position to be one that when you're with the Lions and you play center, it means something," Raiola said. "It means to be tough, it means to be durable, it means to be physical, and it means to be a guy they can count on, a guy that can lead the offense.

"At some point I'm going to have to hang them up. ... I'm happy for Travis, and I'm looking to his future."