Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson has revealed that the franchise is looking to give the whole city a boost after it filed for bankruptcy last month.

Detroit became the largest city in the US to suffer the fate when they filed for bankruptcy on July 18, due in no small part to a decline in the city's famous auto industry.

However, Burleson believes that the tough times that the city has fallen on makes it an even greater honour to play for the Lions and he hopes that they can lift the city with a good performance in the upcoming season.

"A lot of people might say, 'Man, it's tough playing in Detroit, man. You guys went bankrupt. Your city sucks. There's burned-down buildings, schools that are not even open.' But it's a great gift to bear that weight of the city, especially if you can deliver on a product that people want to see," Burleson told USA Today.

"It's not going to fix everything, but it's a Band-Aid that can temporarily heal a lot of open wounds that we have in this city."

The Lions, who finished last year with a disappointing 4-12 record, will start the 2013 season against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8.