ALLEN PARK — For Penei Sewell, it’s a long way from the beaches of American Samoa to becoming the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
The Detroit Lions right tackle, a two-time Pro Bowler, signed a four-year, $112 million extension last week.
“I just had a picture that I wanted to play in the NFL, that’s always been a dream of mine but to be where I am right now, it’s just surreal to me,’’ Sewell said at a Monday press conference. “I don’t think it’s hit. I cried just like draft day when I found out. It happened a lot sooner than I thought.’’
He said if he was still in Samoa he’d probably be a farmer.
“It’s a simple life out there, it’s beautiful but I always knew I wanted more,’’ said Sewell, a first-round pick out of Oregon in 2021.
As a kid he played football on the beach using a water bottle filled with sand and water.
“Thinking about all those times on the beach playing with my friends and cousins and how far I’ve truly come. I don’t like to think about it too much because I’m still trying to go places. It’s crazy, man. From not having a real football to playing in the League. I still don’t touch the football,’’ he said as an aside. “I’m very thankful for those moments because it truly built who I am today.’’
Sewell was wearing leis over his sweatshirt on Monday.
“Shoutout to Brad for this one, that’s my guy. He blessed me with the leis right before I got in here,’’ Sewell said. “That right there goes a long way from me, just those little gestures of him trying to understand where I’m from and understand the culture and know how much it meant to me.’’
Sewell, who is 23, sounds like a man who is at peace with his life in Detroit. He lives here in the offseason with his wife and daughter and could see it being his “forever home.”
One thing he’s not at peace with is the loss to San Francisco in the NFC Championship in January.
“Honestly, I’ve watched that game a lot. I let it burn because of how close we were,’’ said Sewell, estimating that he’s seen it 10 times.
He and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who also signed an extension last week, have talked about hoisting the Lombardi trophy. It’s a long way from American Samoa, but for Sewell it does not seem unrealistic after all he’s accomplished so far.
Lions Lowdown 