Tag: Penei Sewell

Detroit Lions RT Penei Sewell has found a ‘forever’ home

Signed 4-year, $112 million contract extension

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.

Detroit Lions draft Giovanni Manu, a Polynesian offensive tackle inspired by Penei Sewell

ALLEN PARK — It’s possible the Lions could have found another Penei Sewell type player when they moved up in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft to select offensive lineman Giovanni Manu. He’s the first player drafted in the NFL from the University of British Columbia.

Manu, who is 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, was considered one of the more interesting draft prospects since he has never played football in the United States.

He was born and raised in Tonga which is a short plane ride away from Samoa, the home of Sewell.

“I look up to Penei a lot, I do study a lot of his film. I do think he’s the best tackle in the league right now,’’ Manu said on a conference call on Saturday. “He moves so fluid for how big he is. He’s an inspiration to the Polynesian community.’’

Manu said he watched Sewell’s draft process and remembers him saying that any Polynesian kids who want to make it to the NFL can do so if they put their minds to it.

“I was in my second year of college when he said that and I remember that it really motivated me,’’ Manu said. “I told myself if one of my Polynesian brothers can make it there’s no reason I can’t do it either. He’s a true inspiration to Samoa and the whole Polynesian community. It (will be) great to play with a guy to soak up as much information and technique from him.’’

Manu moved to British Columbia from Tonga, where he played rugby, when he was 11 to get a better education and have a better chance at a good life.

He was introduced to football via a two-minute highlight reel of Ray Lewis at work and started playing in 10th grade. 

His impressive Pro Day included a 4.96 40-yard dash and a 33.5-inch vertical. He made a visit to the Lions and was impressed with GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.

“I loved my visit overall and I remember leaving and telling myself I felt at home here and I would not mind at all if these guys took a chance on me and I’m happy to be here now,’’ Manu said.

He played mostly left tackle in college but said he’d be happy to play wherever the Lions needed him the most.

“I think discovering American football has been the greatest blessing in my life and I love the sport,’’ Manu said.

Six picks later the Lions drafted running back Sione Vaki from Utah. (Stay tuned for more.)

Lions right tackle Penei Sewell continues to impress Dan Campbell

Third-year starter says he wants it all

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has left zero doubt about how he feels about right tackle Penei Sewell.

“Look, I can’t say enough great things about Sewell I mean he’s – there’s a reason why he was the first pick we had two years ago because we wanted to build around a guy like him. He’s our foundation,’’ Campbell said on Friday. 

OK, those are big words. But he wasn’t done.

“He’s one of those pillars that we talk about. But I mean he is something else. He’s a man on a mission. I feel like we’re a team on a mission, but he is a man on a mission and you talk about being wired right, a guy that comes in every day, puts in the work and he’s got so much ability, but he’s got the right attitude too and I think that’s what makes him dangerous if you’re the opponent, so he’s right where he needs to be,’’ Campbell said. 

 On the first day in pads Friday, Sewell continued his stellar play. 

When told about Campbell’s complimentary words, he said: “I set high goals for me, I have high expectations for myself. He knows that, the team knows that and I just try to work at that each and every day,’’ Sewell said. “Everyone knows the everyday battles of coming out here putting the pads on, putting the helmet on, but you’ve got to put that behind you because there’s a bigger purpose than myself which is the team.’’

It’s sometimes said in the NFL the biggest “ability” is availability. Sewell is good there too. He hasn’t missed a start in his first two seasons with the Lions playing 16 games in 2021 and 17 games in 2022. Last season he even caught a touchdown pass.

Sewell was one of four Lions on offense to be named to the Pro Bowl last season and is considered one of the top right tackles in the NFL.

He’s been on an upward trajectory since he was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) in 2021 out of Oregon.

“The moment I got that call to come into this building. I knew that I got to bring myself into this building knowing I’m something different. And believe that God blessed me with different gifts than anybody else,’’ Sewell said.

It wasn’t easy at first, like any rookie he had to make the adjustment to the NFL.

“There were definitely training wheels without a doubt. … For the most part when it comes to the team aspect I feel like I fit in with the group of guys here. There was some training wheels with techniquewise and everyday consistency,’’ Sewell said.

At training camp this year expectations are high for the Lions who finished last season 9-8 and out of the playoffs.

“I want it all man, nothing less. I don’t want to give you guys specifics, that’s between me and the man in the mirror,’’ Sewell said. “I want it all. Individual teamwise, familywise — I want it all.’’

And that’s just one more reason Campbell loves having Sewell on the roster.

“If he loses, it bothers him bad, and that’s what you want. You want a guy who believes that there’s no way he should lose any rep, no matter who he’s playing and – so he’s shown up, he’s in shape, he’s lean, he’s mean and I’m glad he’s ours,’’ Campbell said.