Penei Sewell facts for kids
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Sewell with the Detroit Lions in 2022
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| No. 58 – Detroit Lions | |||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | October 9, 2000 Malaeimi, American Samoa |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 335 lb (152 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Desert Hills (St. George, Utah) | ||||
| College: | Oregon (2018–2020) | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024 | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Penei Sewell (/pɛnˈneɪ/ PEN-nay; born October 9, 2000) is a talented American Samoan professional football player. He plays as an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Oregon Ducks. There, he won important awards like the Outland and Morris trophies in 2019.
The Lions picked Penei as the seventh overall player in the 2021 NFL draft. Since then, he has been chosen for the Pro Bowl multiple times (2022-2024). He was also named a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and 2024. Penei is the older brother of Noah Sewell, who is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
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Growing Up: Penei Sewell's Early Life
Penei Sewell was born on October 9, 2000, in Malaeimi, a village in American Samoa. This village is close to the capital city of Pago Pago. When he was a child, Penei started playing American football with his three brothers. Their father, Gabriel, coached the sport.
Gabriel saw that his children had a chance to play in the National Football League (NFL). So, in 2012, he moved his family to St. George, Utah. In Utah, Penei went to Desert Hills High School and played football there. In 2018, during his senior year, he played in two special games: the US Army All-American and Polynesian Bowls. After high school, he decided to play college football for the Oregon Ducks at the University of Oregon.
College Football Journey at Oregon
Becoming a Starter and Winning Awards
Penei Sewell quickly became a key player for the Oregon Ducks. In his first year (2018), he started seven games. However, he missed six games because of a high ankle sprain.
He came back strong in 2019. That year, he won both the Morris Trophy and the Outland Trophy. These awards recognize the best linemen in college football. Penei also shared the 2019 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award with Tua Tagovailoa, a famous quarterback.
Opting Out and Heading to the NFL
Penei decided not to play in the 2020 season. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, he announced he would enter the 2021 NFL draft.
Professional Career with the Detroit Lions
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+7⁄8 in (1.95 m) |
331 lb (150 kg) |
33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m) |
10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) |
5.09 s | 1.79 s | 2.97 s | 4.68 s | 7.76 s | 28.0 in (0.71 m) |
9 ft 1 in (2.77 m) |
30 reps | |
| All values from Pro Day | ||||||||||||
Joining the NFL: The 2021 Draft
Many experts thought Penei Sewell was one of the best players available in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions chose him as the seventh player overall. This was a big moment for him.
In May 2021, Penei tested positive for COVID-19. This meant he had to miss his first minicamp with the Lions. Later that month, he signed his first professional contract. It was a four-year deal worth $24.1 million.
Rookie Season and Early Success
As a rookie in 2021, Penei played and started in 16 games. He only missed the last game of the regular season. His strong performance earned him a spot on the 2021 Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team.
In 2022, Penei continued to shine. In Week 14, he made a key play against the Minnesota Vikings. He caught a nine-yard pass late in the game, helping the Lions get a crucial first down. The Lions won that game 34–23. He started all 17 games that season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Becoming an All-Pro Player
In 2023, Penei was selected for his second Pro Bowl. He also earned his first First-team All-Pro honor. This means he was recognized as one of the best players at his position in the entire NFL. That year, he helped the Lions reach the NFC Championship game. They played a tough game but lost 34–31.
On April 24, 2024, Penei Sewell signed a new contract with the Lions. It was a four-year extension worth $112 million. This new deal keeps him with the team until the 2029 season.
Family Life and Football Connections
Penei Sewell comes from a family of football players. He has three brothers: Gabriel, Nephi, and Noah. All of them are professional football linebackers.
- Gabriel plays for the Houston Roughnecks in the United Football League.
- Nephi plays for the New Orleans Saints.
- Noah plays for the Chicago Bears.
The Sewell brothers are also nephews of former NFL players Isaac Sopoaga and Richard Brown.
