Penei Sewell

Penei Sewell (born October 9, 2000) is an American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, where he won the Outland and Morris trophies in 2019.

Sewell opted out of his junior season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being selected seventh overall by the Lions in the 2021 NFL draft. A native of American Samoa, he and his family moved to Utah in 2012. He is the older brother of NFL player Noah Sewell.

Early life
Sewell was born on October 9, 2000, in Malaeimi, a village in American Samoa near the capital of Pago Pago. As a child, he began playing American football alongside his three brothers after his father Gabriel became a coach of the sport. Seeing the potential for his children to make it to the National Football League (NFL), Gabriel moved his family to St. George, Utah in 2012. There, Sewell attended and played football at Desert Hills High School. As a senior in 2018, he played in the US Army All-American and Polynesian Bowls before committing to the University of Oregon to play college football for the Oregon Ducks.

College career
Sewell became an immediate starter during his freshman year for the Ducks in 2018, starting seven games but missing six due to a high ankle sprain. He returned in 2019 and won the Morris Trophy and Outland Trophy. In addition, he and former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were selected as co-recipients of the 2019 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and declared for the 2021 NFL draft.

Professional career
Regarded as one of the best overall prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, Sewell was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Lions. He tested positive for COVID-19 in May 2021 and had to sit out of minicamp. He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $24.1 million, the same month. As a rookie, he appeared and started in 16 games, only being inactive for the regular season finale. He was named to the 2021 Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team.

In Week 14 of the 2022 season, Sewell had a nine-yard reception late in the fourth quarter to give the Lions a crucial first down in the 34–23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In the 2022 season, he started all 17 games and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. In 2023, Sewell was selected to his second Pro Bowl and first First-team All-Pro, and played in the NFC Championship with the Lions, where they lost 34–31.

On April 24, 2024, Sewell signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension with the Lions, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season.

Personal life
Sewell has three brothers: Gabriel, Nephi, and Noah. Gabriel is a linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks in the United Football League, Nephi is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, and Noah is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears. The brothers are nephews of former NFL players Isaac Sopoaga and Richard Brown.