Detroit Lions’ Sixth-Round Pick Ahmed Hassanein Makes History as First Egyptian Player Ever to Reach the NFL Stage
The 2025 NFL Draft will be remembered for many reasons—top quarterbacks going early, big trades shaking up the board, and the usual flurry of speculation and analysis—but for the Detroit Lions, and perhaps more importantly for an entire nation across the Atlantic, the draft marked a milestone unlike any other. With the 191st overall pick in the sixth round, the Lions selected Ahmed Hassanein, an edge rusher out of Rice University, who now holds the historic distinction of being the first Egyptian-born player to ever make it to the National Football League.
In a sport dominated by American-born athletes, where even international representation is often limited to Canada, Germany, and the UK, Hassanein’s entry into the league is seismic. For Egypt, a country far more focused on soccer than gridiron football, this moment transcends sports. It is cultural, symbolic, and profoundly inspirational. And for Detroit, it’s another example of general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell seeing something special—something beyond stats and pedigree—that can change the course of a team and, in this case, maybe even inspire a continent.
Born in Cairo in 2001, Hassanein grew up playing soccer, like most Egyptian children. He only discovered American football after moving to the United States with his family at age 12. Initially drawn to the sport because of its physicality and strategic complexity, Hassanein started out as a raw but powerful defensive end in youth football. Coaches immediately noticed his explosiveness off the line and his fearlessness in tackling. His background in soccer helped with footwork, but it was his relentlessness and willingness to learn that propelled him up the ranks.
By high school, he was already being recruited by smaller college programs. A three-star recruit, he committed to Rice University in Houston—a program not known for producing NFL talent but one that gave him the structure and opportunity to develop both as a student and an athlete. At Rice, Hassanein flourished. Over four seasons, he posted solid numbers—19.5 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. But it wasn’t just the numbers that made scouts take notice. It was the way he played: high motor, disruptive at the line, and vocal as a leader both on and off the field.
What also set him apart was his journey. Hassanein never forgot where he came from. Throughout his college career, he spoke often about his pride in being Egyptian and his desire to pave the way for more international players. He returned to Cairo several times during offseasons, conducting youth clinics and working with local sports organizations to introduce American football to Egyptian youth. To those who knew him best, the NFL was always part of his dream—but not just for himself. He wanted to open the door for others.
When draft weekend rolled around, Hassanein wasn’t expected to go early. Though he’d impressed at his pro day—running a 4.68 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, with a 35-inch vertical—he was still seen as a developmental prospect. The kind of player who might end up as an undrafted free agent, fighting for a roster spot in the summer. But Detroit had other ideas. The Lions had met with Hassanein at the East-West Shrine Bowl and came away impressed not just by his physical tools but by his maturity, humility, and hunger. When their sixth-round pick came around, they didn’t hesitate.
Social media in Egypt exploded within minutes of the selection. “Ahmed Hassanein” trended nationally, and Egyptian TV networks interrupted programming to cover the story. Egyptian sports minister Ashraf Sobhi even issued a public statement congratulating Hassanein and declaring the moment a proud day for Egyptian sports. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo also chimed in with a congratulatory post. This wasn’t just a draft pick—it was a moment of national pride.
In the days that followed, Hassanein remained remarkably grounded. “I’m just grateful,” he said in his first press conference with Detroit. “Grateful to the Lions for believing in me, and grateful to my family and country for supporting me every step of the way. I know I’m just getting started, and I’m ready to earn everything that comes next.” He added, “To any kid back in Cairo or Alexandria or anywhere in Egypt who’s dreaming big—this is for you. Keep pushing.”
For the Lions, Hassanein represents more than a feel-good story. The team has built a reputation under Campbell for identifying gritty, overlooked players with something to prove—Malcolm Rodriguez, James Houston, and Kerby Joseph come to mind. Hassanein fits that mold. He’s not just a culture fit; he’s a high-upside athlete who could develop into a rotational edge rusher or even a starter in time. With Aidan Hutchinson drawing double teams and veteran leaders like Marcus Davenport mentoring younger players, Hassanein has the perfect environment to grow.
Detroit fans, known for their blue-collar pride and loyalty to underdogs, have already embraced Hassanein. Lions message boards and social media threads are filled with encouragement, memes, and even Egyptian flag emojis celebrating his arrival. If he makes the 53-man roster, he’ll be a fan favorite. If he becomes a contributor on defense, he could become a local legend.
It’s also worth noting the broader significance of Hassanein’s breakthrough. The NFL has long sought to globalize its brand, holding games in London, Mexico City, and now Germany. Programs like the International Player Pathway (IPP) have aimed to bring foreign talent into the league, though with limited success. While Hassanein came through traditional American channels, his story could ignite interest in the sport across the Middle East and North Africa—a region previously untouched by the NFL’s expansion efforts.
Already, Egyptian youth leagues and clubs are seeing a surge in inquiries. Cairo’s American football community, though small, is growing fast. The dream of one day seeing an NFL game played in Egypt might still be far-fetched, but with Hassanein’s rise, it suddenly feels less impossible.
The Lions, for their part, are treating Hassanein like any other rookie: expectations high, no handouts, and everything earned. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has already praised his coachability and athleticism, noting that while he’s raw in some areas, his ability to absorb complex schemes is ahead of schedule. “He asks smart questions, stays late to watch film, and practices like he’s got something to prove,” Glenn said. “That’s the kind of guy we want in this locker room.”
Back in Egypt, a generation is now watching. For every aspiring athlete who once saw the NFL as a distant, unattainable dream, Ahmed Hassanein has made the impossible real. He’s living proof that borders are not barriers, and that determination, heart, and hard work can take you from Cairo’s dusty fields to the biggest football stage in the world.
It’s too early to say what Hassanein’s NFL career will ultimately look like. Sixth-round picks don’t always make rosters, and even fewer become stars. But some do. And for Ahmed Hassanein, just getting this far has already changed the narrative. He’s not just a pioneer for Egypt—he’s a symbol of football’s evolving future, one where talent finds a way, no matter where it begins.
In the end, this is the kind of story that gives sports its meaning. It’s about more than sacks, snaps, and statistics. It’s about hope. It’s about breaking new ground. And it’s about a young man who dared to dream—and just took the first step toward making that dream a legacy.
