Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein smiles while talking with the media after the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) stretches during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) stretches during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) walks off the field after the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) speaks with the media after the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein smiles while talking with the media after the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) 鈥 Ahmed Hassanein remembers the days of learning how to play football in his half-brother鈥檚 small kitchen in California.
The 6-foot-2, 267-pound former Boise State defensive end, who was the first Egyptian last month by Detroit, created a new memory Friday by taking snaps at the Lions rookie minicamp.
鈥淚鈥檓 just so grateful, so honored to be here,鈥 Hassanein said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like doesn鈥檛 feel real. It鈥檚 like I don鈥檛 want to leave the field. I love it. The coaching, my teammates, just the competitiveness, it鈥檚 been great. And I鈥檓 just looking forward to tomorrow and just take it day by day.鈥
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Hassanein, who was selected in the sixth round with the 196th pick, said one of the biggest moments he’s had since arriving at minicamp was meeting coach Dan Campbell. When he was drafted, an exuberant Hassanein proclaimed, 鈥 I would die for that guy. I would run through a wall for him like I ran through a wall for Coach D (Boise State coach Spencer Danielson).鈥
As he came out to the practice field, the two finally met and shook hands.
鈥淚t kind of feels unreal,鈥 he said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 an awesome guy. I鈥檓 just looking forward to learn from him off the field and on the field.鈥
It is hoped that Hassanein will help fill the edge rusher hole that the Lions have opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
鈥淚鈥檒l say about Ahmed is he鈥檚 relentless,鈥 Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew said Friday. 鈥淗e plays the game the way we like to play. He plays it hard. He鈥檚 a second-effort rusher. He can win with hands as a rusher. ... And I think when (defensive line ) coach (Kacy) Rodgers get his hands on him to coach him up, the kid鈥檚 going to be a good player for us. So we鈥檙e excited about him.鈥
To live up to the Lions’ hopes, Hassanein knows he has a lot of work ahead of him and is ready for the challenge.
鈥淚 look for hardships,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to get better at stuff. I want to because I don鈥檛 want to take the easy way out. I want to earn everything. I don鈥檛 want nothing to be given to me.”
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Hassanein, who moved to California in 2018 from Cairo, Egypt, said he has been surprised by the outpouring of attention that he’s been receiving from Egyptians.
鈥淢an, it鈥檚 being the first Egyptian you鈥檙e talking about culture and teams,鈥 he said. 鈥淧eople look out to me. I get texts all the time that people just want to be like me, inspired to be like me. I鈥檓 just so grateful and so honored that Jesus pulled me in this position. I mean, I鈥檓 gonna give it all I got.鈥
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