Ahmed Hassanein Makes History: Detroit Lions’ Sixth-Round Pick Becomes First Egyptian Player Ever Drafted to the NFL

When the Detroit Lions made their sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t just another pick—it was a moment that made history. With the 197th overall pick, the Lions selected Ahmed Hassanein, an athletic, hard-nosed defensive lineman whose journey to the NFL was as improbable as it was inspiring. In doing so, Hassanein became the first Egyptian-born player ever drafted into the National Football League, breaking barriers and setting a new standard for what is possible.

But beyond the historical significance, it was Hassanein’s emotional message to head coach Dan Campbell that instantly captured hearts across the football world.

“I would die for you, coach. I just want you to believe in me,” Hassanein reportedly told Campbell during his first conversation after being drafted. “I would die on that field for you. I promise I would.”

For a coach known for his blue-collar toughness and raw emotional authenticity, it was the perfect introduction. And for the Lions organization—and football fans around the globe—it marked the beginning of what could be one of the most compelling stories of the NFL’s new generation.

Ahmed Hassanein’s path to the NFL wasn’t paved with the usual high school championships or five-star recruit ratings. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Hassanein grew up in a country where soccer dominated every aspect of sports culture. American football was a foreign concept, tucked away in the background of satellite TV broadcasts and internet streams.

But even as a young boy, Hassanein was captivated by the sport’s violence, strategy, and heart.

“I didn’t even have a real football until I was about 14,” Hassanein once said in an interview with a Cairo sports publication. “We would make one out of old socks or bags, whatever we could find.”

As he got older, Hassanein’s passion for the game only grew. Eventually, his family made the difficult decision to send him to the United States for high school, hoping he could chase the crazy dream he couldn’t shake.

He arrived in Texas—a place where high school football is practically a religion—with limited English, no formal training, and a relentless drive to learn.

“I didn’t understand the playbook at first,” Hassanein recalled. “So I would just watch and imitate. I would stay up late with YouTube tutorials and film.”

Slowly but surely, he developed into a dominant defensive presence, earning a scholarship to a mid-major FBS program where he continued to blossom. By his senior year, Hassanein had racked up 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and a reputation for being one of the hardest workers in the country.

Still, there were doubters. There were concerns about his polish, his background, and his ability to adjust to the speed of the NFL.

But there was no doubting his heart.

And no one values heart more than Dan Campbell.

Sources inside the Lions’ draft room say Campbell and General Manager Brad Holmes were visibly emotional when they placed the call to Hassanein to inform him he had been drafted.

When Hassanein answered, he was already crying.

Then he made his promise—the promise that has since gone viral.

“I would die for you, coach. I just want you to believe in me. I would die on that field for you. I promise I would.”

Campbell, never one to hide his emotions, responded with equal passion.

“You don’t have to die for us, man,” Campbell said, according to team sources. “You just need to fight. We believe in you already. Now it’s time to go to work.”

It was a moment emblematic of what the Detroit Lions are building—a culture of grit, loyalty, and belief.

And in Ahmed Hassanein, they found the perfect embodiment of that spirit.

The significance of Hassanein’s draft selection reverberated far beyond Allen Park, Michigan.

In Cairo, news outlets broke into scheduled programming to announce the pick. Egyptian social media exploded with pride. The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports even issued an official congratulatory statement within hours of the draft.

“This is a historic moment for Egyptian athletes and a proud day for our country,” the statement read. “Ahmed Hassanein’s dedication and perseverance have opened a new door of opportunity for young Egyptians everywhere.”

Across the Middle East, Hassanein’s name began trending as fans marveled at his achievement.

“I cried when I saw the news,” said Kareem El-Sayed, a football coach at Cairo’s American School. “Ahmed is living proof that no dream is too big.”

Despite the emotional draft moment and the historic headlines, Hassanein knows the real work is just beginning.

The NFL is a brutal meritocracy, and late-round picks are never guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster. Hassanein will have to earn his place through hard work, consistency, and the relentless energy he promised Campbell.

Early scouting reports from Detroit’s rookie minicamp were encouraging. Coaches noted Hassanein’s explosive first step, violent hands, and nonstop motor. Though he remains raw in some technical aspects, the Lions believe he can contribute immediately on special teams and develop into a rotational defensive lineman.

“He’s just a ball of energy,” one Lions coach said. “He’s gonna make guys better just by the way he practices.”

Veteran Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill has already taken Hassanein under his wing, offering guidance and mentorship.

“He reminds me of myself when I came into the league,” McNeill said. “Hungry. Eager. You can’t teach that.”

Beyond the Xs and Os, beyond even the stats and game tape, Ahmed Hassanein represents hope.

Hope for kids in Cairo who dream of something bigger than themselves.

Hope for immigrants who come to America chasing a dream that seems impossible.

Hope for anyone who has ever been told they didn’t belong.

At a time when the world sometimes feels divided, Hassanein’s story is a reminder of the universal language of ambition, hard work, and belief.

He doesn’t just play football; he plays for everybody who never gave up.

And that’s a powerful thing.

The Lions enter the 2025 season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. After a thrilling 2024 playoff run, they are considered one of the NFC’s elite teams.

For Hassanein, this is both a blessing and a challenge. The roster is deep, and competition for playing time will be fierce.

But if history is any guide, betting against Ahmed Hassanein is a losing proposition.

He’s already overcome longer odds than almost anyone in the league.

And if he can deliver on even a fraction of the promise he showed on draft day, he won’t just make the Lions roster—he’ll become a fan favorite and a global ambassador for the NFL.

“We didn’t just draft a player,” Campbell said. “We drafted a fighter. A Lion. And we’re damn proud to have him.”

In the grand tapestry of the NFL, it’s easy to get caught up in stats, contracts, and highlight reels. But every so often, a story comes along that cuts deeper.

Ahmed Hassanein’s story is one of unwavering belief—in himself, in his dream, and now, in a team that believes in him too.

“I would die for you, coach,” he said.

Maybe he won’t have to.

Maybe he’ll just live out the dream he’s been fighting for his entire life—and in doing so, inspire millions of others to chase theirs.