Entering his third season, Penei Sewell is blending his talent with finding his voice as a leader for the Detroit Lions.
Through two seasons, Penei Sewell has become one of the best right tackles in the NFL. And at just 22 years old (he'll turn 23 in October), he's a long-term building block for the Detroit Lions. The first of what's sure to be many Pro Bowl selections came last season.
Now entering his third season, Sewell is ready to step into a prominent leadership role for the Lions. He said he became more vocal as last season went on, particularly during Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Via SI.com, Sewell said quarterback Jared Goff encouraged him to outwardly embrace a role as a leader.
"As the season went along, I felt like my body was trying to say something and I didn't know whether it was to myself, whether it was to a specific person or whether it was to the whole team," Sewell explained. "Actually, one of my teammates came up to me and was like, 'You've got to talk.' It was actually Jared (Goff). I just kind of stepped into that role and let my heart speak and ran from there." "
Penei Sewell ready to mesh high-level talent with a significant leadership role for the Lions
Via Tim Twentyman of the Lions' website, Sewell established the roots of where he'll find his place and voice as a leader.
"I think it definitely starts in the locker room," Sewell said of finding his voice. "That's where we spend the most of our time with each other and get away from football and actually learn about the human being across from you that you're going to war with. I think it starts there.""
Sewell played every offensive snap for the Lions last season, and per Twentyman he allowed just two sacks and six quarterback hits along the way as a key cog in keeping Goff remarkably clean.
Sewell can lead by pure example, based on the way he works, the expectations he has for himself and his high level of play. But he's ready to pair that with being a vocal leader for the Lions, which can only be a good thing.