By Moses Joshua 
Lions star lineman voices frustration over another holiday spent away from family as Detroit prepares for rare Christmas road game
For Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, the holidays are usually about family, tradition, and togetherness. This year, however, those priorities are colliding head-on with the realities of life in the NFL.
As the Lions prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day as part of the league’s Netflix showcase, Sewell made it clear he isn’t thrilled about the timing—or the location—of the game. While he understands the responsibility that comes with being a professional athlete, that acceptance doesn’t erase the personal cost.
“I’m Not Happy”: Sewell Speaks Candidly
Sewell didn’t try to soften his feelings when asked about playing on Christmas, especially after Detroit had already hosted its annual Thanksgiving Day game earlier this season.
“I’m going to be brutally honest. I’m not happy,” Sewell told MLive on Thursday. “We already have Thanksgiving. We already play on Thanksgiving, and the fact that we have to play on Christmas (and) away, is something I wouldn’t want to do. So yeah, not fun, but it is what it is. It comes with the job. I’m going to do it.”
The three-time Pro Bowler’s comments reflect a rare moment of blunt honesty, offering fans a glimpse into how even marquee players feel when league scheduling cuts into family life.
A Unique Burden for Detroit
The Lions are no strangers to holiday football. Since 1934, Detroit—along with the Dallas Cowboys—has hosted a Thanksgiving Day game every single year. That tradition is deeply ingrained in the franchise’s identity and generally comes with a silver lining: early kickoff times that allow players to get home later that evening.
Christmas, however, is different.
Detroit’s matchup with Minnesota requires travel, hotel stays, and extended preparation, significantly reducing time with loved ones. For Sewell, who is married and has three young children, the challenge is especially personal.
While many teams occasionally draw a holiday game, the Lions are now asked to sacrifice both Thanksgiving and Christmas in the same season—an imbalance that Sewell subtly highlighted without directly criticizing the league.
The NFL’s Expanding Holiday Slate
Christmas Day games are a relatively recent addition to the NFL calendar. Since 2020, the league has leaned into the holiday as a showcase opportunity, and last season marked the beginning of a three-year deal with Netflix to stream exclusive matchups.
Last year’s Christmas slate featured the Chiefs vs. Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans. This season, the spotlight shifts to the Lions vs. Vikings and Cowboys vs. Commanders—once again placing Detroit front and center during the holidays.
From a business standpoint, the move makes sense. From a player’s perspective, especially for those on teams already committed to Thanksgiving football, the cost is harder to ignore.
History Isn’t on Detroit’s Side
The upcoming game also carries an eerie historical note. Next Thursday will mark just the third time the Lions have played on Christmas Day—and the first two didn’t end well.
Detroit lost 27–20 to the Miami Dolphins on the road in 1994 and fell 17–7 at home to the Denver Broncos in 1999 at the Pontiac Silverdome. Whether history repeats itself remains to be seen, but the stakes—both emotional and competitive—are undeniable.
Professionalism Despite the Frustration
Despite his dissatisfaction, Sewell made one thing clear: his commitment to the team isn’t wavering. His tone wasn’t defiant or resentful—it was honest, grounded, and professional.
That balance captures the essence of the moment. Players understand the business. They honor their contracts. They show up. But moments like this remind fans that behind the helmets are people juggling careers and family, tradition and obligation.
For Sewell and the Lions, Christmas Day won’t look like it does for most households. Instead of gifts and gatherings, it will be pads, film, and a division rivalry under the national spotlight.
Not ideal—but, as Sewell put it, “it comes with the job.”