By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions may have taken a 31-7 loss to the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game, but if there was one undeniable win that night, it came in the form of rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein. The sixth-round pick out of Boise State left fans talking — and cheering — after a gutsy performance that turned heads and sparked hope.
A Silver Lining in a Rough Start
No one likes to start preseason with a blowout, but even as the scoreboard tilted against Detroit, Hassanein delivered a high-energy performance. Just before halftime, he made a textbook tackle on Chargers running back Nyheim Miller-Hines — and he didn’t just jog off after. He celebrated with the kind of raw fire you love to see in a newcomer.
“You can really see the high motor from Ahmed Hassanein,” tweeted @DetroitPodcast, echoing the sentiments of many.
Fan Favorite in the Making
Social media lit up after Hassanein’s tackle, with fans and analysts alike praising the rookie’s effort. @dlinevids1 shared a clip of the play, writing:
“Lions DL Ahmed Hassanein (@A_Hassanein91) squeezes/surfs his gap & makes the tackle! #StopTheRun #OnePride”
Another fan noted his relentless mindset:
“Ahmed Hassanein ended the first half with a great tackle… and was mad they were walking off. Dude wanted another shot. Grade A Football Psycho, and I’m here for it,” wrote @HeyJoeBaby.
You know you’ve made an impact when Lions beat reporter Dannie Rogers is asking fans to rate your celebration dance.
Emotional First Steps
For Hassanein, the night wasn’t just about numbers or hype — it was deeply personal.
“It’s a lot to learn from. It felt really good to be out there. It’s almost like a moment of disbelief for me. I cried at the beginning of the game just because I couldn’t believe someone like me has come so far,” he shared after the game.
As the first player of Egyptian heritage drafted into the NFL, Hassanein’s journey is bigger than football — it’s about representation, determination, and defying the odds.
What’s Next?
The Lions hit the field again on August 8 to face the Atlanta Falcons. Whether or not Hassanein cracks the regular rotation, fans will definitely be watching. His name is now in the mix — and if he keeps playing with this level of passion, it won’t be long before Detroit makes room for him on Sundays.
One thing’s for sure: the Lions may have lost the game, but they found a spark in Ahmed Hassanein.