Detroit Lions Offensive Lineman Penei Sewell Named Polynesian Pro Football Player Of The Year Presented By Hawaiian Airlines

Honolulu, HI (January 8, 2025) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today that Detroit Lions OL, Penei Sewell has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines.

Sewell, of Samoan descent, was a first-round pick by the Lions in the 2021 NFL draft. Penei has started all 17 games for the Lions, and is making his third straight Pro Bowl appearance after allowing 0 sacks throughout the regular season. Penei’s contributions have been instrumental in the Lions 2024 season, helping them achieve a 15-2 record, the NFC North Division Title and the top seed in the NFC. Penei is a 2018 Polynesian Bowl All-Star and was also named 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.

“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate Penei on a remarkable season,” said Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman Jesse Sapolu. “He stands as a true source of pride for the Polynesian community.”

Mike Iupati was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in 2015; Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota received the award in 2016; Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster received the award in 2017 & 2018; Baltimore Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley received the award in 2019; Indianapolis Colts DL DeForest Buckner received the award in 2021; San Francisco 49ers S Talanoa Hufanga in 2022; and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa won the award in 2022 and 2023.

 

The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 18, 2025), along with being recognized during the 2025 Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).

The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award was voted on by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, former ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.  

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 47 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is a premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation’s top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.