Former Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein, on April 26, 2025, etched his name into NFL history as the first Egyptian ever to be drafted into the league.
Selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round with the 196th overall pick, the day held even more significance: Just a few moments after receiving the draft call from the Lions, he proposed to his girlfriend, Payson, in a heartfelt surprise that makes the celebration even more memorable.
Boise State DE Becomes First Egyptian NFL Draftee, Celebrates with Surprise Engagement
Hassanein’s draft day was nothing short of monumental. The Detroit Lions selected the 6’2”, 267-pound defensive end in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, recognizing his potential despite his unconventional path to the sport.
Having only started playing football in 2019, Hassanein overcame many obstacles, including a lack of prior exposure to the game, language barriers, and a late start. Despite all these hurdles, he became a standout at Boise State, where he had a total of 24 sacks and 33 tackles for loss through his college time.
Shortly after the lions’ called Hassanein, the excitement escalated even further as he turned the day into a personal triumph. Dressed in a striking black-and-white pinstriped suit, he dropped to one knee before family and friends, presenting a diamond engagement ring to his girlfriend, Payson.
This emotional moment was shared widely by Boise State on social media, telling how important the moments are to the team at large.
What Hassanein Brings to the Detroit Lions
With his physical profile, standing at 6’2”, 267 pounds, he fits well into the team’s defensive scheme, where he can leverage his power and relentless ability to overpower opponents.
Despite his relatively brief six-year football experience, his college production, including 97 pressures over his last two seasons, proved he is a player ready to contribute immensely to the team’s development.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
As the first Egyptian draftee, he destroys assumptions about where football talent can emerge, more importantly inspiring athletes from untapped regions. His pride in this role is clear:
“That’s a huge honor to me and a huge honor to my country,” he said, noting that NFL Africa recently began following him on social media. His achievement could further spark greater interest in football within Egypt, where the sport is yet to be rooted.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
