If you were wondering how Detroit Lions players feel about suiting up on Christmas Day, Penei Sewell made it pretty clear this week that he’s not exactly thrilled.
The Lions have already done their holiday duty this season by playing on Thanksgiving, a tradition the franchise has carried since 1934. That game, a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers, came with real consequences in the NFC North race. Now, less than a month later, Detroit is being asked to do it all over again — this time on Christmas Day, on the road, against the Minnesota Vikings.
And Sewell didn’t sugarcoat his feelings.
“I’m going to be brutally honest. I’m not happy,” Sewell said as quoted by MLive. “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.”
That quote pretty much sums up the situation. Sewell understands the business. He knows what he signed up for. But that doesn’t mean he has to like it.
Thanksgiving Is One Thing — Christmas Is Another
For decades, the Lions (along with the Cowboys) have carried the burden and tradition of hosting a Thanksgiving Day game every year. While that does cut into family time, those games are usually played early in the afternoon, giving players at least a chance to get home later that night.
Christmas is different.
This year’s matchup against the Vikings will be part of the NFL’s growing Christmas Day slate, streamed on Netflix, and it requires travel, hotel stays, and a full game-week routine, all on a day most players would rather spend at home.
That hits especially close to home for Sewell, who is married and has three young children. Instead of waking up for presents and family time, he’ll be focused on film study, meetings, and a division rivalry game that could have major playoff implications.
Professional, But Honest
At the end of the day, Sewell will do what he always does: show up, play hard, and anchor the offensive line at an elite level. But his honesty struck a chord because it’s real. Players are human. They have families. And not every “prime-time opportunity” feels like a privilege when it pulls you away from moments you don’t get back.
The NFL may love Christmas football. Penei Sewell? Not so much.
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