Ahmed Hassanein: From Egypt to the Detroit Lions Pick #196
A Journey Of Determination & Passion: The Egyptian Warrior Is Now A Lion!
The Early Days
Ahmed was born in the United States but moved to Egypt with his mother at the age of six, leaving behind his mother and older brother, Cory. Growing up in Egypt, Ahmed faced significant challenges, including a language barrier, as he only spoke English while everyone around him spoke Arabic. Over the next ten years, he learned Arabic and immersed himself in Egyptian culture, but he struggled with his identity and communication.
Despite these challenges, Ahmed found solace in sports. He participated in various activities, including CrossFit, jiu-jitsu, judo, ping pong, soccer, and basketball. His agility in CrossFit was more than just talent, Ahmed ranked among the top ten in Africa and was number one in Egypt. However, he still had no exposure to American football during this time.
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