Harley Edward Sewell is a former American football

American football

American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

 guard

Guard (American football)

In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....

 for the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...

 (1953–1962), the Los Angeles Rams (1963). He attended the University of Texas.

College career

At Texas Sewell was an outstanding linebacker, however the Lions drafted him as an offensive guard He was the Lions’ first round draft pick in 1953. Used in the role of pulling guard, Sewell "was noted for his extreme hustle" and speed in blocking. He later was referred to as "a 'hillbilly' kid".

Professional career

A member of the great Lion teams of the 1950s and early 60’s, Harley was the best draft choice for Detroit out of any choices in 1953. He moved immediately into the starting spot at right guard as a rookie, and would remain there for the next ten campaigns. A tireless worker, Harley was one of the toughest and most conditioned Lions of his era. He once said at the peak of his career that, "(I) never feel like I have a job cinched." While that attitude may have served to motivate him, his abilities were never questioned by either teammates or his coaches. "Harley has hustled for us every minute since he joined the Lions", said his former line coach Aldo Forte

Aldo Forte

Aldo John Forte was a guard and a offensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and the Green Bay Packers. Forte played collegiate ball at the University of Montana before being drafted into the NFL by the Chicago Bears in the 21st round of the...

.

The 6-foot-1, 230 pound Sewell was a complete guard. Equally skilled at either pass or run blocking. He was at his best when leading the running back on sweeps, inside traps and counter plays. Harley’s quick feet and acceleration, allowed him to clear out larger defenders before they had time to counter his attack. Sewell was also a standout on special teams throughout his career. A regular on the punting and kickoff teams, he was once credited with 85% of the team’s tackles on the kickoff unit one season. Harley was a four-time Pro Bowl nominee during his career, making the season-ending trip after the 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1962 campaigns. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame

The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...

in 2000.