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Allen Park, Mich. — One of the greatest offensive linemen in Lions’ history, Harley Sewell, died on Saturday, December 17 after an extended illness. He was 80.
 
Sewell was drafted by the Lions as a first-round (13th overall) pick out of the University of Texas in 1953. His professional football career spanned 48 seasons. He played 10 seasons with the Lions, one with the Los Angeles Rams and was a scout for 37 seasons with the Rams.
 
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Sewell, known during his time as “a ‘hillbilly’ kid”, was a mainstay in the middle of the Lions offensive line that claimed the 1953 and 1957 World Championships. Sewell was known for his extreme hustle and was incredible as a pulling guard. He had the speed to get out in front making big blocks, as well as protecting quarterbacks like Bobby Layne and Tobin Rote, Earl Morrall, Jim Ninowski and Milt Plum. He teamed with fellow guard John Gordy to become perhaps the best tandem of guards during their time in the NFL. Sewell and Gordy were voted the guards on the Lions’ 75th Season All-Time Team in 2008.
 
The physical left guard was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1958-60 and 1963), and during his career he led the way for two different running backs (Doak Walker and Nick Pietrosante) to earn Pro Bowl nods. Early in Sewell’s career, he helped the Lions produce some of the franchise’s most productive offenses through his blocking in the run game and protection in the passing game.
 
In 1954, the Lions accumulated 369.4 total yards per game, fourth in team history, and 235.4 passing yards per game, which ranks sixth in the team record book. In 1956, the Lions relied on their ground attack chewing up 167.6 rushing yards per game, which still ranks seventh all-time in team history, and they garnered 350.5 total offensive yards per game that still ranks seventh all-time.
 
In 1960 and 1961, he paved the way for running back Nick Pietrosante to set team records in single-season rushing in back to back years. In 1960, Pietrosante ran for 872 yards and 8 touchdowns and 841 yards and five touchdowns in 1961. Pietrosante’s 8 rushing touchdowns in 1960 tied Dutch Clark’s then-team record for single-season rushing touchdowns.
 
In Sewell’s final year (1962), the Lions finished 11-3 and were second in the NFC Western division to the Green Bay Packers, the eventual world champions. 11 wins rank second all-time for the most wins in team history. Overall, Sewell played 120 games for the Lions in his 10 seasons. Sewell was one of many native Texans to star for the Lions in the 1950s. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
 
Sewell is survived by his brother, Delmer and wife, Sondra; son, James "Jim"; daughter, Janet Bradham and husband, Bruce; son, Nathan and wife, Rozlyn; grandchildren, Lauren, Carolyn, Adam, Erin and Parker; and great-granddaughter, Claire. He was proceeded in death by his parents; brothers, George, Gene and Kirby; sister, Naomi; and wife of 52 years, Jean.
 
Visitation will take place at the Arlington Funeral Home (1221 East Division Street, Arlington, TX 76011) on Tuesday, December 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
 
Funeral services will be held at the Arlington Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday,  December 21 at 2 p.m. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery (2301 North Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76111).
 
Donations may be made in memory of Harley Sewell to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.