Listen up, because what Ahmed Hassanein did after his first sack in Preseason Week 1 against the Bengals wasn’t just impressive, it was a pure, unadulterated shot of what Dan Campbell calls “GRIT.” Yeah, the dude had two sacks on the night, which is huge, but it’s what happened *after* that first highlight play that truly showed his fire. This isn’t just about making a big play, it’s about what you do when the spotlight moves, and Hassanein proved he’s built different.
McLaughlin Found Work, Gill-Howard Refused to Stop
First up, let’s talk about Seth McLaughlin. This dude was a technician out there. He punched that 1-technique to his right, right on cue, but kept his head on a swivel, scanning left for any stunt or blitz coming his way. Once his right guard, Miles Frazier, locked up his block, McLaughlin was free. No blitzers popped into his gap, so what did he do? He went looking for work! He saw left guard Christian Mahogany battling the 3-technique and absolutely blasted over with a nasty shot to the ribs. That’s the kind of relentless, selfless effort that cleans up blocks and keeps the play alive. That’s the foundation Campbell talks about.
Then there’s Skyler Gill-Howard. Man, this former linebacker showed off everything you want in a player: instincts, athleticism, and pure passion for the game. On a third-and-5 in the fourth quarter, he got held up as Bengals quarterback Josh Johnson scrambled out of the pocket. Most guys, especially in a preseason game, would just stop. Held call, QB out, whatever. Not Gill-Howard. He refused to stop chasing Johnson. That sheer persistence and non-stop pursuit allowed him to track Johnson down, forcing Cincinnati to settle for a field goal instead of a potential touchdown. Dan Campbell himself called it one of his favorite plays from the game, and you know how much that means coming from Coach!
Hassanein’s Grit After the Glory
Now, back to Ahmed Hassanein. Yeah, the two sacks were big, but the real story, the one that makes you jump out of your seat, was what he did *after* the first one. After that sack, he let loose an authentic celebration, pure emotion pouring out after his impassioned journey back to the field following last season’s injury. It would have been so easy for a young player to get caught up in that moment, to lose a little focus. But Hassanein, raw and relatively new to football as he is, didn’t let it distract him for a second. The very next play, the Bengals ran a screen pass to his side. Did he hesitate? Nope. He adjusted immediately from his vertical pass rush, took a strong pursuit angle, and got in on the third-down stop. The sack was the highlight, sure. But that relentless response, that immediate reset and attack on the next play? That, my friends, is pure GRIT. It’s the sign of a player who’s truly back and ready to make a serious impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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