Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 03:55 AM

Sewell was key part of Detroit's last NFL championship teams

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Harley Sewell, a Detroit Lions offensive lineman during the team's championship seasons of the 1950s, has died. He was 80.

The team said Monday that Sewell died Saturday after an extended illness. He played 10 seasons with the Lions and one with the Los Angeles Rams. He was a scout for the Rams for 37 seasons.

Detroit drafted Sewell in the first round out of Texas in 1953. He was a mainstay on the Lions when they won the 1953 and 1957 NFL championships. The team said he made the Pro Bowl from 1958-60 and in 1963, and was named to the Lions' 75th season All-Time Team in 2008 as a guard.

Funeral services were set for Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.