Sammie Hill hits the big time

The blaring music provided a raucous symphony, like rolling thunder across the plain.

Massive images flashed across gigantic video screens. Tens of thousands of people milled inside the monolithic stadium.

And on the field stood Lions rookie defensive tackle Sammie Hill. He was taking it all in for the first time in Saturday’s exhibition opener against Atlanta at Ford Field.

But it wasn’t only the first time Hill played in an NFL game. It also was the first time he attended an NFL game. Oh, yeah, and he started.

“Everything,” Hill said with a big smile when asked what impressed him the most Saturday. “It wasn’t just one thing for me because I’m not used to it. Every specific thing we can go through: being in the locker room, coming out on the field, just being in front of all the fans. I’d never seen that many fans somewhere I was playing. I was amazed and kind of felt good just being able to be in that situation.”

Hill, 22, grew up in West Blocton, Ala., a small town of six stop signs and about 1,400 people and a 3-hour car ride from Atlanta. Yet he never made the trek to watch the Falcons or any other NFL game.

“Never,” he said. “I was either playing football or doing something like this (in training camp).”

At tiny Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Hill bulldozed opponents at 9,000-seat Stillman Stadium. That’s a far cry from 65,000-seat Ford Field, which could hold the entire population of West Blocton nearly 50 times over.

“When I first got out there, it was amazing,” Hill said. “It’s the best feeling in the world. First NFL game, especially for me coming from where I come from, that was a big step.”

Before the game, Hill sought out fellow defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis for advice.

“He asked me how was my first game.” Alama-Francis said. “I told him it’s something you won’t forget. The main thing is you’re going to have a lot of excitement. You’re going to feel butterflies, all those things, but the thing is you just try to stay calm and think about what you’ve got to do technique-wise and knowing the defense. That’s the first thing. And just go. Just go.”

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