Noah Sewell is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a stellar college career at Oregon. But he is not the only Sewell in the NFL. In fact, he is one of four brothers who play professional football, including Penei Sewell, an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions.
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The Sewell family’s journey from American Samoa to Utah
Noah Sewell was born on April 26, 2002, in Malaeimi, a village on the island of American Samoa. He grew up playing football with his three older brothers: Gabriel, Nephi, and Penei. Their father, Gabriel Sr., was a high school football coach who saw the potential in his sons and decided to move the family to St. George, Utah, in 2012
There, the Sewell brothers attended Desert Hills High School before transferring to Orem High School in Orem, Utah. Noah excelled as a linebacker and a running back, earning the Utah Valley Football Player of the Year award as a senior in 2019. He was also a five-star recruit who received offers from many top college programs before choosing Oregon
The Sewell brothers’ success at Oregon and beyond
Noah followed in the footsteps of his brother Penei, who was already a star at Oregon. Penei was the first Polynesian, first sophomore offensive lineman, and first Oregon player to win the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best interior lineman in college football. He was also a unanimous first-team All-American and one of the best prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the seventh overall pick, making him the highest-drafted Samoan player in NFL history
Noah made an immediate impact as a freshman at Oregon in 2020. He was named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a second-team All-Pac-12 selection after leading the team with 45 tackles and adding two sacks and an interception. He continued to impress as a sophomore and a junior, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors both years and becoming a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award twice. He also became a two-time semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to the best linebacker in college football. He finished his college career with 215 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
Noah decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after his junior season, hoping to join his brothers in the league. He was projected as a third-round pick by some analysts, but he fell to the fifth round where he was picked by the Chicago Bears with the 148th overall selection. He said he was excited to play for the Bears and to face his brother Penei twice a year in the NFC North division.
Noah is not the only Sewell brother who plays in the NFL besides Penei. Nephi Sewell is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 after playing college football at Utah. Gabriel Sewell is also a linebacker who plays for the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL after playing college football at Nevada.
The Sewell brothers are an amazing example of how hard work, talent, and family support can lead to success in football and beyond.
