Photo by: Rich Graessle
Sebastian Joseph-Day Awaits Time in NFL Spotlight
Feb 01 | Football
Rams rookie learning from group of All-Pro veterans
He had been to other media day events before. Interviews in front members of the print, TV and online world were nothing new for Sebastian Joseph-Day, who held court with the media countless times while at Rutgers and at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
But nothing could prepare him for Monday's event – Super Bowl LIII Opening Night in Atlanta.
"It's super exciting," said Joseph-Day with a huge smile. "First year, rookie year and I'm here at the Super Bowl."
Joseph-Day found himself in awe of the lights, cameras and excitement of over 1,000 media members swarming he and his fellow NFC Champion teammates. There was a writer dressed as a clown, another group dressed as members of a Mariachi band. Joseph-Day even made an appearance on the set of the hit Nickelodeon game show Double Dare.
In his rookie season, Joseph-Day has enjoyed some special moments in his first year unlike many NFL rookies, beginning with the Los Angeles Rams selecting him in the draft. Draft day is a special time for all players who have the chance to hear their name called, but April 28 had an added meaning for the Joseph-Day family.
"It was crazy getting that phone call," said Joseph-Day. "It's honestly an indescribable feeling. Especially for me, it hit home because it was my father's birthday and that really just touched me. Seeing the happiness and the joy it brought to all my family's faces was amazing. Any who goes through that is just blessed."
Getting to this point in his career has been a long road for Joseph-Day, filled with hard work and focus on perfecting his craft. The Rams present an ideal scenario to learn from a trio of veteran defensive linemen, including All-Pro selections Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.
"It's incredible, it's an amazing feeling," said Joseph-Day. "Each and every day I get to grow in some aspect of the game. Not many people can say they get to do that, a lot of rookies have to figure it out on their own. I'm blessed with the opportunity to pick those guy's brains and learn something new each and every day."
"Sebastian has been a good kid," said Suh. "I've enjoyed, to say the least, mentoring him a little bit. He's a hard-working young man and I'm very proud of him. I think he's going to have a lot of success in this league as long as he continues to keep his head down and focus on the things he needs to focus on."
His time at Rutgers has also been beneficial in preparing Joseph-Day for his pursuit of success in the National Football League. Having the right approach to the demands of the game both on and off the field has been integral to making an adjustment to the professional game.
"Rutgers prepared me for this opportunity in the way I prepare and go to work every day," said Joseph-Day. "Coach Ash, the way he upholds his program, you're going to grind and that's the way it is here. Only the strong survive, you have to be consistent and bring your best every day. [Rutgers] also prepared me in the aspect of being a man and handling my business. Making the right decisions off the field."
Although Joseph-Day is awaiting his regular season debut, his effort during training camp and in the preseason caught the eye of his head coach and earned him high praise.
In college, Joseph-Day spent a redshirt year learning and growing as a player and eventually went on to a standout Rutgers career. A rookie year on the sideline in the NFL could serve as a similar springboard to a successful professional career.
"I'm going to find different ways to keep on growing," said Joseph-Day. "Keep tapping the minds of Suh, [Aaron Donald], [Michael Brockers] even during the offseason. Those guys I can call my big brothers whenever I need something. Especially during training camp, they helped me out a lot."
But nothing could prepare him for Monday's event – Super Bowl LIII Opening Night in Atlanta.
"It's super exciting," said Joseph-Day with a huge smile. "First year, rookie year and I'm here at the Super Bowl."
Joseph-Day found himself in awe of the lights, cameras and excitement of over 1,000 media members swarming he and his fellow NFC Champion teammates. There was a writer dressed as a clown, another group dressed as members of a Mariachi band. Joseph-Day even made an appearance on the set of the hit Nickelodeon game show Double Dare.
In his rookie season, Joseph-Day has enjoyed some special moments in his first year unlike many NFL rookies, beginning with the Los Angeles Rams selecting him in the draft. Draft day is a special time for all players who have the chance to hear their name called, but April 28 had an added meaning for the Joseph-Day family."It was crazy getting that phone call," said Joseph-Day. "It's honestly an indescribable feeling. Especially for me, it hit home because it was my father's birthday and that really just touched me. Seeing the happiness and the joy it brought to all my family's faces was amazing. Any who goes through that is just blessed."
Getting to this point in his career has been a long road for Joseph-Day, filled with hard work and focus on perfecting his craft. The Rams present an ideal scenario to learn from a trio of veteran defensive linemen, including All-Pro selections Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.
"It's incredible, it's an amazing feeling," said Joseph-Day. "Each and every day I get to grow in some aspect of the game. Not many people can say they get to do that, a lot of rookies have to figure it out on their own. I'm blessed with the opportunity to pick those guy's brains and learn something new each and every day."
"Sebastian has been a good kid," said Suh. "I've enjoyed, to say the least, mentoring him a little bit. He's a hard-working young man and I'm very proud of him. I think he's going to have a lot of success in this league as long as he continues to keep his head down and focus on the things he needs to focus on."
His time at Rutgers has also been beneficial in preparing Joseph-Day for his pursuit of success in the National Football League. Having the right approach to the demands of the game both on and off the field has been integral to making an adjustment to the professional game.
"Rutgers prepared me for this opportunity in the way I prepare and go to work every day," said Joseph-Day. "Coach Ash, the way he upholds his program, you're going to grind and that's the way it is here. Only the strong survive, you have to be consistent and bring your best every day. [Rutgers] also prepared me in the aspect of being a man and handling my business. Making the right decisions off the field."
Although Joseph-Day is awaiting his regular season debut, his effort during training camp and in the preseason caught the eye of his head coach and earned him high praise.
"I've been really impressed with him," said Rams head coach Sean McVay. "Very coachable, got some versatility. Physical player, strong, good leverage, a guy that we have a lot of confidence in. He's put himself in position to get better and better. We're expecting some good things from him in the future."
In college, Joseph-Day spent a redshirt year learning and growing as a player and eventually went on to a standout Rutgers career. A rookie year on the sideline in the NFL could serve as a similar springboard to a successful professional career.
"I'm going to find different ways to keep on growing," said Joseph-Day. "Keep tapping the minds of Suh, [Aaron Donald], [Michael Brockers] even during the offseason. Those guys I can call my big brothers whenever I need something. Especially during training camp, they helped me out a lot."
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballRush Ends Coach Joe Woodley - 04/07/26
Tuesday, April 07
Defensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
