Photo by: Adam Obirek
Sebastian Joseph-Day: Finishing the Job
May 26 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Super Bowl champion Sebastian Joseph-Day knows what it takes to be successful, and Rutgers has been a big part of that. A sixth-round pick, he is in his ninth NFL season and balanced the demands of playing at the highest level while recently completing his master's degree.
Joseph-Day was back on campus last week at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations graduation ceremony. A double graduate after previously earning his undergraduate degree in journalism and media studies, he now holds a master's degree in labor relations. For someone who understands the value of hard work and being in the trenches as a defensive lineman, this was not an easy process, but something Joseph-Day committed to two years ago after originally starting the master's degree in his final year at Rutgers.
"It was really important for me to complete my master's degree because I truly believe that I had to finish what I started," Joseph-Day said. "First and foremost, Rutgers provided me with such an awesome opportunity to play the game I love and get a great education. I felt like I would be doing myself a misjustice; not only to me, but to kids that are in my position that have the opportunity to start their master's because they did everything they had to do to graduate.
"I truly feel like the game of football has been such a blessing, it has opened so many doors and opportunities. Why not take full advantage of what the game provides? And the game of football eventually somehow comes to an end, whether it's on our terms or not. I feel like one thing that someone can't take away is wisdom, the education. That will always project you to success."
The demands of NFL players are high year-round, but Joseph-Day was fully invested in completing his master's. That included many late nights after long days at the practice facility reading essays, writing papers, listening to lectures and more.
"It was definitely a grind, but the game of football is so eerily similar," he said. "What you put in is what you get out. It was hard but totally worth it. I have to give a huge shoutout to my family, they were amazing. These courses really changed my perspective, changed my trajectory of what I want to do especially when I'm done playing. It was a challenge, but so rewarding."
Inside Jersey Mike's Arena, Joseph-Day had a chance to embrace the achievement with classmates and more importantly, family.
"Having my wife, two kids and whole family there was truly a blessing," he said. "Being back it kind of shows you the fruition of the work as well. It was an honor and it was super nostalgic, super crazy to come back going into my ninth year in the NFL. It was amazing my kids got to see that. I think that will be a core memory for them. It meant a lot."
A Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, native, Joseph-Day played in 50 games for the Scarlet Knights from 2013-17, including 49 consecutive to end his college career. He was part of RU's first Big Ten season in 2014 that ended with a bowl championship, became a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and split the Homer Hazel Award as the team's most valuable player as a senior. That led to the being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Joseph-Day had an opportunity as a rookie to learn from All-Pros Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh on the way to a Super Bowl LIII appearance. Three years later, the Rams made it back to the game's biggest stage and beat the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, as Joseph-Day became the 15th player from Rutgers to earn a Super Bowl ring. The success continued, as Joseph-Day teamed up with fellow Scarlet Knight Logan Ryan with the 49ers to take on another RU alumnus in Isiah Pacheco in Super Bowl LVIII. He recently signed a two-year contract with the Steelers this offseason.
"I'm super excited," he said about 2026. "The Steelers have a winning tradition and it's a blessing to be part of the organization. It's going to be real fun. I'm a vet now and trying to continue to be the best version of myself and stack on another great year."
Overall, Joseph-Day, also a two-time captain with the Los Angeles Chargers, has outperformed the expectations of a sixth-round pick by having played in over 100 NFL games and still going. The lessons learned at Rutgers have played a big role in that success, on and off the field.
"Rutgers has impacted my life tremendously," Joseph-Day said. "That blue collar work ethic has always been instilled me and it was a big reason I went to Rutgers. It still transfers to this day. It takes discipline, dedication, perseverance and hard work. Rutgers represents determination, grit and toughness, finishing the job. At the same time, it represents knowledge and intelligence. Rutgers is a great representative of everything that you want your child to have and to be prepared for the real world. It prepared me tremendously on and off the football field. I'm proud to be an alumnus."
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Joseph-Day was back on campus last week at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations graduation ceremony. A double graduate after previously earning his undergraduate degree in journalism and media studies, he now holds a master's degree in labor relations. For someone who understands the value of hard work and being in the trenches as a defensive lineman, this was not an easy process, but something Joseph-Day committed to two years ago after originally starting the master's degree in his final year at Rutgers.
"It was really important for me to complete my master's degree because I truly believe that I had to finish what I started," Joseph-Day said. "First and foremost, Rutgers provided me with such an awesome opportunity to play the game I love and get a great education. I felt like I would be doing myself a misjustice; not only to me, but to kids that are in my position that have the opportunity to start their master's because they did everything they had to do to graduate.
"I truly feel like the game of football has been such a blessing, it has opened so many doors and opportunities. Why not take full advantage of what the game provides? And the game of football eventually somehow comes to an end, whether it's on our terms or not. I feel like one thing that someone can't take away is wisdom, the education. That will always project you to success."
The demands of NFL players are high year-round, but Joseph-Day was fully invested in completing his master's. That included many late nights after long days at the practice facility reading essays, writing papers, listening to lectures and more.
"It was definitely a grind, but the game of football is so eerily similar," he said. "What you put in is what you get out. It was hard but totally worth it. I have to give a huge shoutout to my family, they were amazing. These courses really changed my perspective, changed my trajectory of what I want to do especially when I'm done playing. It was a challenge, but so rewarding."
Inside Jersey Mike's Arena, Joseph-Day had a chance to embrace the achievement with classmates and more importantly, family.
"Having my wife, two kids and whole family there was truly a blessing," he said. "Being back it kind of shows you the fruition of the work as well. It was an honor and it was super nostalgic, super crazy to come back going into my ninth year in the NFL. It was amazing my kids got to see that. I think that will be a core memory for them. It meant a lot."
A Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, native, Joseph-Day played in 50 games for the Scarlet Knights from 2013-17, including 49 consecutive to end his college career. He was part of RU's first Big Ten season in 2014 that ended with a bowl championship, became a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and split the Homer Hazel Award as the team's most valuable player as a senior. That led to the being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Joseph-Day had an opportunity as a rookie to learn from All-Pros Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh on the way to a Super Bowl LIII appearance. Three years later, the Rams made it back to the game's biggest stage and beat the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, as Joseph-Day became the 15th player from Rutgers to earn a Super Bowl ring. The success continued, as Joseph-Day teamed up with fellow Scarlet Knight Logan Ryan with the 49ers to take on another RU alumnus in Isiah Pacheco in Super Bowl LVIII. He recently signed a two-year contract with the Steelers this offseason.
"I'm super excited," he said about 2026. "The Steelers have a winning tradition and it's a blessing to be part of the organization. It's going to be real fun. I'm a vet now and trying to continue to be the best version of myself and stack on another great year."
Overall, Joseph-Day, also a two-time captain with the Los Angeles Chargers, has outperformed the expectations of a sixth-round pick by having played in over 100 NFL games and still going. The lessons learned at Rutgers have played a big role in that success, on and off the field.
"Rutgers has impacted my life tremendously," Joseph-Day said. "That blue collar work ethic has always been instilled me and it was a big reason I went to Rutgers. It still transfers to this day. It takes discipline, dedication, perseverance and hard work. Rutgers represents determination, grit and toughness, finishing the job. At the same time, it represents knowledge and intelligence. Rutgers is a great representative of everything that you want your child to have and to be prepared for the real world. It prepared me tremendously on and off the football field. I'm proud to be an alumnus."
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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