Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day once reviewed restaurants for a YouTube series and later served as co-host for boxer Mike Tyson’s podcast, a unique versatility that carries over to the football field.
A 6-foot-4, 310-pounder with a Super Bowl ring, Joseph-Day has played various positions across the defensive front, from nose tackle to end, in his seven-year career.
“It’s just me not letting myself get boxed in,” said Joseph-Day, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. “Just being able to adapt and taking pride in being that guy: ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll get it done.’ ”
Joseph-Day entered the NFL as a nose tackle next to Aaron Donald on the Rams, later played at defensive tackle for the Chargers and eventually moved to end when the Titans had a 366-pounder in the middle. He also had a one-year stint with the 49ers.
The Eastern Pennsylvania native turns 31 on Saturday. How the Steelers intend to use him remains between him and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
“Some of those conversations, I kind of just want to stick between him and I, what they want to do with me,” Joseph-Day said. “But I’m really excited to be teaming up with Patrick Graham and obviously an amazing front they have already. It’s going to be really exciting, man, the things that we’re going to do. I’m really pumped.
“It puts a smile on my face.”
Joseph-Day won a Super Bowl with the Rams and was a runner-up with the 49ers, both times playing a limited role in the championship game. But after going 6-28 combined in two seasons with the Titans, he wanted to join a winning team.
“I just want to win games again,” Joseph-Day said. “It’s been a little different two years for me. Nothing but love for Tennessee, (but) I went from winning so much … to kind of going on a little skid. I think it’s really been humbling because I got to see the duality of it.”
He signed a two-year, $11 million contract.
His arrival adds depth to a defensive line that brings back Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton as starters from last season. Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo also return.
On Monday, Joseph-Day visited the Steelers practice facility that the team shares with Pitt and noticed photos of Donald, his former teammate in Los Angeles. They played together on the Rams from 2019-21.
“As soon as I walked in the weight room, I took a photo because I’m sending it to him,” Joseph-Day said. “I’ll be, like, ‘I’m in your city now.’ Shout out to Aaron, man. Amazing football player, but even a better person. I’m super thankful for him because he helped me a lot earlier in my career.”
While living in Los Angeles, Joseph-Day hosted the online video series “Dine N Bash,” which was described as combining his passion for food and culture. Joseph-Day was a media studies major at Rutgers and said he hopes to find an on-air career after football.
His visits to Los Angeles-area restaurants led to another opportunity as co-host of “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson,” where he interviewed athletes and celebrities alongside the former heavyweight champ. The producer of Joseph-Day’s food-review series was also involved with Tyson’s podcast.
“Oh, it was hilarious,” Joseph-Day said. “It was a good time. You never knew what you were going to get. Uncle Mike is a great guy. Shout out to his wife, Kiki, and his beautiful family. It was really fun.”
