“From High School to NFL Stardom: The Unbelievable Journey of Ray Seals Ends at 59”

In a world where the odds are often stacked against those who deviate from the traditional paths to success, Ray Seals carved out an extraordinary narrative that defied conventions. He recently passed away at the age of 59, leaving behind not just the legacy of his on-field achievements but an inspiring story of grit and determination. This former high school football standout from Henninger High School in Syracuse is perhaps best known for his remarkable ascent to the NFL without ever stepping foot on a college campus. Instead of following the expected route, Seals took up the challenge of early adulthood, stepping into the workforce to support his family after graduating in 1984. But he never relinquished his passion for football, eventually making waves in the semipro leagues that would lead to the once-unimaginable opportunity of playing in the NFL. His tale is one of raw talent, relentless ambition, and the sheer will to make a mark on the sport he loved, ultimately leading him to moments that would cement his place in NFL history, including a sack in Super Bowl XXX. Join us as we take a deeper look into the life and legacy of this remarkable athlete. LEARN MORE.

In 1994 Seals signed a free-agent contract with the Steelers, and he was a starter in Pittsburgh for two years, including the 1995 season when he started all 16 games in the regular season and all three games in the postseason, concluding in Super Bowl XXX, where the Steelers lost but Seals had a good game, including a sack of Troy Aikman.Seals played so well in semipro football that a football coach from the area began calling around to NFL teams to urge them to sign him as an undrafted free agent. The only NFL head coach who would listen was Ray Perkins of the Buccaneers, who had previously met Seals on a recruiting trip when Seals was in high school and Perkins was head coach at Alabama. Perkins agreed to give Seals a shot.In addition to that sack of Aikman, Seals is remembered for his role in the first completion — and first catch — of Brett Favre’s Green Bay Packers career: Favre threw a pass, Seals tipped it into the air, Favre caught it, and Seals tackled him behind the line of scrimmage.Garry Acchione, Seals’ teammate from their time in Syracuse, told Syracuse.com that the people who played with him always knew he had what it took to make it to the NFL.After missing the entire 1996 season with an injury, Seals signed with the Panthers in 1997 and played one more season, then signed with the Bengals in 1998 but never got on the field.

Seals was a star football player at Henninger High School in Syracuse, but he decided not to go to college and to start working after graduating high school in 1984 to help support his family. Seals didn’t quit playing football, however, joining a semipro team in Syracuse.But that’s what Seals did, going from semipro football to a sack in the Super Bowl, completing one of the most unique stories in NFL history.“We were all behind him. We were rooting for him like you couldn’t believe, to have that opportunity to make it,” Acchione said. “I never had a doubt in my mind that he was good enough to play in the NFL, I mean, we all knew it. It’s just, OK, how do you get him there? How does he get the opportunity? Because back then, I mean, he didn’t come out of college. You’re not going to just walk onto a pro team and make it.”The Buccaneers ended up signing Seals in 1988, although he didn’t play at all that year. In 1989 he played as a backup in two games and in 1990 he played as a backup in eight games, but in 1991 he earned a starting job and was a starter in Tampa Bay for three years.Ray Seals, who became notable for making it to the NFL without ever going to college, has died at the age of 59.