Josh Sweat

Josh Sweat's Biography

Born on the 29th of March, 1997, Josh Sweat entered the world in Chesapeake, Virginia where he grew up to be one of the most dominant American professional football linebackers. Known for his speed and strength, Sweat graced the turf as a key player for the renowned Philadelphia Eagles team, a part of the esteemed National Football League (NFL).

Before his blossoming career in pro-football, Josh attended Oscar F. Smith High School. There he explored his talent on the field, participating in numerous games with his teammate Andrew Brown. It was at this time that Josh began to pique the interests of football enthusiasts, demonstrating his capabilities on the playing field. Sweat meticulously recorded 94 tackles during his junior year and assisted Oscar Smith’s relentless strive towards the 2013 VHSL 6A state championship game. Unfortunately, their undefeated streak came to an end after a disappointing defeat of 35-6 at the hands of Centreville High School.

Sweat’s exceptional performance during off-season football camps added to his burgeoning reputation. His agility, skillset, and athleticism drew comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney, a name that resonated powerfully in American football circles.

Kicking off his senior year, ESPN named Josh as the top-rated prospect in the country. He did not disappoint, capturing 25 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in the first two games of the season alone. However, in his third game against Western Branch High School, disaster struck. Sweat suffered a dislocated knee and tore his ACL, putting a premature end to his season. Despite this setback, he valiantly underwent reconstructive surgery by the New York Giants team physician, Russell Warren, and managed to graduate from Oscar Smith in December 2014, all while preparing for an early college enrollment.

Despite the serious injury and consequent drop in ESPN’s ranking to No. 11, Sweat persevered and retained his five-star status. Choosing Florida State from a roster of prestigious offers, including Virginia Tech, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon, he went on to display his masterful football skills in college games.

Between 2015 and 2017, Sweat appeared in a number of games as a freshman, sophomore, and junior at Florida State. During this period, his game statistics included over a hundred tackles, a dozen sacks, substantial passes defended, and several fumble recoveries. In early 2018, he decided to forego his senior year to take the next step in his budding career, entering the 2018 NFL draft.

In the subsequent NFL Combine, Sweat ranked first among defensive linemen in terms of speed and agility, as gauged through the 40-yard dash and vertical jump. He was subsequently drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round as the 130th overall pick—the pick was attained by the Eagles through a trade that involved Sam Bradford being sent to the Minnesota Vikings.

After a spell of injuries that put him on reserve during 2018 and 2020, Josh had a successful season in 2020 and played 14 games, impressing fans and critics alike with six sacks, 38 tackles, and three forced fumbles.

In September 2021, Sweat was offered a lucrative three-year, $40 million extension from the Eagles. His talent was further recognized later that year when he clinched a spot in his first Pro Bowl, replacing the injured Nick Bosa. Tragically, health concerns caused Sweat to miss a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, necessitating an emergency operation.

Come 2022, Sweat marked a season of noteworthy performance. He recorded 48 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, and 1 touchdown and played an instrumental role in getting the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII. Although the team suffered a close 38-35 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sweat ended the Super Bowl with a solid contribution of one tackle.