Rams DE Josiah Stewart Clarifies Viral Sibling Story, Shares Insight on Upbringing

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Josiah Stewart has addressed a viral social media narrative that claimed he has 18 siblings, with whom he grew up in a large, chaotic household. Stewart confirmed he does have 18 siblings, but clarified that they are from both his mother's and father's sides of the family and that he did not grow up with all of them under one roof.

Stewart, who was born in the Bronx, explained that his father had several children from a previous marriage, many of whom are significantly older than him. Around the age of 10, Stewart moved to Massachusetts, where he was raised primarily by his mother and sisters. He recalled growing up in a household with his mother and five sisters, making him essentially the only boy.

This upbringing, Stewart said, had a profound impact on his development. "You learn a lot growing up with women," he told the California Post in an exclusive interview. "Just being in tune with your emotions, feeling for other people and kind of getting a real sense of compassion and whatnot."

Stewart's journey to professional football was unconventional. He gravitated towards street basketball in his youth due to its accessibility. He did not begin playing organized football until his freshman year of high school at Everett High School in Massachusetts, where he played alongside future NFL players Mike Sainristil, Isaiah Likely, and Lewis Cine.

After a junior season that saw him record seven sacks and a fumble recovery, his senior year was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rated as a three-star recruit, Stewart committed to Coastal Carolina University. His older siblings, who had become more involved in his life by then, supported his college career. He later transferred to Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines win a national championship in 2023.

Stewart was selected by the Rams in the third round of the NFL draft following the 2024 season. In his rookie year, he recorded three sacks, six quarterback hits, and 22 tackles.

While his large family has yet to attend a home game at SoFi Stadium, Stewart mentioned that many of them, residing on the East Coast, plan to attend some away games this season, potentially including the Week 4 matchup in Philadelphia. Stewart suggested that these gatherings might offer opportunities to discuss the viral social media stories and the reality of his upbringing.