ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The path to the National Football League, a dream less than 1% of high school athletes will ever achieve, is different for every player, but a constant is having the unwavering support of family and friends along the way.
For Maryville resident and Seattle Seahawks starting center Jalen Sundell, the journey to Super Bowl 60 and the biggest game of his career was molded by the support of his family and the Spoofhound community.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementI'm super proud of where I come from, being from Maryville and having a football culture that I grew up in," the 26-year-old Sundell said. "It helped build me into who I am and get to where I am. I've gone through plenty challenges with injuries, didn't have a whole lot of college offers coming out of high school. I just needed a chance and I've tried to make the most of every opportunity given to me. I've had great support from people around me, my wife and my family. I wouldn't have been able to keep going without them."
Born in Maryville, Missouri, roughly 45 minutes north of St. Joseph, Jalen and his sister Serena, a high school and K-State basketball star now playing for the Adelaide Lightning in the Women's National Basketball League, grew up with a special bond only strengthened through their love for sports.
Seattle Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) celebrates with running back Kenneth Walker after Walker scored a touchdown during the NFC Championship game Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle.
"He's been someone I've always been able to look up too," Serena said. "His sport is something he takes very seriously, but he also has a lot of passions outside football and is humble. I'll talk to him and he wouldn't want talk to you about football first, he would bring up fishing or just talk about life. From the standpoint of him being my older brother, I've been able to see his work ethic and commitment. He's helped me be elite in my professional sport (basketball)."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJalen's journey to the NFL and the Pacific Northwest was first sparked by a conversation with Maryville High School head coach Matt Webb during the conclusion of his sophomore year of high school.
"He had a conversation with Coach Webb, who told him 'Jalen you could actually play college football if that's what you want to do,'" Bob Sundell, Jalen's father, said. "He took that to heart and that's when he took off. He really started working hard in the weight room and conditioning as his body continued to grow."
"I wasn't focused in high school on 'I'm gonna make it to the NFL if I do this.' It was always taking it one day at a time and doing it to the best of my ability. Focusing on the small things in front of you, stacking them underneath you can make the big moment happen," Jalen said.
From there, Sundell was given the chance to play college football at North Dakota State, where he red-shirted his freshman year. In his first year Jalen displayed versatility along the offensive line, taking snaps at right guard, left guard and left tackle.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat caught his coaches attention more than anything was his willingness to put the team in the best position to succeed.
"He was always up for a challenge. I could have put Jalen at any of the positions on the offensive line and he would have been just fine. Right before we went into the spring of 2021, we were having to play that COVID season. He moved to center for the first time outside of few practice reps where he was actually snapping the ball and making all the calls," North Dakota State offensive coordinator Dan Larson said. "I think it was a position he really gravitated towards. I think he liked having the responsibility of making calls on the line of scrimmage and communicating."
Despite facing injury related obstacles in the following years, Jalen continued making strides and put on a strong showing in his senior year that saw him start at center and switch to tackle to help the team.
Initially projected as a 5th or 6th round draft selection, Sundell went undrafted after the discovery of a recurring foot injury.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"With those medical issues everybody backed off and he went undrafted," Bob said. "After the draft, we sat around the house after our draft party. We were waiting for phone calls and finally something got worked out with Cleveland (Browns). We took a deep sigh of relief."
Jalen Sundell (61) practices snapping the ball to quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and Zack Charbonnet (26) before a regular season game against the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025.
A week after the draft, Jalen prepared for a 12-hour drive to Cleveland, Ohio, for a try out with the Cleveland Browns. Upon arriving in Cleveland and doing initial medical tests, the Browns decided to go in a different direction.
"They did some medicals on him and said 'Thanks, but no thanks, we're going to send you home,'" Bob said. "He got back in the car and drove home. At that point there were no other real offers or opportunities for him. So that summer, it was kind of a touch and go, and what do I do? And maybe football's not for me. We suggested, you know, why have you come this far? Maybe you just need to get healthy and see what happens in the fall."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFacing a crossroads in his NFL career, he was given his shot and eventually a new home with the Seattle Seahawks.
A year later, Seattle would temporarily become the home for both Sundells, as Serena was drafted with the 26th pick in the 3rd round of 2025 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm. Although it was short-lived, it was a special moment for the Sundell family.
"It was surreal to hear her get the call from Seattle. I was excited for both my kids to be in the same city and to be able to see both of them," Jalen and Serena's mother, Korena said. "I know it didn't work out for Serena, but the feeling at that moment was amazing."
With Jalen and the Seahawks preparing to play in Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, he will be making history as the first person born in Maryville to ever play in a Super Bowl. It's a historic opportunity that feels unreal to Korena.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"As soon as the game (NFC Championship) was over, I was crying. "We were kind of separated at that point, but it was surreal," Korena. "Realizing that we are actually going to have our kid play in the Super Bowl, it's surreal."
Regardless of the result, Jalen wants his story to inspire those with dreams of playing in professional sports to see it's possible but also focus on what his infront of you.
"It means a bunch to have so much support. I hope I can inspire kids from all over the Midwest from small schools who may feel unnoticed or overlooked that they can make it (in professional sports)," Jalen said. All it takes is a little opportunity and to your put your mind to it. You dream about it as a kid. But to say that it's actually going to happen as a kid, I don't know if I would have believed it.
Seattle Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Grey Zabel (76) get set during the NFC Championship game on Jan. 25 in Seattle.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
