French Football Frenzy

Never one to turn down a challenge, Sean Boswell (BS ’18) kept his football fire burning longer than he ever expected.

By Reggie Hayes
Photography provided by Sean Boswell

Sean Boswell prepared to let go of playing football a few times over the last eight years, but football kept refusing to let go of Boswell.

As a result, Boswell compiled one of the longest professional outdoor football careers of any University of Saint Francis alumnus. It’s likely the only Saint Francis alumnus to cover more professional game-day ground was indoor football legend Jeremy Dutcher (BS ’00).

Boswell was a sure-handed receiver for the Cougars’ talent-heavy NAIA champion teams of 2016 and 2017, one of the favorite targets of record-setting quarterback Nick Ferrer. Yet when the dust of those years settled, when pro football turned loose even spectacular receiver Seth Coate in the CFL, Boswell kept lacing up his cleats, pulling on his helmet, running routes and catching the football.

Boswell played three different stints with the Catalan Grizzlys in Perpignan, France, helping the team to rise to the top level in the European league. He finally retired—although he doesn’t rule out coaching—after the 2025 season.

“We didn’t win the whole thing, but we made the semis and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything,” Boswell said. “I had such great relationships with not only the French guys but multiple teammates from different countries in Europe. Even though it wasn’t really that much time (playing professionally), it feels like a big chunk of my life.”

Boswell always cultivated a burning desire to keep playing after college while understanding the NFL wasn’t likely an option. While a middle school player, he knew a cousin who had gone on to play in Germany. Then he saw a former teammate at Saint Francis, Taylor Brown, go on to play in Germany. “I was having a successful college career, but I knew what I was and I knew my limitations,” Boswell said. “I just asked Taylor how he ended up doing it and he kind of set me up with a database to market myself.”

Boswell received an offer from a team in Germany right after college but turned it down due to an ankle injury suffered his senior season. In late 2018, the Catalan team contacted him, and he was on his way for the 2019 season—a season that resulted in a championship.

“That first year I grew a lot,” he said. “I wasn’t making a great amount of money, but I grew as a man, and I was able to experience a different culture in a different part of the world. I loved it and they treated me very well.”

Boswell returned in 2020, eager to help the Grizzlys as they moved up a notch in the pro league. Then, COVID-19 hit. Boswell had taken a trip to Dublin for fun before the start of the season. Air travel to the United States was grounded. He took a flight to France shortly before those borders were closed. He and a few teammates settled in a house outside of Perpignan. “It was just me and my teammates, kind of like being in college,” he said. “We played three games and they canceled the season.”

Boswell, now back in his hometown of Indianapolis, worked with athletes at a training facility. In late 2021, Catalan called again. Would Boswell come back? He went back, had a great season and played in front of a full stadium. He had fulfilled his pro football fix. “After the season, I came back and thought, ‘I guess it’s time to be a big boy and get a real job and all that,’” Boswell said.

He landed a position as a strength and conditioning coach at Franklin Central High School. He enjoyed his “big boy” life.

Another phone call in late 2024. You guessed it. Catalan. “I thought, ‘Man, it’s been over for two years now.’” He was hesitant to go abroad because of a tight relationship with his now fiancée Emma. They offered to fly her out too, setting up a place for both. “We lived on the beach; it was crazy,” Boswell said. He had another great year. The team played well.

Finally, his football career ended last summer. Over his career in France, he caught 47 touchdown passes with 4,463 offensive yards (passing, running, receiving). Now he’s back at Franklin Central, officially retired from pro football. “When I left after this year, I said, ‘If you’re calling me again, you’re calling me to coach. I’m not playing.’”

They haven’t called him to coach. Yet.