For Josiah Bronson, Football Runs In The Family
September 10, 2019 | Football
By Jack Larkin
In 2009, then 12-year-old Josiah Bronson traveled with his entire family to Husky Stadium for every home game. The Bronson's always went to support Josiah's brother, Demitrius, who suited up for the Huskies at running back in 2009. Josiah cheered and watched with excitement as his brother competed for the Huskies.
Ten years later, the entire Bronson family is still traveling to the UW home games, now to watch Josiah play.
Though Josiah loved the Huskies from watching his brother play in Seattle, he never expected to end up at UW, or play football for that matter.
"I was a basketball player at first," he said. "Basketball was my first love until I stopped growing. I'm not 6-9 or 6-10 so I decided, I need to pick up a helmet and some cleats!"
Something about watching his two brothers play college and professional football really won Bronson over from basketball. The two have served as influential role models throughout Josiah's childhood and his football career.
"Watching my older brothers, they were real role models for me in football," said Bronson. "So they were a big part of the reason I wanted to play."
The Kent, Washington product has been lining up on the defensive side of the ball since his sophomore year of high school, the opposite side of brothers, Demitrius and John (who played tight end). But it wasn't always that way.
"I actually played tight end my freshman year of high school," said Bronson. "That was pretty fun because I got to run away and run over everybody."
It didn't take long for Bronson to realize offense wasn't his calling like it was for his brothers.
"But I always actually liked the dark side," said Bronson. "I like hitting people. My coach said that I would be a good defensive lineman, so I got moved there for my sophomore year. And then I just fell in love with it. Hitting guys, chasing quarterbacks, and I've been here since."
Even though Bronson hasn't always followed in his brothers' footsteps, his family has been incredibly important to him since day one.
He began his collegiate career at Temple University on scholarship in 2015 but suffered an injury during camp that kept him off the field his freshman year. Ultimately, Bronson found that the fit wasn't quite right.
"When I was at Temple, it was a different program," said Bronson.
Following his stint at Temple, Bronson came back west. He transferred to the University of Washington prior to the 2017 season. He didn't see action because of transfer rules but became a steady contributor the following season.
"Here, it's like home," said Bronson. "Coming here, it was an easy move. It feels great to be home. It's good to be home because I get to play in front of my family and friends here. A couple of us guys played against each other in high school, so it's really great to be back."
Being closer to home means a lot more for Bronson than just the comfort of a familiar place. He values the experiences he creates for his family, who came out to summer practices and the season opener against Eastern Washington in which he recorded a sack.
"I really cherish those moments," said Bronson. "When my whole family is coming out, I think it is really cool because there are a lot of guys who wish their families could come out to Washington all the time to watch them play. So I really cherish that and think that it is an extra motivation. When I look up and see them in the stands while I'm on the sideline, I remember that I'm doing this for them."
Bronson is no stranger to support from his family. For years, he was the supporter.
John played collegiate football at Penn State before playing in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. Demitrius played running back first for UW and then Eastern Washington. He then signed with Seattle Seahawks and finished his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. But sister, Leitawsha, might be the most athletic of all the Bronsons.
"She's the beast out of this family," said Bronson. "She was on a dual scholarship over at Morgan State University. She competed in track and field and basketball."
Bronson is no stranger to athletic success. And it's clear being around successful athletes has shaped his attitude at UW. Bronson isn't focused on the individual statistics or minutes played.
"Whatever the team needs," said Bronson.
And when he says whatever the team needs, he means it.
"Really, if Coach Petersen needs me to kick off or be a returner, I'll do it," said Bronson with a laugh. "That's really my goal, is to do whatever our team needs. Anything and everything because I want our team to win a championship."
After a successful debut season as a Husky in 2018 where he had 11 tackles and a sack in 12 appearances, Bronson is ready to pick up right where he left off.
"I'm just excited to see our team come together and catch a lot of eyes," he said. "I'm excited to get further into the season and see all our work from this summer and early fall pay off.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity from Coach Petersen and from Husky nation and I'm ready to rock and roll this year."
In 2009, then 12-year-old Josiah Bronson traveled with his entire family to Husky Stadium for every home game. The Bronson's always went to support Josiah's brother, Demitrius, who suited up for the Huskies at running back in 2009. Josiah cheered and watched with excitement as his brother competed for the Huskies.
Ten years later, the entire Bronson family is still traveling to the UW home games, now to watch Josiah play.
Though Josiah loved the Huskies from watching his brother play in Seattle, he never expected to end up at UW, or play football for that matter.
"I was a basketball player at first," he said. "Basketball was my first love until I stopped growing. I'm not 6-9 or 6-10 so I decided, I need to pick up a helmet and some cleats!"
Something about watching his two brothers play college and professional football really won Bronson over from basketball. The two have served as influential role models throughout Josiah's childhood and his football career.
"Watching my older brothers, they were real role models for me in football," said Bronson. "So they were a big part of the reason I wanted to play."
The Kent, Washington product has been lining up on the defensive side of the ball since his sophomore year of high school, the opposite side of brothers, Demitrius and John (who played tight end). But it wasn't always that way.
"I actually played tight end my freshman year of high school," said Bronson. "That was pretty fun because I got to run away and run over everybody."
It didn't take long for Bronson to realize offense wasn't his calling like it was for his brothers.
"But I always actually liked the dark side," said Bronson. "I like hitting people. My coach said that I would be a good defensive lineman, so I got moved there for my sophomore year. And then I just fell in love with it. Hitting guys, chasing quarterbacks, and I've been here since."
Even though Bronson hasn't always followed in his brothers' footsteps, his family has been incredibly important to him since day one.
He began his collegiate career at Temple University on scholarship in 2015 but suffered an injury during camp that kept him off the field his freshman year. Ultimately, Bronson found that the fit wasn't quite right.
"When I was at Temple, it was a different program," said Bronson.
Following his stint at Temple, Bronson came back west. He transferred to the University of Washington prior to the 2017 season. He didn't see action because of transfer rules but became a steady contributor the following season.
"Here, it's like home," said Bronson. "Coming here, it was an easy move. It feels great to be home. It's good to be home because I get to play in front of my family and friends here. A couple of us guys played against each other in high school, so it's really great to be back."
Being closer to home means a lot more for Bronson than just the comfort of a familiar place. He values the experiences he creates for his family, who came out to summer practices and the season opener against Eastern Washington in which he recorded a sack.
"I really cherish those moments," said Bronson. "When my whole family is coming out, I think it is really cool because there are a lot of guys who wish their families could come out to Washington all the time to watch them play. So I really cherish that and think that it is an extra motivation. When I look up and see them in the stands while I'm on the sideline, I remember that I'm doing this for them."
Bronson is no stranger to support from his family. For years, he was the supporter.
John played collegiate football at Penn State before playing in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. Demitrius played running back first for UW and then Eastern Washington. He then signed with Seattle Seahawks and finished his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. But sister, Leitawsha, might be the most athletic of all the Bronsons.
"She's the beast out of this family," said Bronson. "She was on a dual scholarship over at Morgan State University. She competed in track and field and basketball."
Bronson is no stranger to athletic success. And it's clear being around successful athletes has shaped his attitude at UW. Bronson isn't focused on the individual statistics or minutes played.
"Whatever the team needs," said Bronson.
And when he says whatever the team needs, he means it.
"Really, if Coach Petersen needs me to kick off or be a returner, I'll do it," said Bronson with a laugh. "That's really my goal, is to do whatever our team needs. Anything and everything because I want our team to win a championship."
After a successful debut season as a Husky in 2018 where he had 11 tackles and a sack in 12 appearances, Bronson is ready to pick up right where he left off.
"I'm just excited to see our team come together and catch a lot of eyes," he said. "I'm excited to get further into the season and see all our work from this summer and early fall pay off.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity from Coach Petersen and from Husky nation and I'm ready to rock and roll this year."
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