With the news that the Los Angeles Chargers are to cut pass-rusher Joey Bosa, San Francisco 49ers fans are whipping themselves into a frenzy about a potential reunion with his brother, phenomenal pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
What most people probably don't know is it won't be the first time the Niners have had a pair of brothers on the team.
In fact, they went one further and drafted twins.
Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa would be the second time 49ers had 2 brothers on roster
Yes, in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft, the 49ers drafted Sean Manuel and Sam Manuel, both college prospects from New Mexico State, 15 picks apart.
That draft is probably more famous to San Francisco fans as being the one that delivered them wide receiver Terrell Owens, who would have a successful (if tempestuous) career with the team before going on to rank third in NFL history in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
It's fair to say neither of the twins would achieve even close to that.
Sam Manuel, a linebacker, was actually the final pick in that draft, earning the infamous title, "'Mr. Irrelevant," many, many years before quarterback Brock Purdy would make it seem like a joke. Manuel found himself trying to crack a deep linebacking corps that included names like Lee Woodall, Gary Plummer and Ken Norton Jr., so it was no surprise when the rookie failed to make the final roster out of training camp.
He was, however, signed to the team's practice squad, and would get the opportunity to try again in 1997.
Sean Manuel, on the other hand, was a tight end and pitched right into a roster battle with then-incumbents Brent Jones, Ted Popson and Adrian Cooper. Manuel did well, too, making the final roster and playing in 11 games before landing on injured reserve. He made three catches for 18 yards and was highly tipped to make the roster again in 1997.
Then, the ground began to shift.
1996 would prove to be George Seifert's last year as the 49ers head coach, as he "resigned" (or was seemingly pushed out) following a 35-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs. Defensive coordinator Pete Carroll left to coach the New England Patriots, while offensive coordinator Marc Trestman was also fired with the infamous Eddie DeBartolo quote of "He's gone!" ringing in his ears.
Steve Mariucci would take over as head coach, and that would prove to be the end of the Manuel boys.
But, perhaps, not in the way you might think.
Heading into the 1997 season, the mood seemed relatively bright for one of the Manuel twin. Sean, having already made the roster in 1996, looked to have the inside track on a spot for 1997, although he was battling hard with then-converted fullback Chad Fann.
Sam, meanwhile, was still lost in a numbers game at linebacker, and would ultimately be cut prior to final cuts. This time, with no agreement to sign him to the practice squad.
Upon learning of this, Sean walked out in solidarity:
""It was emotionally draining. It was like a death. . . . You might think there's too much made out of this brother thing, but there's really something there.""Sean Manuel, after quitting the 49ers
Mariucci would say that the battle between Sean Manuel and Fann was "close" but that he may have cut Manuel anyway, even if he hadn't quit on the team.
That would technically be the last the 49ers would hear of either brother, although contemporary reports at the time suggested that Sean Manuel did ask for a second chance from the team having walked out. He wasn't given one.
Both brothers would go on to play in the World League/NFL Europe for the England Monarchs and the Scottish Claymores, respectively, before each turning up in the XFL in 2001 for, ironically, the San Francisco Demons.
At least there was one San Francisco franchise that wanted to keep them together.
Not much is known about what Sean Manuel would later go on to do, but Sam Manuel remained in the Bay Area. As of 2022, he is the East Bay Lead Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church along with his wife, Tenea.
Even if Joey Bosa fell out of a helicopter on his first day in Santa Clara, a reunion with his brother Nick at the 49ers would likely be more successful than the story of the two Manuels.
Regardless, it's an entertaining and quirky story of a strange period in team history. And if you can't tell it now, when can you tell it?
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