Sione Takitaki Bio
Sione Takitaki is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 245 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and has been a steady presence on the defensive side of the ball since entering the league in 2019. He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. Over the course of his NFL career, Takitaki has built a reputation as a reliable defender capable of producing key tackles, sacks, and turnovers in important moments.
Born on June 8, 1995, in Fontana, California, Takitaki is of Tongan descent and carries strong family and cultural roots that have shaped his path in the sport. He has suited up for the Cleveland Browns, the New England Patriots, and most recently the Minnesota Vikings, contributing on special teams and defense throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Sione Takitaki was born on June 8, 1995, in Fontana, California, to parents Vaimaua and Fissipeau. He is the youngest of a family of seven children, growing up alongside four sisters and two brothers. His father died when Sione was 14, an event that shaped much of his early life and motivated his drive in football. The family is of Tongan descent, and Takitaki was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with his faith playing a central role in his upbringing.
He attended Heritage High School in Romoland, California, where he began developing the linebacker skills that would eventually carry him to the collegiate level. His size, instincts, and physicality at the high school level helped him earn attention from college programs. His faith and family values also influenced his college decision, with BYU providing a fit that aligned with both his athletic and personal priorities.
Path to American Football
Takitaki’s journey toward professional football took shape at Heritage High School, where he played defensive football and grew into one of the more physically imposing young linebackers in the region. His combination of size and athleticism drew the attention of several college programs, and he eventually committed to BYU, where the program’s culture and his own religious beliefs aligned well.
At BYU, Takitaki developed into one of the conference’s most productive linebackers over four seasons with the Cougars from 2014 to 2018. He totaled 237 tackles across his college career, including 32.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks, demonstrating his ability to disrupt both the run and the pass. As a senior, he served as a team captain and led the Cougars with 118 tackles, a performance that solidified his status as an NFL prospect heading into the 2019 draft.
Sione Takitaki Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Takitaki was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round with the 80th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, joining a young defense that was being built around new talent. In his early seasons with the Browns, he worked primarily as a rotational linebacker, gradually earning more responsibility on defense and special teams. His first two seasons in the league gave him a chance to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
His 2020 season featured several signature moments that announced his arrival as a playmaker. In Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Takitaki intercepted a pass from quarterback Carson Wentz and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown during a 22-17 win, marking his first career interception and touchdown. Later that season, in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, he recorded his first career sack on Lamar Jackson, even as the Browns fell 47-42.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2020–2023)
The 2020 season also produced the biggest play of Takitaki’s career to that point. In the AFC Wildcard game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter to seal a 48-37 victory for the Browns. That postseason interception cemented his reputation as a clutch defender on a rising Cleveland team.
Takitaki entered the 2022 season as a starting linebacker alongside Anthony Walker Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, taking on a larger leadership role within the defense. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 13, leading to his placement on injured reserve on December 7, 2022. On March 16, 2023, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Browns, but his time in Cleveland came to a close at the end of the 2023 season.
New England Patriots Era (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Takitaki signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, looking to continue his career in a new defensive system. He was placed on the reserve/PUP list to begin the season while recovering from prior injury concerns, and was activated on October 12. His role in New England was more limited than in his later Cleveland years, but he remained a veteran presence in the linebacker room. He was released by the Patriots on February 19, 2025.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
On September 11, 2025, Takitaki signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, beginning a new chapter with a third NFL franchise. Joining a Vikings defense that has been among the league’s most active in recent seasons, he brings experience and positional versatility to the linebacker group. His progression back onto the active roster and into regular defensive snaps will be a storyline to watch as the season unfolds.
Driving Style and Strengths
Takitaki is known for his physicality at the point of attack, his instincts against the run, and his ability to deliver key tackles in short-yardage situations. He has shown the range to drop into coverage and produce turnovers, including interceptions returned for touchdowns during his time with the Browns. His experience in multiple defensive systems across Cleveland, New England, and Minnesota has made him a versatile, assignment-sound linebacker.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Takitaki’s career are his first career interception and touchdown against the Eagles in 2020, his first career sack on Lamar Jackson later that same season, and his clutch interception of Ben Roethlisberger in the 2020 AFC Wildcard game against the Steelers. These plays helped establish him as a defender capable of stepping up in high-pressure moments throughout his NFL career.
Sione Takitaki Career Wins
Through the 2024 season, Sione Takitaki has appeared in regular-season and postseason games for the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots, building a steady statistical résumé. His career totals include 289 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 1 defensive touchdown. While wins and losses fall to the team, his individual contributions have consistently shown up in the box score.
Regular Season Highlights
Takitaki’s most productive regular season came in 2020, when he recorded his first career interception and touchdown against Philadelphia and his first career sack against Baltimore. Across his time in Cleveland, he became a reliable contributor on defense and special teams, regularly appearing in tackling columns. He has continued to contribute in rotational and starting roles in subsequent seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond regular-season action, Takitaki has made his mark in the postseason, most notably with his game-sealing interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 AFC Wildcard round. That performance, combined with his experience in big-game environments, has given him a résumé that reflects both durability and a knack for the dramatic play.
Sione Takitaki Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sione Takitaki is of Tongan descent and the youngest of seven children, with four sisters and two brothers. His parents, Vaimaua and Fissipeau, raised the family with strong cultural and religious values, grounding Takitaki in a community that supported his athletic ambitions. The loss of his father when Sione was 14 has been a formative part of his personal story, motivating much of his drive and discipline in the sport.
Personal Life
Takitaki married Alyssa Penney on June 14, 2016, in Sacramento, California. The couple welcomed a son, Zion, in 2024. His faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has remained an important part of his life and was a factor in his decision to attend BYU.
2025 Season Performance
Takitaki joined the Minnesota Vikings via the practice squad on September 11, 2025, opening his tenure with a new team midway through the season. His primary objectives in 2025 are to return to full health, earn a spot on the active roster, and contribute as a depth linebacker and special teams player. With the Vikings competing in a competitive NFC, his experience provides valuable veteran insurance at the position.
Throughout the 2025 season, Takitaki’s role within the Vikings’ defensive scheme will likely focus on run support, situational pass coverage, and special teams play. Coaches will be evaluating his readiness, conditioning, and fit within the linebacker rotation as the season progresses. His familiarity with multiple defensive systems across Cleveland and New England should make the transition smoother as he fights for a more permanent role.
Looking ahead, Takitaki’s outlook in Minnesota will depend on his ability to stay healthy and carve out a consistent role on defense or special teams. A strong finish to the 2025 season could position him for a more prominent role with the Vikings, or another opportunity elsewhere in the league, as he continues to extend a professional career that began in 2019.
