Sean graduated from South Side Beaver High School in 2000, where he was a four-sport letter winner and captain of the football, basketball, and track teams in his senior year. Sean was an all-conference basketball player and a WPIAL gold medal winner in the 300 hurdles.

In football, Sean was a four-year starter and received all-conference honors as a quarterback, defensive back, wide receiver, and punter. He never lost a home game at Richard J. Ashcroft Field and was a key figure on two teams that went undefeated in Big 7 conference play. Sean started every game since his freshman year and was a four-year all-conference selection.

As a freshman and sophomore, Sean had 866 receiving yards and 500 rushing yards. In 1999, as a senior, Sean rushed for 929 yards, threw for 1,314 yards with 16 touchdowns, had seven interceptions, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. That year, Sean captained the state champion football team, earning all-state honors and Fab 22 honors as a defensive back and being named Associated Press Small School Player of the Year in Pennsylvania.

Sean then attended Colgate University from 2000 to 2004 and was a four-year starter as a defensive back. As a senior, he captained the football team that made a historic run at a Division I-AA National Championship and finished the season with a 15-1 mark and a #2 national ranking. Sean contributed over 100 tackles, led the team with 65 solo tackles and four interceptions, and was awarded Team Defensive MVP, First-Team Patriot League, and All-ECAC honors. Sam was also the recipient of the Dick Kadis Award in 2004.

Following Colgate, Sean played safety in the Italian Football League for the Lazzio Marines during the 2004-05 season.