Big Brother A.J. Showed Avieon the Way, and Now He's Heading to the NFL

There's a scene from their childhood that tells you everything about the Terrell brothers. Young Avieon, maybe 7 years old, would wait by the gate after A.J.'s football games and practices. Tears streaming down his face. Not because he was upset, but because he couldn't wait to do one thing: put on his big brother's uniform.

"He's so small, big helmet, and he's crying because he wants to put the helmet on, put the shoulder pads on," their father Aundell told ESPN. "So, he's walking and people looking at us like, 'He's too small for that.' But it's OK, this is going to keep him quiet."

The Copycat Years

Avieon eventually got his own gear, and here's the thing: those uniforms looked a lot like A.J.'s. Not by accident. Avieon wasn't just idolizing his older brother. He was straight up following the blueprint.

Both brothers went to Westlake High School in Atlanta. Both starred there. Then Avieon followed A.J. to Clemson, where he also became a standout. While A.J. is now an All-Pro in the NFL, Avieon has been grinding to get his own shot at the league.

The Next Chapter

On April 23, Avieon is expected to be selected in the NFL draft. After years of walking in his big brother's footsteps, he's about to write his own story at the professional level. The mentorship that started at those youth practices and games is about to pay off in a big way.

For the Terrell family, this is the moment Avieon has been working toward since he was that tiny kid crying to put on A.J.'s shoulder pads. Now he gets to earn his own uniform at the next level.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.