Sam Beal Missing – Authorities and family members are continuing to search for Sam Beal, a former football player from Grand Rapids, who has been reported missing for several months. The news of his disappearance was shared this week on social media by a woman identifying herself as Beal’s sister, who asked the public for assistance in locating him.
According to the post, it has been seven months since the family last had contact with Beal. “We’ve done everything we could on our end to piece things together and at this point we’re in desperate need of support on all ends,” she wrote. The family has also filed a report with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) to help coordinate the search.
NAMUS records indicate that Beal was last seen by his girlfriend on July 12, and she last heard from him by phone on July 13. Beal had planned to go to work that day, but instead traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia. He told his girlfriend he would return home that day, but never did.
The report notes that Beal only took the clothes he was wearing, a pair of slides, and his wallet, which contained his banking card and driver’s license. His girlfriend’s vehicle was later recovered in Virginia Beach by one of her family members. Inside the car, authorities found Beal’s shoes and socks on the passenger-side floor along with some sand, though no further clues about his whereabouts have been confirmed.
Beal’s sister expressed both her fear and frustration over his disappearance. She said the family is seeking answers and hopes that sharing information publicly will help generate leads. “I’m not here to answer a bunch of why’s and how’s. I just need this to land in the right direction to gain some form of answers or closure,” she wrote. “I’m a big sister and I need my brother to know that we love you and miss you.”
Sam Beal is a Grand Rapids native who graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and went on to play football at Western Michigan University for three years. He entered the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft and was selected in the third round by the New York Giants.
During his time with the Giants, Beal played in nine games over three seasons. He chose not to participate in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was waived by the team in 2021 and spent some time on the practice squad but did not sign with another NFL team afterward.
Authorities continue to investigate Beal’s disappearance, and the family has asked anyone with information to come forward. Residents and community members who may have seen him or have knowledge of his last known location are encouraged to contact law enforcement or submit tips through NAMUS.
Beal’s case remains open, and his family continues to seek information that could lead to his safe return. The situation has highlighted the importance of community awareness and support in helping locate missing individuals.
