Linell was born and raised in Spring, Texas and spent his childhood learning and growing under the teachings of Spring ISD. He attended high school at Dekaney where he participated in football and basketball and was a member of the 2011 state championship team.

Collegiately, Linell walked onto the D1 Football team at the University of Houston where he suffered a career stopping injury and after fighting to get back on the field he earned a full scholarship to continue playing on the team and is currently a top 10 all-time receiver at the University of Houston. Linell graduated with his degree in Business/Consumer Science and went on to play for the CFL before returning to the States to focus on what truly matters to him—making meaningful change and
impact in his community.

Linell is currently a full-time public speaker/mentor where he continues to serve the community. He and his wife, Bianca Bonner, have a keen interest in real estate investing with a goal of continuing to build up the community around them. In conjunction with “once an athlete” Linell and his wife also serve the community through their philanthropy brand "Faith First Group," which hosts periodic events to impact the community.