Born in Heusden, Belgium, Sowieta's parents and family emigrated to Canada in 1957, and he grew up in Ottawa, Ontario,[2] where he attended Glebe Collegiate for high school.
Sowieta began his professional football career in 1977 when he was a first-round draft pick for the Toronto Argonauts CFL team,[2] for whom he played two seasons, from 1977 to 1979.
During his time with the Rough Riders he won three Eastern All-Star Selections (1980, 1983, 1985), was nominated as Ottawa's Choice for Outstanding Canadian Citizen in 1980, and played in the 69th Grey Cup game in 1981.
Following the end of his career in the CFL, he coached on and off with various national, Junior League, University, and High School football teams.
In addition to playing for Rough Riders in the 80's, Sowieta worked for Bacardi Rum as the sales manager for Eastern Ontario from 1980-89.