After the trial period, he was activated by the Lions. He appeared in one game for the Lions and was released on September 24, 1971. After retiring from football, Newell returned to the Chicago area. He worked for 32 years in the financial services field for Smith Barney/Citigroup Global Markets, and he also served as the president of the Chicago Bond Club, the Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois, and the University of Michigan Club of Chicago. He was also a member of the executive board of his alma mater, Notre Dame College Prep. Newell is married to Nancy Newell. They have three sons, Peter, Kevin and Brian, who was first team all Catholic league for the Fenwick Friars. In 2009, Newell was inducted into the Notre Dame College Prep Hall of Honor.