Greg Zuerlein, also known as “Greg the Leg” among his fans, gives credit to his parents, Eileen and Gene Zuerlein, for his successful journey as an established athlete. Greg’s passion and dedication to the game, supported by his parents, have propelled him to great heights in the realm of athletics. Let’s delve into the contributions of Eileen and Gene Zuerlein to Greg Zuerlein’s remarkable success.
Greg Zuerlein is a placekicker for the New York Jets in the National Football League. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska on December 27, 1987, Zuerlein is a graduate of Lincoln Pius X, where he set a Nebraska state record for field goals in a season during his junior year. His college football career began with a scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and continued at Missouri Western. Zuerlein was drafted 171st overall by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Zuerlein’s standout season with the Rams in 2017 earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl appearance. He also led the NFL in scoring with 158 points and 11.3 points per game. After a two-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys, Zuerlein joined the New York Jets in 2022.
Eileen and Gene Zuerlein: Greg Zuerlein’s Parents
Hailing from Nebraska, his parents, Eileen and Gene Zuerlein, raised him in a close-knit household that prioritized values, hard work, and support. Despite not being gifted athletes themselves, Eileen, his mother, worked as an accountant and humorously mentioned in an interview that she was usually the last person picked for teams.
This might explain why Zuerlein didn’t follow the typical path of kicking. Unlike other children, he never attended specialized kicking camps before college. It wasn’t until his sophomore year that he discovered his talent for kicking, as he initially intended to focus on soccer after his freshman year.
Gene, his father, occasionally shares his memories of his son’s games with the media, highlighting the kicker’s ability to overcome obstacles. Zuerlein’s parents have been unwavering pillars of support, helping him navigate the inevitable challenges in his professional career.
Greg Zuerlein’s Family: Wife and Children
Greg Zuerlein has been married to his high school sweetheart, Megan Zuerlein (née Kreifels), since 2013. Megan, a graduate of Pius X High School and a former goalkeeper for the Hastings College girls’ soccer team, was named the Lincoln Journal Star Athlete of the Year in 2011. She is also a registered nurse, having completed her education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
The couple has five children: Emma, Morgan, Greg Jr., Samuel, and Nicholas. Their first child, Emma, was born in 2014; followed by Morgan in 2015. Greg Jr., Samuel, and Nicholas were born in 2016, 2018, and 2020, respectively.
