Zach Ertz: Bio, Career, Net Worth, and More

Zach Ertz is one of the most accomplished and versatile tight ends in the NFL. He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals, winning a Super Bowl with the former. He is also married to Julie Johnston Ertz, a professional soccer player and a World Cup champion. In this article, we will explore his life, career, achievements, and controversies.

Bio

• Full name: Zachary Adam Ertz
• Date of birth: November 10, 1990
• Place of birth: Orange, California, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
• Weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
• Position: Tight end
• Current team: Free agent

Early life and education

• Ertz grew up as the oldest of four children. His father played for the Lehigh University football team from 1981 to 1984.
• He attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, where he played football and basketball. He was named to the All-East Bay Athletic League first team as a senior.
• He enrolled at Stanford University, where he played for the Stanford Cardinal football team from 2009 to 2012. He redshirted the 2009 season.
• He graduated from Stanford with a degree in management science and engineering in 2013.

Career

• Ertz was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $5.37 million, with a $2.29 million signing bonus.
• He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2013, against the Washington Redskins. He caught his first touchdown pass on October 13, 2013, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• He had a breakout season in 2015, when he set a franchise record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season with 75. He also had 853 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
• He signed a five-year contract extension with the Eagles on January 25, 2016, worth $42.5 million, with $21 million guaranteed.
• He had another stellar season in 2017, when he earned his first Pro Bowl selection and helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. He finished the season with 74 receptions, 824 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns.
• He had a historic season in 2018, when he broke the NFL record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season with 116. He also had 1,163 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He earned his second Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro second team.
• He had another productive season in 2019, when he had 88 receptions, 916 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. He earned his third Pro Bowl selection and became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 500 career receptions.
• He had a disappointing season in 2020, when he struggled with injuries and had a career-low 36 receptions, 335 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He also had a public dispute with the Eagles over his contract situation.
• He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on October 15, 2021, along with a 2025 sixth-round pick, in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick.
• He played six games for the Cardinals in 2021, catching 18 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He became the first player in NFL history to catch two touchdowns in consecutive games for different teams.
• He became a free agent after the 2021 season, as his contract expired. He is currently looking for a new team to join.

Net worth and endorsements

• Ertz has an estimated net worth of $16 million as of 2021.
• He has earned over $52 million from his NFL career so far.
• He has endorsement deals with Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Bose, and Fanatics.
• He and his wife launched the Ertz Family Foundation in 2018, which aims to empower and uplift communities through education, sports, and faith.

Relationships and family

• Ertz met his wife, Julie Johnston Ertz, at a Stanford baseball game in 2012. She is a professional soccer player who plays for the U.S. Women’s National Team and the Chicago Red Stars. She is a two-time World Cup champion and a two-time Olympic medalist.
• Ertz proposed to Julie at Klein Field, the Stanford University baseball stadium where they first met, on February 26, 2016.
• They got married on March 26, 2017, in Goleta, California.
• They have no children as of now, but they have two dogs named Ace and Rio.

Social media presence

• Ertz is active on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram, over 600,000 followers on Twitter, and over 200,000 followers on Facebook.
• He often posts pictures and videos of his football career, his wife, his foundation, and his hobbies. He also interacts with his fans and supports various causes and charities.

Interesting facts

• Ertz is a devout Christian who credits his faith for his success and happiness. He wears a wristband with the verse Philippians 4:13, which reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• Ertz is a fan of basketball and supports the Golden State Warriors. He is friends with Warriors star Stephen Curry, who also attended his wedding.
• Ertz is an avid reader and enjoys books on leadership, business, and spirituality. Some of his favorite books are The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, and The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
• Ertz is a philanthropist who supports various causes and organizations, such as the Haiti Sports Complex, the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
• Ertz is a trivia buff who likes to challenge his teammates and coaches on various topics. He is especially good at geography and history.

Controversy

• Ertz was involved in a controversial play in Super Bowl LII, when he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Nick Foles in the fourth quarter. The play was initially reviewed by the officials, who ruled that Ertz had possession of the ball and broke the plane of the goal line before losing control of the ball. The ruling was upheld after a lengthy review, giving the Eagles a 38-33 lead. The play was compared to a similar play by Jesse James of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New England Patriots in the regular season, which was ruled incomplete.
• Ertz was criticized by some fans and media members for skipping the Eagles’ visit to the White House in June 2018, after they won the Super Bowl. Ertz and several other players decided not to attend the ceremony, citing their disagreement with President Donald Trump’s policies and comments. Ertz defended his decision, saying that he wanted to use his platform to stand up for what he believed in.

FAQS

Conclusion

Zach Ertz is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, who has achieved remarkable success and recognition in his career. He is also a devoted husband, a generous philanthropist, and a faithful Christian. He is an inspiration to many young athletes and fans who aspire to follow his footsteps. He is a true example of a champion on and off the field.