Honestly, it’s kinda rare to see two people reach the absolute peak of their respective sports at the same time. You’ve got the NFL on one side and the USWNT on the other. For Zach and Julie Ertz, it wasn’t just about having two sets of trophies on the mantel; it was about the sheer, exhausting grind of maintaining two elite-level careers while trying to, you know, actually be married.
Most people see the highlights. They see Zach catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII or Julie hoisting the World Cup trophy in 2015 and 2019. But the reality is way more complicated than a victory parade. By the time 2026 rolled around, the conversation shifted from "how many rings do they have?" to "what does life look like when the cheering stops?"
The Brutal Reality of the 2025 Season
Let's talk about what happened recently because it’s been a rough stretch for the Ertz family. Zach was still out there grinding with the Washington Commanders in 2025. At 35, he was essentially the elder statesman of the tight end room, showing the young guys how it’s done. He was actually putting up decent numbers—50 catches for over 500 yards.
Then, Week 14 happened.
Against the Vikings, Zach took a low hit that basically ended his season and, quite possibly, his career. A torn ACL at 35 is no joke. Seeing him carted off the field with a towel over his head... it felt like the end of an era. It’s one of those moments where the physical toll of the game just catches up. You can be the most disciplined athlete in the world, but your ligaments don't care about your resume.
Julie’s Shift to "Momma Can Play"
While Zach was dealing with the Commanders' up-and-down season, Julie had already stepped away. She officially retired from professional soccer in late 2023. She famously said her retirement wasn't because "momma can't play," but because her priorities had just shifted.
And man, have they shifted.
The Ertz household is basically a zone defense at this point. They have their son, Madden, who was born in 2022, and then they welcomed twins—Kace and Kyren—in the summer of 2024. That’s three kids under the age of four. Most people struggle to get to the grocery store with one toddler, let alone managing three while one parent is recovering from a major knee reconstruction.
Why the Ertz Legacy is Different
What most people get wrong is thinking they’re just another "sports couple." There’s a specific depth to their story that usually gets glossed over. They met at a Stanford baseball game back in 2012 when they were just college kids. Zach was at Stanford; Julie was at Santa Clara. They weren't famous yet. They were just two athletes who liked each other.
That foundation is probably why they’ve lasted. They’ve been through:
- Long-distance stretches where they only saw each other on FaceTime.
- Major injuries that threatened their livelihoods.
- The pressure of being "the faces" of their respective leagues.
They also don't just sit on their money. The Ertz Family Foundation is legit. They aren't just names on a letterhead; they actually do the work. Their "House of Hope" project in Philadelphia is a perfect example. Even though Zach hasn't played for the Eagles in years, they stayed committed to North Philadelphia, focusing on food insecurity and education. It’s rare for athletes to keep that kind of connection to a city once the jersey changes.
The Nuance of Retirement
There's this weird pressure on athletes to "go out on top." Julie did that. She played in the 2023 World Cup and walked away while she was still arguably one of the best holding midfielders on the planet.
Zach’s situation is different. Coming off an ACL tear in 2026, he’s facing a crossroads. Does he spend a year in grueling rehab just to try and play one more season at 36? Or does he join Julie on the sidelines? Honestly, he doesn't have anything left to prove. He’s a Super Bowl champ and holds the NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single season (116).
What We Can Learn From Them
The way Zach and Julie Ertz handled their careers offers some pretty solid life lessons, whether you’re an athlete or just someone trying to balance a job and a family.
- Prioritize the "Next Version" of Yourself: Julie knew when to walk away to be present for her family. Zach is now learning that the game eventually walks away from you.
- Community Isn't a Location: They showed that you can impact a city (like Philly) long after you've moved on to Arizona or Washington.
- Faith Over Fame: They’ve both been incredibly vocal about their faith, and it seems to be the thing that keeps them grounded when the ACLs tear or the World Cup runs end early.
Moving Forward
If you're following their journey, keep an eye on the Ertz Family Foundation website for their 2026 initiatives. They’ve been expanding their "Parity in Sport" programs to help young girls get the same opportunities Julie had.
If you want to support their mission or get involved in their community projects, the best move is to check out their official foundation page. They often run volunteer events in Philly and the Bay Area that are actually hands-on. Whether Zach decides to strap the pads back on for one last dance or focus entirely on the "dad life," their footprint on the sports world is already permanent.
