Jeannie Pederson has been one of the most consistent sources of support throughout her husband’s career. (Facebook)
It’s a brand-new era of Philadelphia Eagles football.
Team is reportedly set to announce Doug Pederson, the current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former Eagles quarterback, as the squad’s new head coach sooner rather than later. It’s been a long and winding road back to the City of Brotherly Love for Pederson and while there have been plenty of ups and downs, the coach has found consistent support from his wife Jeannie.
Now, the two, and their family, are set to embark on this latest football-related challenge together. Welcome back to Philly.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jeannie Pederson:
1. Doug & Jeannie Met on a Blind Date & Were Married in 1991
At first, Jeannie wasnt interested in meeting Doug on a blind date. (Facebook)
While he was redshirting his freshman season at Northeast Louisiana University, Doug was set up on a blind date at Johnny’s Pizza with a senior at near-by Ouachita High School.
It was his future wife.
Jeannie told Philly.com she wasn’t all that interested in the date, but eventually agreed to meet Doug, adding:
I had a boyfriend, but, you know, Doug was a quarterback and all that, and I figured I’d take a look. He was very nice and polite, and we hit it off. Plus, he was tall, so I could wear heels when I was out with him.
The pair hit it off right away, Doug said it was because she ate a fairly good amount of pizza, and eventually the two started dating regularly. They eventually tied the knot in 1991 and have been together ever since.
2. She Earned Her Nursing Degree While Doug Played Football in Europe
Doug spent several years playing and coaching in Philadelphia and will now return to the Eagles sideline with his family. (Facebook)
After three years of marriage, Doug was still chasing his dream of earning a starting quarterback job in the NFL, but the task proved much harder than either him or Jeannie had ever imagined. In fact, in the early 1990s, it seemed almost impossible.
Still, Doug couldn’t shake the desire to play and Jeannie never stopped supporting him. So much so that when an opportunity to play for the Rhein Fire in Dusseldorf, Germany, Jeannie made sure Doug seized the chance. However, instead of following him to Europe, she stayed stateside, working towards her own dream of a nursing degree.
Doug explained the challenges of the separation to the Kansas City Chiefs website, saying:
She was still in nursing school and hadn’t quite finished. She needed another year or two and she knew my dream and goal was to be in the National Football League.
It was tough, but she supported that and I supported her obviously to finish her degree and become a nurse.
The move to Germany paid off for Doug who signed with the Green Bay Packers upon his return.
3. Jeannie Played Basketball in College
Doug and Jeannie both found success in college playing sports. (Facebook)
Doug didn’t even a lockdown on athletic talent in this relationship. While he was setting records (including the Division I-AA record for passing yards in a game, with 619 against Stephen F. Austin), Jeannie was an athlete in her own right as well.
She played basketball at Louisiana College while also working towards a nursing degree.
4. Jeannie & Doug Are Parents to Three Sons
The Pederson family has criss-crossed the country throughout Doug’s career. (Facebook)
The Pedersons have three children together, all sons, Drew, Josh and Joel. The family will be picking up and heading to Philadelphia sooner rather than later, but just a few months ago Doug had listed the benefits of raising his sons in Kansas City.
He told the Chiefs website shortly after he was hired as the team’s offensive coordinator:
One, schools are great for the kids, great place to raise a family. You’re in the Midwest, it’s a slower lifestyle than the Northeast. The fans—it reminds me so much of Green Bay with the fan base and how passionate they are and they support you through thick or thin.
In addition to their own children, Doug and Jeannie were surrogate parents for many of the kids he coached at Calvary Baptist High School. Pederson coached at the Louisiana school from 2005 to 2008 and frequently held team events at his home.
5. Drew, Her Oldest Son, Is a Backup Quarterback at Samford
Drew Pederson (right) has two more seasons of college football ahead of him. (Twitter)
Jeannie and Doug’s oldest son, Drew, was quick to pick up on the football bug. He played both ways at Moorestown High School in New Jersey and excelled at both the quarterback, free safety, wide receiver and even punter position. By the time he graduated Pederson had received accolades from both Burlington County and South Jersey and was named first-team All-County as a safety.
Pederson is now playing quarterback at Samford University and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
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Jeannie Pederson, Doug’s Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know