Greg Jennings facts for kids
Jennings with the Green Bay Packers in 2011
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | September 21, 1983 Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 197 lb (89 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Central (Kalamazoo) | ||||||
| College: | Western Michigan (2002–2005) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 52 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Gregory Jennings Jr. (born September 21, 1983) is a sports TV personality and former professional football player. He played as a wide receiver for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
Jennings played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos. The Green Bay Packers picked him in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. During his seven years with the Packers, he was chosen for two Pro Bowls. He also helped the team win a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLV. Later, he played for the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. In 2022, he was honored by being inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
After his football career, Jennings started working in sports media. As of 2025, he is a regular football analyst. You can see him on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) shows like First Things First and Breakfast Ball.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Jennings was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He went to Kalamazoo Central High School. There, he was a top athlete in three sports: football, basketball, and track.
High School Football
In football, Jennings was a four-time letterman. He played wide receiver, running back, outside linebacker, and defensive back. As a senior, he was ranked 11th on the "Fab 50" list by the Detroit Free Press.
Basketball and Track
In basketball, Jennings finished seventh in voting for Mr. Basketball of Michigan in 2000–01. He once scored a school record 50 points in a game. In track & field, he was one of the best in the state for the long jump. He won the state title in 2001 with a jump of 6.67 meters. His personal best in the long jump was 6.92 meters. He also ran in the 4 × 100m and 4 × 200m relay races.
College Football Career
Jennings attended Western Michigan University and played for the Broncos. He ended his college career with 238 catches for 3,539 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Early College Years
As a freshman, he missed 8 games because of a broken ankle bone. In 2003, he had 56 catches for 1,050 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Mid American 2nd team. In 2004, he led the Broncos with 74 catches for 1,092 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was again named to the All-MAC team.
Senior Year Success
In 2005, Jennings had 98 catches. He led the nation in catches per game, with 8.91. He gained 1,259 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He earned the 2005 MAC Offensive Player of the Year Award. His total of 5,093 all-purpose yards is a school record. Jennings was one of only 11 players to gain over 1,000 yards in at least three college seasons. He graduated from Western Michigan in 2010.
Professional Football Career
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers chose Jennings in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. He was the 52nd player picked overall. On July 24, 2006, he signed his contract with the Packers.
Rookie Season
Jennings became a starting wide receiver for his first NFL game. He played alongside Donald Driver. He led the NFL in receiving yards during the 2006 preseason. On September 24, 2006, he caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre. This was Favre's 400th career touchdown pass, a huge milestone. Jennings had his first 100-plus-yard game, with 3 catches for 101 yards and 1 touchdown. He was named NFL Rookie of the Week. He also made the NFL All-Rookie team at the end of the season.
Key Moments with Favre
On September 23, 2007, Jennings caught a game-winning 57-yard touchdown pass from Favre. This helped the Packers beat the San Diego Chargers 31–24. A week later, on September 30, 2007, Jennings caught a 16-yard pass from Favre. This pass broke the all-time touchdown pass record that Favre shared with Dan Marino. On October 29, 2007, Jennings caught an 82-yard touchdown pass from Favre. This won the game against the Denver Broncos in overtime. The next week, he caught another game-winning touchdown pass for 60 yards against the Chiefs.
Playing with Aaron Rodgers
On November 29, 2007, Jennings caught the first-ever touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In the 2008 season, Jennings had 80 catches for 1,292 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Super Bowl XLV Champion
On June 23, 2009, Jennings signed a three-year contract extension. He caught a game-winning pass on September 13, 2009, against the Chicago Bears. In the 2010–2011 season, Jennings helped the Packers achieve a 10–6 record. In Super Bowl XLV, on February 6, 2011, Jennings caught four passes for 64 yards. He scored two touchdowns in the Packers' 31–25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Later Packers Seasons
Jennings played the first 13 games of the 2011 season. He then had a knee injury. He returned for the playoffs but the Packers lost. In 2012, Jennings missed much of the early season due to a groin injury.
Minnesota Vikings
On March 15, 2013, Jennings signed a 5-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He scored his first two touchdowns as a Viking against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On November 24, 2013, he returned to Lambeau Field to play against his former team, the Packers. He was released by the Vikings on March 14, 2015.
Miami Dolphins
On April 22, 2015, Jennings signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins released him on March 5, 2016.
Retirement
On July 25, 2016, Greg Jennings retired from professional football. He played for 10 seasons and was 32 years old. In 2022, he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Personal Life and Media
Jennings is a Christian. He is married to Nicole Jennings, and they have three daughters: Amya, Alea, and Ayva. They also have a son named Aice Gregory, born in 2012.
Jennings has appeared on TV shows. He was on Criminal Minds in 2010 as a lab technician. He also appeared as himself on Royal Pains in 2011 and The League in 2013.
Greg Jennings Foundation
Jennings started the Greg Jennings Foundation. This charity helps underprivileged children and youth organizations. The foundation raises money through events, donations, and fundraisers. Groups in Michigan or Wisconsin can apply for grants from the foundation. Its main office is in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Sports Analyst
Jennings is also a part-time analyst on FS1. He appears on First Things First and Breakfast Ball.
Madden Video Clip
Jennings is famous for a viral video from the Madden NFL 10 video game. In the video, a player named Demetry James scores a 99-yard touchdown with Jennings, even though Jennings supposedly had a broken leg in the game. The Madden game series later referenced this video. In Madden NFL 12, if a player scores a 99-yard touchdown with Jennings, they earn an achievement. It is called "Put Da Team On My Back," which is a line from James's video.
Images for kids
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Jennings with the Green Bay Packers in 2011
See also
In Spanish: Greg Jennings para niños
