Jermaine Kearse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jermaine Kearse

Kearse with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014
Washington Huskies
Position:	Program assistant
Personal information
Born:	(1990-02-06) February 6, 1990 (age 35) Lakewood, Washington, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lakes (Lakewood)
College:	Washington (2008–2011)
Undrafted:	2012
Career history
As player:
Seattle Seahawks (2012–2016) New York Jets (2017–2018) Detroit Lions (2019)
As coach:
Washington (2021–present) Graduate assistant
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVIII) 2× Second-team All-Pac-10 (2009–2010)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 255 Receiving yards: 3,290 Receiving touchdowns: 17
Player stats at PFR

Jermaine Levan Kearse (born February 6, 1990) is a former American football player. He played as a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Washington Huskies. Kearse started his NFL journey with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. He later won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks. After five seasons, he played for the New York Jets and then the Detroit Lions.

Growing Up: Early Life

Jermaine Kearse grew up in a military family. His dad was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. While living near Tacoma, Washington, he went to Lakes High School in Lakewood. He played high school football for the Lakes Lancers. In his final year, he caught 54 passes for 903 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

College Football Career

Kearse went to the University of Washington in Seattle. He played football for the Huskies in the Pac-12 Conference. As a freshman in 2008, he played in all 12 games. He had 20 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2009, his second year, Kearse led his team in catches (50), yards (866), and touchdowns (eight). He was named a second-team All-Pac-10 player. The next year, in 2010, he again led the team with 63 catches for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors for the second time. In his final college year in 2011, he had 47 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.

Playing in the NFL

Jermaine Kearse started his professional career with the Seattle Seahawks. He was signed as a player who wasn't chosen in the main draft (an undrafted free agent) on April 28, 2012.

Seattle Seahawks: Winning a Super Bowl

2012 Season: Starting Out

Kearse played his first NFL game on November 4, 2012. He had a six-yard catch against the Minnesota Vikings. In his first year, he played in seven games. He finished with three catches for 31 yards and also played on special teams.

2013 Season: First Touchdowns and Super Bowl Win

In 2013, Kearse scored his first NFL touchdown. It was a 43-yard catch from quarterback Russell Wilson against the Carolina Panthers. This helped the Seahawks win the game. Later, he caught another touchdown and even blocked a punt, which led to a safety.

In the NFC Championship game, Kearse caught a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks won and went to Super Bowl XLVIII. In the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos, Kearse had four catches for 65 yards. This included a 23-yard touchdown catch where he broke four tackles. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl 43–8, giving Kearse and the team their first championship!

2014 Season: Another Super Bowl Trip

In 2014, Kearse played in 15 games. He had 537 receiving yards and one touchdown. He also threw his first NFL pass, a 17-yard pass to Russell Wilson.

In the playoffs, Kearse continued to score touchdowns. He had a 63-yard catch-and-run against the Carolina Panthers. He led all receivers with 129 yards in that game. In the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers, Kearse caught a 35-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime. This sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row.

In Super Bowl XLIX, Kearse made an amazing catch after the ball was tipped. However, the Seahawks lost the game to the New England Patriots 28–24.

2015 Season: Career Highs

In 2015, Kearse had a career-high eight catches in the first game. He scored his first touchdown of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Later, he had his first game with two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also had a career-high 110 receiving yards in a game. Kearse started all 16 games for the first time. He finished the year with 685 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns.

In the playoffs, he had 11 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers.

2016 Season: Last Year with Seahawks

In 2016, Kearse caught 41 passes for 511 yards and one touchdown. The Seahawks won their division and made the playoffs. They won their first playoff game but then lost to the Atlanta Falcons.

New York Jets: New Team, New Success

2017 Season: Big Catches

On September 1, 2017, Kearse was traded to the New York Jets. In his first game with the Jets, he had seven catches for 59 yards. In Week 2, he scored his first two touchdowns with the Jets. Later in the season, he had 7 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

Kearse with the Jets on December 3, 2017

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Kearse had an amazing game. He made a spectacular one-handed catch and a 51-yard catch. He finished that game with nine catches and 157 receiving yards. Overall in 2017, he had 65 catches for 810 yards and five touchdowns.

2018 Season: Final Year with Jets

In 2018, Kearse had nine catches for 94 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. He scored his only touchdown of the season against the New England Patriots. He finished the 2018 season with 37 catches for 371 yards and one touchdown.

Detroit Lions: Injury and Retirement

On June 6, 2019, Kearse signed with the Detroit Lions. Sadly, he broke his leg early in a preseason game on August 8, 2019. He missed the entire season because of this injury.

Jermaine Kearse announced he was retiring from football on September 29, 2020.

NFL Career Statistics

Life After Football

After retiring, Jermaine Kearse partnered with Kitsap Credit Union for a time. He is married to Marisa Ventura, and they have two daughters. Kearse is a Christian.

Currently, Jermaine Kearse works as a program assistant at the University of Washington, where he once played college football.

See also

• Washington Huskies football statistical leaders