Ben Niemann, linebacker for the Detroit Lions, had already made it into the NFL when he was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 and added to the 53-man roster. An Iowa alumnus entering into the NFL just after playing the final year at college was an achievement in itself. Ben capped it by winning the Super Bowl in his first year in the NFL.

People always see the success and what he has achieved. Few want to hear what he has gone through to chase his dream and make it into reality. But two people have always been with the linebacker – his mom and dad. The Lions jersey No. 51 has always been grateful for what his parent have done for him. So, let’s dive deep to know what his parents do!

Who are Jay and Lou Ann Niemann? 

Jay Niemann, Ben’s father, was a footballer. He met Lou Ann Nieman, Ben’s mother, at the Iowa college where he used to play. Before they got hitched, Lou Ann used to live in Hancock. They tied the knot in 1985 and 10 years later, Ben Niemann was born. And who knew then that this child was going to earn a name in the NFL! Notably in the same position his father used to play, as a linebacker.

Two years after Ben Niemann was born, his younger brother Nick Niemann was born in 1997, with whom Ben has practiced a lot in his school days. Talking about his practice with big brother in September 2018, Nick only said, “Pretty Competitive.” Man, the whole family was and is competitive. Ben even has a super-supportive wife, Ali. To support his college football career, she moved with him from Waterloo, Iowa, to Abilene, Texas, to Sycamore. They share a daughter, Hunter Grace Niemann. She will no doubt grow up with a lot of football around her.

How have Ben Niemann’s NFL roots propelled him to success?

Ben once shared how he fell in love with the game in his early years. “Ever since I was born, my mom took me to my dad’s games in a stroller. So pretty much for as long as I can remember, all I’ve known,” he said. One of the other inspiring things Ben shared was that he used to tell his mom that one day he would play in the NFL and she would cheer him up on Sunday games. A claim she saw through to fruition. What a passionate lady, Lou Ann Niemann!

Talking about his mom’s contribution to the success, Ben said, “She didn’t miss one of [our] games. She’s sacrificed a lot for us.” Though apart from mom’s devotion to Ben Niemann’s success, his crazy football skills have been honed by the footballing brains of Jay, no doubt about it. Jay has a rich history in football, including his 33-year-long coaching stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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The 6’3″ linebacker has made a total of 11 sacks in the 2024 season. The Lions will hope his numbers will only rise with experience. His parents must be beaming all day and night!