Greg Van Roten’s entire NFL story reads like a lesson in stubborn grit. After short-lived stints with the Packers and Seahawks that didn’t really go anywhere, he found himself in the CFL, which, for most players, is the end of the NFL dream. But Greg isn’t “most players.” He clawed his way back and carved out a career that’s lasted longer than anyone could’ve predicted. Now playing for the New York Giants. And when you look at where he comes from, it’s not hard to see why.

Who are Greg Van Roten’s parents?

Greg Van Roten comes from one of those quietly competitive Long Island families where sports and schoolwork both mattered. His parents, Catherine (Cathy) and Thomas Van Roten, raised him in Rockville Centre, New York, and gave him a foundation built on work ethic and self-belief. His dad, Thomas, played baseball at St. John’s. Greg, on the other hand, went on to study at Wharton during his time at the University of Pennsylvania.

What ethnicity are Greg Van Roten’s parents?

Greg Van Roten comes from mixed Dutch and Irish ancestry, reflected in his family background and surname origins. His father is Thomas Van Roten, while his mother, Cathy, hails from Connecticut with Irish family roots.

The surname “Van Roten” carries Dutch heritage, with Ancestry.com records confirming the name’s established history in the United States. The family maintained a notable presence in New York, where Van Roten was raised, preserving their Dutch cultural connection through generations.

Van Roten’s Irish heritage comes through his mother’s side, which gained attention in 2020 when he signed with the Jets. News reports highlighted the awkward family dynamic created by Cathy’s allegiance to the New England Patriots, a loyalty tied to her Connecticut upbringing and Irish family traditions – while her son joined a division rival.

The blend of Dutch and Irish ancestry represents the typical American melting pot experience, with Van Roten’s background connecting to two distinct European immigrant communities that helped shape the Northeast’s cultural identity.

Inside Greg’s Relationship with His Parents

Greg grew up in a Jets household. His dad and grandfather were diehard fans, the kind who lived for Hofstra training camps during the “New York Sack Exchange” era. Thomas Van Roten was even a Jets season ticket holder for more than a decade. So when Greg finally signed with the Jets in 2020, it sort of came full circle.

His mom, Cathy, saw it coming long before anyone else did. “He said he wanted to be a professional football player,” she once recalled. “That’s when he was 10. So he’s kind of been thinking about this for a long time.” And when that dream actually became reality, his dad’s reaction was rather wholesome. “I can’t believe you’re playing for the Jets, and I live in [bleeping] South Carolina!”

Family has always been the heartbeat of Greg’s career. During the height of COVID, when the world felt upside down, he called his grandmother in Connecticut just to check in. “I was like, ‘Have you ever experienced anything like this in your lifetime?’” he said

That sense of empathy and loyalty extends beyond football. Greg and his wife have done meaningful work supporting Alzheimer’s awareness. And that hits a little too close to home. His grandfather, Edward Toper, passed away from the disease a few years ago.

“My pop-pop is a big influence on my life,” Greg said. “I miss him every day. He loved football, loved watching me play, and I’m always thinking about him,” Greg said. From Long Island to Wharton to the CFL to the NFL, every stop has been shaped by the grit, humility, and love he learned at home from Cathy and Thomas.