Boomer Esiason

Vocation

Lifestyle

Notable

Traits

Family

American football player, a quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992), New York Jets (1993–1995), Arizona Cardinals (1996), and Cincinnati Bengals (1997). In 1989 he was named Most Valuable Player in the NFL. In Miami, he led his ferocious Bengals against the San Francisco 49ers. Boomer gained his nickname before he was born by his insistent kicking in his mom's womb, and has thrived on an aggressive beat ever since. He was raised with two older sisters by his dad, an insurance man, after his mom died of cancer when he was five. He attacked two sports, football and baseball and while still in high school, was recruited by Maryland. While there, he broke every passing record and also met his future wife, Cheryl, two years younger. Known for not only his physical prowess, Esiason is also noted for his high principles. Once committed, he sticks to his word. He and Cheryl have two sons, Gunner and Sydney. Their son, Gunner was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was two years old. He has become a lobbyist and fund-raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. All of his profits from his "Boomer's Barbecue Sauce" go to fight cystic fibrosis. After a stellar 14-year NFL career, Esiason retired in 1998 and replaced sportscaster Frank Gifford on "Monday Night Football." He rejected a reported $8 million contract to play for the Cincinnati Bengals, in part because the TV job is so high-profile. Esiason plans to use some of that publicity for cystic fibrosis but insists that he won't use his job as a "bully pulpit." September 1998 found him hosting the Miss America pageant. Link to Wikipedia biography