Jake Funk

Jake Funk's Biography

Jacob “Jake” Funk, born on January 11, 1998, is an esteemed American professional football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Raised in a family of athletes where sportsmanship and determination were instilled in him, Funk rapidly emerged as an extraordinary sports figure right from his early years.

Funk grew up in Damascus, Maryland, where he attended Damascus High School. He became a standout football player, garnering accolades and recognition along the way. In 2015, Funk was named the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and The Washington Post All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year. His spectacular performance during his senior season culminated in his breaking the Maryland state record for touchdowns in a season with an incredible 57.

Despite his successful senior season, he was only a moderately-rated prospect. He received scholarship offers from a diverse range of schools including the service academies, Ivy League schools, the Big Ten Schools, and more. His unique combination of strength and versatility on defense made him a desirable pick, and despite concerns about his speed, Funk received an offer from Maryland. He quickly committed to his hometown school.

He started his college football career at Maryland without redshirting. In his first game against Howard University in 2016, he impressed the audience by rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown. His performance continued to evolve throughout the season, becoming a vital player for the team in both carrying the ball and receiving. However, his junior year was cut short by an unfortunate wrist injury, followed by a torn ACL.

After another ACL injury in the following season, he returned as Maryland’s leading running back during the COVID-shortened 2021 season. Despite playing only four games in this season, Funk’s statistics were remarkable, and he led several categories within both the Big Ten Conference and the nation. Despite having two remaining seasons of eligibility, he decided to enter the 2021 NFL draft.

Funk’s journey to the NFL was not without its hurdles. Many speculated that he would go undrafted due to his perceived limitations as a runner. However, post-pro day, Mel Kiper Jr., an NFL Draft analyst mentioned that Funk was a fighter and had the qualities to find his way into a professional team. He was eventually drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

In the NFL, Funk emerged as a player of vital importance. In the 2021 season, he won the Super Bowl with the Rams, despite having dealt with a hamstring injury. However, his time with the Rams came to an end when he was waived by the team in 2022. Subsequently, Funk spent varying amounts of time with the squads of the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions. Finally, in October 2024, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Despite his exhaustive football journey, Funk found time for a personal life too. Hailing from a family of athletes, his father, Jim, was a Penn State football player, and his mother, A’Lisa, secured a national swimming title at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Besides, he has a brother, Jordan, who played football for Army and a half-brother, a skilled lacrosse player. Funk began a romantic relationship with former The Bachelor winner, Hannah Ann Sluss, in November 2021. After announcing their engagement in January 2023, the pair tied the knot on June 26, 2024.

Funk’s journey from high school footballer to NFL professional has been one of resilience, determination, and skill. He has smashed records, suffered injuries, and emerged stronger every step of the journey, his life story reiterates the power of perseverance and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.