Jermaine Kearse

Jermaine Levan Kearse (born February 6, 1990) is a former American football wide receiver. He played eight seasons in National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and later won Super Bowl XLVIII with the team, beating the Denver Broncos. Kearse played college football at Washington. Kearse also played for the New York Jets and Detroit Lions.

Jermaine Kearse
Kearse with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014
No. 15, 10, 18, 11
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1990-02-06) February 6, 1990
Lakewood, Washington
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Lakes (Lakewood, Washington)
College:Washington
Undrafted:2012
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:255
Receiving yards:3,290
Receiving touchdowns:17
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Kearse grew up as a military brat; his father was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.[1] While living at Fort Lewis (now Joint Base Lewis–McChord), south of Tacoma, Washington, he attended Lakes High School in Lakewood and played high school football for the Lancers.[2] As a senior, he caught 54 passes for 903 yards and eight touchdowns.[3]

College career

Kearse attended the University of Washington in nearby Seattle, playing for the Huskies of the Pac-12 Conference.[4] In his time there, he played under head coaches Tyrone Willingham and Steve Sarkesian.[5] As a true freshman in 2008, he played in all 12 games, with two starts, and had 20 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns.[6] As a sophomore in 2009 in his first season with Sarkesian, Kearse started nine of 12 games and led the team in receptions with 50; yards with 866; and touchdowns with eight.[7] He was named a second-team All-Pac-10 selection.[8]

As a junior in 2010, Kearse started all 13 games and again led the team in receptions with 63 for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns.[9][10] He was named second team All-Pac-10 for the second consecutive year.[11] As a senior in 2011, he had 47 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.[12]

Statistics
ReceivingRushingScrimmage
YearTeamGamesRecYdsAvgTDsAttYdsAvgTdsTchYdsAvgTds
2008Washington 122030115.12000.002030115.12
2009Washington 125086617.38122.0051868178
2010Washington 1363100516.012000.006310051612
2011Washington 134769914.972136.514971214.58
Total 501802,87116.0293155.011832,88615.830

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 0 7⁄8 in
(1.85 m)		 209 lb
(95 kg)		 32 1⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		 9 1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.58 s1.60 s2.65 s4.12 s7.03 s34 in
(0.86 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		14 reps
All values from NFL Combine[13][14]

2012 season

Kearse was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2012.[15] he made his NFL debut on November 4 and had a six-yard reception against the Minnesota Vikings.[16] He appeared in seven games as a rookie for Seattle in 2012, finishing with three catches for 31 yards and playing on special teams.[17] Kearse underwent LASIK surgery during the offseason to improve his vision.[18]

2013 season

During the 2013 season in a Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers, Kearse caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson late in the fourth quarter to lift the Seahawks to a 12–7 score. The score was the first of Kearse's professional career.[19]

In a Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Kearse had a 28-yard reception for a touchdown, and blocked a punt which resulted in a safety in the 34–28 loss.[20] In Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, he scored a 43-yard touchdown after a trick play when Marshawn Lynch threw the ball back to Russell Wilson in the 33–10 victory.[21] In 2013, Kearse played 15 games with 346 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.[22]

In the 2013 NFC Championship Game on January 19, 2014, against division rival San Francisco 49ers, Kearse caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Wilson. The Seahawks eventually won the game 23–17 and advanced to Super Bowl XLVIII.[23] During the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos, Kearse had four catches for 65 yards including a 23-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, breaking four tackles to get into the endzone. The Seahawks won 43–8, giving Kearse and the team their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.[24]

2014 season

In the 2014 regular season, Kearse played 15 games with 537 receiving yards and a touchdown.[25] In Week 5, against the Washington Redskins, he caught his lone touchdown of the season in the 27–17 victory.[26]

In Week 3, in a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch against the Denver Broncos, Kearse threw the first pass of his NFL career, a 17-yard pass to Russell Wilson, in the 26–20 overtime victory.[27]

In a 2014 NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers, Kearse continued his streak of catching touchdowns in postseason games with a 63-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter, catching the ball with one hand. He would catch two other passes in the game, each going for 33 yards, and lead all receivers with 129 receiving yards on his three catches. The Seahawks won 31–17 and advanced to the NFC Championship.[28]

In the 2014 NFC Championship Game versus the Green Bay Packers, Kearse caught his only completion, a 35-yard game-winning overtime touchdown to give Seattle a 28–22 win after falling behind 16–0 at halftime. The victory sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. Kearse had been targeted on five throws earlier in the game, the first four being intercepted (two of them tipped by Kearse) and the fifth being incomplete.[29] It was the fourth straight postseason game in which Kearse caught a touchdown pass.

In the final minute of Super Bowl XLIX, Kearse caught the ball after a Wilson pass was tipped by cornerback Malcolm Butler and the ball bounced four times off Kearse's body before he secured the ball. The play seemingly looked to be a remake of the Helmet Catch. However, Malcolm Butler intercepted Wilson at the goal line with under 30 seconds remaining, therefore foiling the Seahawks a chance for the second championship in a row as they lost to the Patriots 28-24.[30][31]

2015 season

In the 2015 season, Kearse caught eight passes for 76 yards in the season-opening 34–31 overtime loss in St. Louis against the Rams, setting a new single-game high for receptions (breaking his previous record of five).[32] In Week 5 in Cincinnati, Kearse caught his first touchdown of the season on a 30-yard pass from Wilson in the 27–24 loss.[33] In Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kearse recorded 4 receptions for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns, in the 39–30 victory for his first career multi-touchdown game.[34] In Week 15, against the Cleveland Browns, he had a career-high 110 receiving yards in the 30–13 victory.[35] Kearse started all 16 games for the first time of his career and finished the year with 685 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns.[36]

In the Divisional Round against the Carolina Panthers, Kearse had 11 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Seahawks lost by a score of 31–24.[37]

2016 season

In the 2016 season, Kearse caught 41 passes for 511 yards and one touchdown.[38] Seattle won the NFC West and made the playoffs. His lone touchdown came in Week 16, against the Arizona Cardinals in the 34–31 defeat on Christmas Eve.[39] They defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round before falling to the eventual NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round.[40][41]

2017 season

On September 1, 2017, Kearse, along with a 2018 second-round draft pick, were traded to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.[42]

Kearse with the Jets on December 3, 2017

On September 10, in the season opener, Kearse made his Jets debut, recording seven receptions for 59 yards in the 21–12 loss to the Buffalo Bills.[43] In Week 2, against the Oakland Raiders, he had four receptions for 64 yards and his first two receiving touchdowns with the Jets, both coming from quarterback Josh McCown. His performance against the Raiders was only the second multi-touchdown game of his career.[44] During Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers, Kearse had 7 receptions for 105 receiving yards and a touchdown. He and fellow receiver Robby Anderson both had over 100 receiving yards in the same game in a Jets lost 35-27.[45] During Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Kearse had another outstanding performance, highlighted by a spectacular one-handed catch by the sideline boundary line and a 51-yard reception play later in the game. He finished the game with 9 receptions and 157 receiving yards as the Jets won 38-31.[46][47] Overall, in the 2017 season, he finished with 65 receptions for 810 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.[48]

2018 season

Kearse started the 2018 season with seven receptions for 71 yards in his first four games.[49] In Week 6, against the Indianapolis Colts, he had nine receptions for a season-high 94 yards.[50] He had his first receiving touchdown of the season in Week 11 against the New England Patriots.[51]

Detroit Lions

On June 6, 2019, Kearse signed with the Detroit Lions.[52] On August 8, 2019, Kearse suffered a broken leg early in the first quarter in Week 1 of the preseason against the New England Patriots.[53] He was placed on injured reserve on August 10, 2019.[54]

Kearse announced his retirement on September 29, 2020.[55]

NFL career statistics
YearTeamGamesReceivingRushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2012SEA 7133110.3170—————00
2013SEA 1552234615.7434—————10
2014SEA 15143853714.16012157.511000
2015SEA 16164968514.0505—————10
2016SEA 16154151012.5361—————00
2017NYJ 16146581012.5515—————10
2018NYJ 1493737110291—————00
Career9974255329012.960172157.511030

[56]

Business ventures and endorsements

On July 28, 2017, Kitsap Credit Union and Jermaine Kearse announced a formal partnership.[57] Kearse acted as the credit union's celebrity spokesperson from August 2017 through April 2018.

Personal life

Kearse married Marisa Ventura. The couple have two daughters.[58] Kearse is a Christian.[59]

See also

References
  1. "For Seahawks Wide Receiver Jermaine Kearse, His Foundation's Work With Military Families is Personal". Seattle Seahawks. November 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  2. "Lakes High School cheers on one of their alumni — Seahawks' Jermaine Kearse". Q13 FOX News. January 31, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. "Local Boy Jermaine Kearse Traded by Seahawks, Now a Star for NY Jets". The Suburban Times. October 13, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  4. "Jermaine Kearse College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  5. "Washington Huskies Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  6. "Jermaine Kearse 2008 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  7. "Jermaine Kearse 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  8. "Three Huskies Named To All-Pac-10 Second Team". Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
  9. "2010 Washington Huskies Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. "Jermaine Kearse 2010 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  11. First-Teamer Foster Leads UW On All-Pac-10 Team Archived December 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Jermaine Kearse 2011 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  13. "NFL Draft Profile: Jermaine Kearse". NFL.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  14. "2012 Combine workout: Jermaine Kearse". nfl.com. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  15. "Seahawks sign Huskies' free-agent WR Kearse". HeraldNet.com. April 28, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  16. "Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks - November 4th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  17. "Jermaine Kearse 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  18. "Jermaine Kearse seeing things more clearly in second year".
  19. "Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers - September 8th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  20. Time of Poss. "Watch Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts [10/06/2013". NFL.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  21. "Seahawks vs. Falcons: Three Pivotal Plays". The Falcoholic. November 13, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  22. "Jermaine Kearse 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  23. "Richard Sherman's tip leads Seahawks to Super Bowl". NFL.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  24. Final (February 2, 2014). "Seahawks vs. Broncos - Box Score - February 2, 2014 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
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  27. "Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks - September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  28. Final (January 10, 2015). "Panthers vs. Seahawks - Box Score - January 10, 2015 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  29. "Russell Wilson, Jermaine Kearse come through for Seahawks - Seattle Seahawks Blog- ESPN". Espn.go.com. January 19, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  30. "Super Bowl XLIX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 1st, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  31. Reiss, Mike (February 2, 2015). "Little-known Malcolm Butler an unlikely hero for Patriots". ESPN. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  32. "Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams - September 13th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  33. "Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals - October 11th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  34. "Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks - November 29th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  35. "Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks - December 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  36. "Jermaine Kearse 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  37. "Divisional Round - Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers - January 17th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  38. "Jermaine Kearse 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  39. "Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks - December 24th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  40. "Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks - January 7th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  41. "Divisional Round - Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons - January 14th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  42. Boyle, John (September 1, 2017). "Seahawks Trade WR Jermaine Kearse And Second-Round Pick To Jets For DE Sheldon Richardson; Swap Seventh-Round Picks". Seahawks.com.
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  44. "New York Jets at Oakland Raiders - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  45. "Carolina Panthers at New York Jets - November 26th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  46. "SEE IT: Jermaine Kearse makes incredible one-handed diving catch for Jets". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  47. "Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets - December 3rd, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  48. "Jermaine Kearse 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  49. "Jermaine Kearse 2018 Game Log (Games 1–4)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  50. Braziller, Zach (October 14, 2018). "Sam Darnold has a new favorite after receiver's bust-out". New York Post. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  51. "Jermaine Kearse scores first TD of season against Patriots". 247 Sports. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  52. "Lions sign free agent WR Jermaine Kearse". DetroitLions.com. June 6, 2019.
  53. https://larrybrownsports.com/football/lions-jermaine-kearse-carted-off-leg-injury/508276
  54. "Lions sign free agent QB Josh Johnson and free agent RB Justin Stockton". DetroitLions.com. August 10, 2019.
  55. "Former Seahawks WR Jermaine Kearse retires after eight NFL seasons". NFL.com. September 29, 2020.
  56. "Jermaine Kearse NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  57. "Kitsap Credit Union and Jermaine Kearse Form Partnership". kitsapcu.org. July 28, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  58. "Seahawks WR Jermaine Kearse is 'loving every moment' of fatherhood". Seahawks Wire. July 27, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  59. Mercer, Kevin. "WR Jermaine Kearse retires from NFL, looks forward to 'what God has planned'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
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