Greg Olsen: From Miami Hurricane to NFL Star and Broadcaster

Gregory Walter Olsen Jr., born on March 11, 1985, is an American professional football sportscaster and former tight end. He played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Olsen's journey to NFL stardom began during his college years with the Miami Hurricanes. Later he became a prominent figure with the Carolina Panthers. Now he is a color commentator for NFL games on Fox Sports.

High School Career

Olsen grew up in Wayne, New Jersey, and attended Wayne Hills High School. There he played football and basketball under his father, Chris Olsen Sr. As a high school senior, he was one of three finalists for the Gatorade Player of the Year award, along with former Miami Hurricane teammate Kyle Wright. He earned USA Today first-team All-American honors as a senior in 2002. He was considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com. Olsen was listed as the No. 2 tight end in the nation in 2003. In track and field, Olsen competed in the throwing events and as a sprinter. He recorded a personal-best time of 11.40 seconds in the 100 meters.

College Career at the University of Miami

Olsen originally enrolled at the University of Notre Dame but transferred as a freshman to the University of Miami in 2003.

2003: Redshirt Season

In 2003, he was on the Hurricanes' scout team before suffering a shoulder injury and being redshirted. He was a standout on the scout team before being injured. He was named the scout team MVP for his work during practices leading up to the East Carolina game. Originally signed with Notre Dame, he attended some preseason practices there before enrolling at Miami in time for the fall semester.

2004: Freshman Season

Olsen's playing time increased during his second season. He played in nine games, starting two. Those starts came when the team opened in a two-tight end formation. He missed three games with a broken wrist. For the season, he caught 16 passes for 275 yards and one touchdown. He had an impressive average per catch of 17.2 yards. He served as the long snapper for punts before his wrist injury. In the season opener against Florida State, he started his first game as a Hurricane in a two-TE formation and caught two passes for 39 yards. He started again in a two-TE formation against Louisiana Tech and caught two passes for 30 yards. He played as the backup at Houston and caught one pass for 12 yards. He caught one pass for 23 yards at Georgia Tech. He scored his first collegiate touchdown against Louisville on a nine-yard pass from Brock Berlin. For the game, he totaled three receptions for a season-high 89 yards, including a 51-yarder. He played extensively at NC State, catching three passes for 36 yards. For the third straight game, he caught three passes, this time for 35 yards, at North Carolina. However, he suffered a broken wrist in the game. He missed the Clemson game due to his wrist injury. He returned to action at Virginia and caught one pass for 11 yards. He played as a backup against Wake Forest but did not have any receptions for the first time all season. He did not play in the last two games (Virginia Tech and the Peach Bowl vs. Florida) because of his wrist injury.

2005: Sophomore Season

He became the starter of the Miami Hurricanes in his sophomore season in 2005 after Kevin Everett was drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Bills. He was an Honorable mention All-ACC selection. He was second on the team with 31 receptions for 451 yards (14.5-yard average), with four touchdowns and a long of 57 yards. He caught at least one pass in 10 of 12 games and was one of six offensive players who started every game. He had a career game in the season opener at Florida State, catching a game-high eight passes for 137 yards, including four straight receptions on third down on the final drive of the game (for 64 yards) to keep UM’s chances alive. This marked the best performance by a UM tight end in nearly 20 years. He earned John Mackey Tight End of the Week honors. In the next game at Clemson, he was marked by defenders and held to two receptions for nine yards. He caught three passes for 25 yards vs. Colorado. He had two receptions for a team-high 72 yards vs. South Florida, including a 57-yarder over the middle that should have been a touchdown, but he was stripped of the ball at the six-yard line. He caught three passes for 31 yards vs. Duke. He tied for the team lead with three receptions for 38 yards at Temple, catching TD passes of 21 and eight yards from Kyle Wright. A week later vs. North Carolina, he tied for the team lead again with three catches for 36 yards. He had two catches for 23 yards vs. Virginia Tech. He caught two passes for 25 yards at Wake Forest, including a 10-yard touchdown pass for his fourth score of the season. In the loss to Georgia Tech, he was held without a reception. He caught three passes for 55 yards vs. Virginia. He did not have any receptions in the Peach Bowl vs. Louisiana State.

College Statistics and Accolades

During his time with the Miami Hurricanes, Olsen established himself as one of the premier tight ends in college football. He was considered by many to be the best tight end in college football. He was a strong candidate for All-America honors and the John Mackey Award. Coaches said he could be better than Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow Jr. or Bubba Franks. He was an excellent receiver on third down. In two seasons, he had career totals of 47 receptions for 726 yards and five touchdowns, with a fine 15.4-yard average per catch. He took over as the starter as a sophomore in 2005. As a freshman in 2004, he served as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Kevin Everett, the Buffalo Bills’ third-round draft choice in 2005. He ran great routes and had superb hands. He was a tough competitor who still was a target when singled on a linebacker. He was an excellent blocker. He was a highly recruited player and Parade All-American in 2002 who transferred to Miami after a short stint at Notre Dame. As a high school senior, he was one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year, along with UM teammate Kyle Wright. He spent the 2003 season on the Hurricanes’ scout team before suffering a shoulder injury. He also served as team’s long snapper for punts.

The 7th Floor Crew

In 2003, Olsen was one of the players that participated in the University of Miami's rap group, the 7th Floor Crew, under the pseudonym G-Reg.

NFL Career

Olsen's impressive college career paved the way for a successful NFL career.

Chicago Bears (2007-2010)

He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. In 2009, Olsen quickly developed a rapport with Jay Cutler, whom the Bears had acquired from the Denver Broncos. Olsen and Cutler connected for 60 receptions, for 612 yards, and eight touchdowns. He led the Bears in receptions and touchdowns, while finishing behind Devin Hester for most receiving yards. Before the 2010 season, the Bears fired Ron Turner and hired Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.

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Carolina Panthers (2011-2019)

Olsen played most of his career for the Carolina Panthers. He made three Pro Bowls with them. He became the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He finished the 2014 regular season with a career-high 84 catches, 1,008 receiving yards, as well as six touchdowns en route to the Panthers' second consecutive NFC South division title. On March 5, 2015, the Panthers signed Olsen to a three-year extension worth $22.5 million. In Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, Olsen caught eight passes including two touchdowns and a career-high 134 receiving yards. He tied a career long reception of 52 yards. In Week 6, he continued his high level of play against the Seattle Seahawks. Olsen caught seven catches for 131 yards along with a game-winning touchdown with under a minute to play. In the 2015 season, Olsen set Panthers records for career receiving yards and receptions for a tight end, both previously held by former Panther Wesley Walls. In Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, Olsen left the game with a foot injury. Olsen later confessed that his foot was broken, which was positive after an X-ray test.

Seattle Seahawks (2020)

Olsen played his final season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2020.

Broadcasting Career

Olsen is now a color commentator for NFL games on Fox Sports.

Philanthropy

Olsen founded Receptions For Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation in 2009, which helps fund cancer research. His mother Sue is a cancer survivor and inspired the creation of his foundation. One of his fundraising events includes Kicks for a Cure Kickball Tournament, the world's largest charity kickball tournament. The large-scale event is held annually each summer in Chicago's Grant Park.

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