Andrew East: From NFL Long Snapper to FamilyMade Founder

Introduction

Andrew East is an American former professional football long snapper, entrepreneur, podcast host and digital creator. He is known for playing college football at Vanderbilt University, joining several NFL organisations and later building a family-focused media career with his wife, Olympic champion Shawn Johnson East.

He appeared in three regular-season NFL games for Washington in 2018. After leaving professional football, he moved into podcasting, online video, business and writing.

Today, Andrew is a co-founder of FamilyMade, a media company that creates content about marriage, parenting, personal growth and family life.

Andrew East Quick Facts

Detail	Verified information
Full name	Andrew Dean East
Date of birth	17 September 1991
Age	34 years old, as of July 2026
Birthplace	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Nationality	American
Profession	Former football player, entrepreneur, podcast host and author
Football position	Long snapper
College	Vanderbilt University
NFL regular-season games	Three
Wife	Shawn Johnson East
Children	Three
Current company	FamilyMade
Known for	Football, family media, podcasts and online content

Who Is Andrew East?

Andrew East is a former American football player who later became a successful media creator and entrepreneur.

During his sports career, he specialised as a long snapper. This position is responsible for delivering accurate snaps during punts and field-goal attempts. It is a highly technical role in which one small mistake can change the result of a game.

Andrew played college football for Vanderbilt before joining several professional teams. His NFL journey included many signings, releases and fresh opportunities.

Instead of allowing those setbacks to end his progress, he used the experience to build a different career. He now speaks openly about commitment, family, discipline and continuing when life does not follow the expected plan.

Early Life in Indianapolis

Andrew Dean East was born on 17 September 1991 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

He grew up in a sports-connected family. His father, Guy East, played college football at Purdue University as a tight end and long snapper.

Andrew attended North Central High School in Indianapolis. He played linebacker, handled long-snapping duties and became a team captain.

He was also recognised for his academic work. His school achievements included Indiana Academic All-State recognition.

Outside football, Andrew became an Eagle Scout. He also participated in competitive cycling and enjoyed outdoor activities.

These early experiences helped him develop teamwork, patience and leadership skills before he entered college football.

Education at Vanderbilt University

Andrew attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

He joined the Vanderbilt Commodores football programme in 2010 and remained with the team through the 2014 season. He completed an engineering bachelor’s degree and later earned an MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

His exact undergraduate engineering subject is described differently across official university pages. Some Vanderbilt records call it civil engineering, while another university profile lists mechanical engineering. Therefore, it is safest to describe his qualification simply as an engineering degree.

His official Vanderbilt football profile records that he handled the team’s long-snapping responsibilities in all 51 games of his college career.

Andrew also earned academic and community recognition. He was selected for the SEC Academic Honor Roll and became a member of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.

Vanderbilt Football Career

Andrew became one of Vanderbilt’s most reliable special-teams players.

He appeared in 51 college games and completed every long snap required during his Vanderbilt career. He was also elected as a team captain twice.

Long snappers rarely receive the same public attention as quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers. However, their accuracy is essential during punts, extra points and field-goal attempts.

Andrew’s consistency helped him gain professional opportunities after college.

His college honours included:

• Two-time Vanderbilt team captain
• SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition
• National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society membership
• Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection
• Wuerffel Trophy finalist recognition
• Invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl

His community work was an important part of his college identity. Vanderbilt recognised him not only as a player but also as a student and volunteer.

Starting His Professional Football Journey

Andrew was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft.

However, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent. This gave him an opportunity to compete for a place on an NFL roster.

He was released before the regular season, but he continued pursuing his professional goal.

Over the following years, he spent time with several organisations, including:

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Seattle Seahawks
• Oakland Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Washington
• Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football

His career included repeated contracts, training camps and roster cuts. This meant he often had to move, learn a new system and compete for another opportunity.

The experience later became an important part of his public message about perseverance.

Andrew East’s NFL Games

Andrew reached the NFL regular season with Washington in December 2018.

The team signed him after long snapper Nick Sundberg was placed on injured reserve. Andrew appeared in three regular-season games during the final part of the 2018 season.

Those three appearances were the only regular-season NFL games of his career.

Traditional statistics do not fully explain the work of a long snapper. The position is mainly judged through accuracy, timing and consistency rather than tackles, yards or touchdowns.

Washington kept him into the following offseason before releasing him in August 2019.

Retirement From Professional Football

Andrew publicly announced his retirement from professional football in February 2022.

His retirement closed a journey that had included college success, several professional contracts and three NFL appearances.

Although his time on an active NFL roster was brief, his career showed how difficult it is to remain in professional football. Players outside the most famous positions often compete for very limited roster places.

Andrew later used these experiences in podcasts, videos and public discussions about rejection, identity and changing direction.

Marriage to Shawn Johnson East

Andrew is married to Shawn Johnson East, a former artistic gymnast who represented the United States.

Shawn won four medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, including gold on the balance beam. She later retired from professional gymnastics and developed a career in media, business and public speaking.

Andrew and Shawn were introduced in 2012 through Andrew’s brother. Their relationship later became serious, and Andrew proposed at Wrigley Field in Chicago in July 2015.

They married on 16 April 2016 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Both understand the pressure of elite sport. Their shared athletic background has influenced how they speak about discipline, competition, failure and family life.

Readers interested in another relationship shaped by professional sport can explore the story of a former Olympic athlete and family figure.

Andrew East’s Children

Andrew and Shawn have three children.

Their daughter, Drew Hazel East, was born in October 2019. Their son, Jett James East, was born in July 2021. Their youngest child, Barrett “Bear” Madison East, was born in December 2023.

The couple share selected parts of their family life through videos, podcasts and interviews. However, their public content usually focuses on general parenting experiences rather than revealing every private detail about their children.

Andrew frequently discusses fatherhood, family routines, responsibility and the challenges of raising young children.

As of 2026, the couple have publicly said that they consider their family complete.

Building a Digital Media Career

Andrew and Shawn began sharing videos about their daily lives, marriage and professional experiences.

Their content attracted a large online audience because it combined humour with honest conversations about difficult subjects.

They have discussed topics such as:

• Marriage communication
• Parenting challenges
• Career changes
• Pregnancy and family growth
• Athletic pressure
• Personal failure
• Setting goals
• Remaining committed during difficult periods

Andrew’s business education also helped him understand how an audience could be developed into a long-term media company.

His move into online business reflects a wider change in modern media, where a digital creator and business founder can build a company around a loyal online community.

FamilyMade

Andrew and Shawn co-founded FamilyMade, a media business focused on family, marriage, parenting and personal development.

The company produces podcasts, videos and other digital content. Its goal is to create useful and encouraging conversations for couples, parents and families.

Andrew has held a leadership role within the company and has publicly described himself as its president.

FamilyMade allows the couple to produce content under their own business rather than depending only on traditional television companies or outside media platforms.

The company’s work includes several podcasts hosted by Andrew, Shawn and other creators.

Couple Things Podcast

Andrew and Shawn host Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew.

The podcast began in 2019 and focuses on relationships, marriage, parenting and personal growth.

Episodes often include interviews with couples, experts, athletes, entertainers and business figures. Guests discuss how they handle communication, disagreements, career pressure and major changes.

The podcast is designed to make serious relationship subjects easier to understand.

Andrew often brings a practical and analytical approach to discussions, while Shawn shares experiences from elite gymnastics, motherhood and public life.

Their different viewpoints create open conversations rather than presenting marriage as perfect or effortless.

Redirected Podcast

Andrew also hosts Redirected, a FamilyMade podcast about unexpected changes in life.

The programme features guests whose careers or personal plans moved in a different direction from what they originally expected.

This subject closely matches Andrew’s own experience.

He wanted to build a long professional football career, but repeated roster changes eventually pushed him towards media and entrepreneurship.

Through the podcast, he explores how people respond when an original plan fails, changes or becomes impossible.

The Courage to Commit

Andrew and Shawn co-wrote The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something.

The book was released in June 2026.

It examines commitment in relationships, careers, personal goals and everyday decisions. The authors use stories from sport, marriage, parenting and business to explain why long-term progress often requires patience.

The book does not suggest that people should remain in every situation without question. Instead, it explores how meaningful commitments can provide direction when motivation becomes weak.

Its main themes include:

• Perseverance
• Decision-making
• Marriage
• Career development
• Personal responsibility
• Working through setbacks
• Building meaningful goals

The project brought together Andrew’s football experience, business knowledge and family-focused media work.

Television Appearances

Andrew has appeared on reality and competition television.

He competed on American Ninja Warrior, a programme that challenges participants to complete difficult obstacle courses.

In 2025, he joined Shawn on the fourth season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.

The programme placed celebrity contestants in demanding military-style challenges in Morocco. Andrew reached the final group of contestants but did not complete the last stage.

His appearance showed the physical fitness and competitive mindset he developed through football.

It also gave viewers another look at how Andrew and Shawn support each other during stressful situations.

Business and Investment Work

Andrew’s professional life extends beyond podcasts and online videos.

His main public business project is FamilyMade. He has also participated in investment opportunities with Shawn.

In 2022, the couple joined the investor group connected with Angel City Football Club, a professional women’s football team in the United States.

Their investment linked them with a sports organisation built around women’s professional competition, community support and commercial growth.

Andrew’s background in engineering, business education, professional sport and media gives him experience across several industries.

Charity and Community Support

Community service has been part of Andrew’s public life since college.

His work at Vanderbilt helped him earn national recognition through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Andrew and Shawn later created the Moment Makers Foundation.

Before the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, they committed $250,000 to help athlete parents with childcare costs. The support could be used for travel, caregivers and other family needs connected with competing at the Games.

The couple have also worked with March of Dimes, an organisation supporting the health of mothers and babies.

Their charity work often connects sport with family support.

Why Andrew East’s Story Matters

Andrew’s career did not follow one straight path.

He moved from high school football to Vanderbilt, entered the NFL as an undrafted player and experienced several roster cuts. He eventually reached the regular season, but his professional playing career remained short.

Instead of allowing football to define his entire identity, he used his education and public platform to enter a new industry.

His journey shows that success can change shape.

For Andrew, leaving football did not mean losing every skill he had developed. Discipline, teamwork, communication and perseverance remained useful in business, media and family life.

He turned a difficult career transition into a new public role based on helping people understand commitment and change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andrew East?

Andrew East is an American former professional football long snapper, entrepreneur, podcast host, author and digital media creator.

How old is Andrew East?

He is 34 years old as of July 2026. He was born on 17 September 1991.

Where was Andrew East born?

He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.

What NFL team did Andrew East play for?

He appeared in three regular-season games for Washington during the 2018 NFL season. He also spent time with several other NFL organisations.

What position did Andrew East play?

He played as a long snapper.

Where did Andrew East attend college?

He attended Vanderbilt University, where he played in 51 football games and completed engineering and business studies.

Is Andrew East married?

Yes. He is married to former Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East.

How many children do Andrew East and Shawn Johnson have?

They have three children: Drew, Jett and Barrett, who is also called Bear.

What is FamilyMade?

FamilyMade is a family-focused media company co-founded by Andrew and Shawn. It produces podcasts, videos and content about relationships, parenting and personal development.

What podcasts does Andrew East host?

He co-hosts Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew and hosts Redirected.

Did Andrew East retire from football?

Yes. He publicly announced his retirement from professional football in February 2022.

Did Andrew East write a book?

Yes. He and Shawn co-wrote The Courage to Commit, released in June 2026.

Conclusion

Andrew East is a former NFL long snapper who successfully moved into entrepreneurship, podcasting, writing and family media.

His football journey included 51 college games at Vanderbilt, contracts with several professional organisations and three regular-season appearances for Washington.

After leaving the sport, he co-founded FamilyMade, developed popular podcasts and built an online platform with Shawn Johnson East.

His story is not only about football. It is about adapting when a goal changes, using old skills in a new career and continuing to move forward after disappointment.