Sports have perennially brought people close. In some cases, so close that the proximity turns into a lifelong vow. For FOX Sports’ broadcaster and reporter Jenny Taft, that is exactly what transpired. A former varsity athlete in her time, Taft met her future husband, Matt Gilroy, through their shared interest in sports. They say matches are made in heaven, but this one was made at Boston College.

Jenny Taft represented the school’s lacrosse team, while Matt Gilroy was a superstar defender on the hockey team. His stock at the time is evidenced by the fact he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2009. The accolade is the hockey equivalent of the Heisman and is presented to the best collegiate player in the country. Gilroy and the Boston College Terriers even won the NCAA Championship in the same season. While Taft interviews a plethora of talent on CFB sidelines, little is known about the stellar trophy cabinet gracing her own house!

After leaving Boston College, Gilroy took his talents to the NHL. While he was initially undrafted, he signed with the NY Rangers. During a 6 year stint in the NHL, Matt Gilroy represented 4 different franchises. He also played in the AHL during the 2012/13 lockout. While he traversed through the big league, Jenny Taft had already begun her sportscasting career and was moving through the ranks at FOX.

The couple got married in 2016, and their professional lives continued blossoming parallel to each other.  Both their careers went from strength to strength as Matt Gilroy represented the USA Men’s Hockey team. This was a particularly big milestone for the two. Jenny’s father, John Taft, was also a member of the same faction in the 1976 Winter Olympics. Talk about things coming full circle.

Gilroy saw out the twilight of his career in the National League in Switzerland in 2019 before retiring. Around this time, Jenny Taft was front and centre in the national lens for sports fans everywhere. She was the moderator for Undisputed, then FOX’s flagship show. The couple welcomed a kid in 2022.

Early tragedy in Matt Gilroy’s life moulded his ensuing career

Similar to the Tafts, the Gilroy clan also has a lineage of sports across generations. Matt’s father, Frank Gilroy, is a member of the St. John’s Basketball HOF. He was also drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, it has not always been smooth sailing for the Gilroys. Tragedy struck the family at an untimely juncture and has stuck with them ever since.

Matt Gilroy has always worn the number 97 in his career. Fans would think this very high jersey number is an homage to the GOAT Wayne Gretzky. They’d be correct; however, there is a deeper meaning. Matt wore 97 in remembrance of his brother Timmy, who died as the result of a bicycle accident at the age of 8. Matt and Timmy wore the numbers 98 and 97, respectively, while growing up. After the tragedy, Matt Gilroy adopted his brother’s number. 

Team policies at Boston College previously didn’t allow players to wear high numbers. However, given the circumstances, Gilroy was allowed to wear 97. His wife has assuredly been a pillar of strength for him in dealing with this. Now retired, Matt Gilroy now rests on his many laurels as Jenny Taft continues to ply her trade in the CFB broadcasting realm.