Greg Olsen never fails to hail his wife and kids as his strongest support system! The former NFL TE, who is currently a sports analyst is thoroughly ambitious about football, despite his retirement. Enjoying a 14-year-long admirable NFL career, mostly with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, his records as one of the best TEs cannot be surpassed. Transitioning to FOX Sports as a color commentator in 2020, he continues to make ripples in the football world.

But, as it goes, Greg’s off-field backing from his better half, Kara Olsen needs equal recognition. Together, they have made it through the ups and downs, especially battling their son T.J.’s complex health condition, and subsequently establishing the nonprofit, The HEARTest Yard Foundation.

Who is Kara Olsen?

Kara Olsen, neé Kara Dooley, is Greg Olsen’s wife. Their relationship has even crossed the two-decade mark, dating each other since their university days. The couple got married back in March 2009. They crossed paths at the University of Miami in 2003, after Greg’s transfer from Notre Dame. Reminiscing the past with a tinge of humor, Greg recalls the first impression she had on him, “She had short shorts on. They said ‘CANES’ across the butt. … I remember them. I remember you in them.” And definitely, she was unmissable.

And, they let the sparks fly. What started as friendship, it transformed into romance. They started to spend time with each other, watching late-night TV shows, like The Bachelor and Newlyweds. When Kara went out on a date with someone else, Greg found it quite unsettling. Recalling the event, Kara adds, “I remember [Greg] sat outside the dorms and watched as I left and asked me what time I was going to be back.”

And, things took a turn when Greg finally asked her out. With dinner at PF Chang’s, while watching Mean Girls later, they sealed the deal. Since then they’ve been supportive of each other, despite Greg’s demanding schedule. Greg adds, “She understood the sacrifice that came with what I did, and she was always a great supporter.” Both of them support each other, as Kara remarks, “In his moments of weakness, I try to step in. In my moments of weakness, he’s always done a good job of stepping in.”

The couple share three children together, i.e., son Tate and twins, Talbot and T.J. And, with their beloved German Shepherd, Tuck, they’ve completed their family. Adoring Kara’s role in the family, Greg even remarked, “She cooks, she’s a great mom, she’s always taking care of the kids. She’s in the backyard with the dog. She never sits, never naps, never even watches TV. I don’t know how she does it.” And, being there for each other, helped the couple to battle the tough times concerning their son T.J.’s heart transplant.

Opening a foundation after son’s heart transplant

When T.J. was born in 2012, the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome left the Olsens devastated. Undergoing open-heart surgery right after birth, and another major surgery before turning one, was quite stressful for them. Talking about it, Greg adds, “What he’s gone through in his first eight months of life is more than any of us have gone through in a lifetime.”

And, to cope with the situation, in 2013, the Olsens established the HEARTest Yard Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping children with similar issues. Furthermore, in 2020 they took to partner with Levine Children’s Hospital, opening The HEARTest Yard Congenital Heart Center.

Talking about T.J.’s journey and the hospital visits, Greg added, “While we are in the hospital we make sure it is clear that we are only there as T.J.’s family. We enjoy getting to know the other families and being a support system for one another.” The main motive was to build a sense of companionship between the various CHD families, as he adds, “The [congenital heart defect] family network is incredibly strong and tight-knit. It is something truly special.”

Later, in 2021, T.J. had to undergo another heart transplant. And, when T.J. rang the hospital bell after he recovered, the Olsens were overwhelmed. They continue to navigate the journey together while cherishing the smallest moments of their lives.