Former soccer star Brandi Chastain husband, Jerry Wayne Smith, is a soccer coach of the Women’s soccer program at Santa Clara University.
Brandi Denise Chastain, an American former soccer player, was born on July 21, 1968. She played for the US National Team from 1988 to 2004. Chastain currently works as a coach and as a sports broadcaster.
The former soccer player had a successful career. She has won two gold medals and a silver medal in the Olympics. In the Women’s FIFA World Cup 1999 final, she scored a world cup-winning penalty shootout.
Similarly, in 2013, Chastain was named to the USWNT All-Time Best XI. She was also inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in March 2017 and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
The former soccer star is also very generous and supports the right causes. She has partnered with AbbVie Inc., a pharmaceutical company, to educate people about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Brandi Chastain Husband: Jerry
Jerry Wayne Smith is a soccer coach born on December 31, 1960.
Smith started his career as a head boy’s soccer coach in 1980 at Homestead High School in Cupertino, California. He coached there for almost seven seasons.
He was an assistant men’s soccer coach from 1982 to 1986 at Foothill College. Later, in the year 1986, he switched to women’s soccer head coach at Foothill.
Jerry led the team to NCCA Division twice and to the 10 Women’s Coast Conference. He also won the National Coach of the Year in 2001.
Brandi Chastain and Jerry Smith have been together for more than two decades. The couple spelled their wedding vows on June 9, 1996.
The duo has a son named Jaden Chastain Smith. Before their marriage, Jerry had a son named Cameron Smith from his previous relationship.
Jaden calls his older brother Camo. The two brothers seem to be very close. The younger one always goes for a hug whenever he sees his older brother talking to Brandi.
Chastain and Cameron had a very understanding and respectful relationship. She remembers the time when young Cameron used to sit in the Rose Bowl with the number 6, her number printed into his hair, and a flag in his hand.
Brandi Chastain’s Brain For C.T.E. Research
Brandi Chastain, a mother, and a coach, has agreed to donate her brain to Concussion Legacy Foundation and researchers at Boston University for C.T.E. research.
CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that has been linked to repetitive head trauma, such as concussions or subconcussive blows. It is speculated to be triggered by blows to the head and is a major topic in soccer and boxing.
CTE has been identified in a number of male soccer players, and analysts believe that heading the ball is what causes it.
CTE can only be diagnosed through brain analysis after death. Therefore, a person has to donate their brain after their death to carry out the research.
Brandi Chastain, following Cindy Parlow Cone, is the second national team member to agree to donate her brain. She made this decision in her hometown of San Jose.
When asked about her motivation, she stated that donating her brain could protect children and bring positive change to soccer.
