Linebacker Zack Baun and his parents come from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baun grew up mostly with his single mother, Genell Baun, and has never discussed his father’s role in helping him grow as a player or a man.
Baun, age 28, will make his first Super Bowl appearance on February 9, 2025, against the Kansas City Chiefs.
This season was the first time Zack started in the playoffs in his NFL career. Previously, when he played for the Saints, Baun played in two playoff games but didn’t start in any.
Drafted by the Saints in the third round as the 74th overall pick, the former Wisconsin player, Baun, was a star for the Eagles against the Commanders in the NFC Championship game.
Against the Commanders, Baun made 12 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
We 💚 Zack Baun@zackbizzaun | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/dwajIehTDt
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 26, 2025
In the game’s first quarter, he also made a decisive “Peanut Punch” against the Commanders‘ wide receiver Dyami Brown.
Brown ran into Cooper DeJean and Baun on the sideline, which led to DeJean wrapping him up and Baun perfectly executing the punch. Reed Blankenship then recovered the ball freed up by Baun.
Zack Baun has been one of the Eagle’s surprise packages this season. The team signed him on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million in 2024, and he has certainly exceeded the expectations.
Spotrac has projected the linebacker’s market value at over $19.4 million over two years. So, even if the Eagles do not extend his contract, Baun has many suitors in the NFL after his terrific 2024 season.
The NFL Linebacker Zack Baun’s Mother, Genell Bown, Proudly Shares Her Son’s Journey to NFL!
Previously, speaking to the New Orleans Saints website, Zack Baun’s mother, Genell Bown, talked about her son’s sacrifice and hard work to make it to the NFL.
Genell also revealed that before she got Zack into football, she made him join a dance academy.
In her interview, Genell said Zack and one other boy were the only two boys in the dance academy.
Then he played soccer, and Genell thought he would stick with it. She revealed Zack was good at soccer, especially when he played as a goalkeeper.
The single mother also talked about her son’s leadership qualities that had set in at a young age.
After every season, Baun would write a thank-you note to each of the kids on the team and acknowledge their contribution to the side.
After soccer, Baun started playing tennis and later explored his musical talent.
Genell said Zack picked up the bass, and one day, she overheard other parents talking about her son playing the instrument with great ease.
A proud mother, Genell, praised her son, saying he would give his 100% on whatever he worked on.
At Brown Deer High School, Zack started showing interest in basketball and football.
Straight off the bat, Zack impressed the basketball and football coaches with his explosiveness.
Though basketball was what many thought he would make his career in, he decided to go with football.
After that, Baun’s love for football only grew, leading him to become an NFL star.
Zack Baun’s Mother, Genell Baun, Works For a Charity!
Work Plus Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1985 to provide quality, community-based services to adults with disabilities.
Before joining Work Plus Inc., Genell worked at Madison Metropolitan School District and MSCR-Madison School & Community Recreation.
In short, Genell has always been someone heavily involved in community work and helping those around her grow.
Genell Baun is available on Facebook and has shared several posts to help other communities, including LGBTQ+, gaining support.
After her son’s team defeated the Commanders and reached the Super Bowl, the proud mother shared a few posts for her son.
At first, she shared a photo of Zack during his Wisconsin days. Genell then changed her profile picture to the Defensive Player of the Year nomination, which included her son.
Zack has been nominated for DPOY alongside Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, Pat Surtain II, and T.J. Watt.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2024, Zack Baun made the First-team All-Pro for the first time in his NFL career. His teammate Saquon Barkley also made it to the First-team All-Pro. Other teammates, including A.J. Brown, Jalen Carter, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata, made it to the Second-team All-Pro.
- Zack Baun met his wife, Ali Duquaine, at the University of Wisconsin, and the two tied the knot in 2020. The couple welcomed their son, Elian Baun, on April 8, 2024.
