Ben Niemann Bio
Ben Niemann is an American professional football linebacker born on July 27, 1995, in Des Moines, Iowa. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. Over his career, Niemann has played for several teams, including the Chiefs, Cardinals, Titans, and currently, the Broncos, showcasing his skills as a linebacker and contributing to notable team achievements, including a Super Bowl championship.
Early Life and Background
Ben Niemann is the son of Jay and Lou Ann Niemann. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved several times growing up due to his father’s job as a football coach. Niemann attended Sycamore High School in Sycamore, Illinois, where he played football and basketball. In football, he played wide receiver and safety and was named first-team all-state as a junior and senior. His early exposure to sports and the influence of his father’s coaching career laid the foundation for his future in football.
Path to American Football
Niemann played four seasons for the Iowa Hawkeyes, making 53 appearances and starting the last 40 games of his career. He played mostly on special teams and as a reserve linebacker as a true freshman, blocking a punt and returning the ball for a touchdown against Northwestern. Niemann became a starter at outside linebacker for Iowa going into his sophomore year and garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors after making 45 tackles, four sacks, and two pass break-ups. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten again as a senior after making 80 tackles, six for loss, a sack, five passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. Over the course of his career, Niemann accumulated 201 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Ben Niemann Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Ben Niemann signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent and made the final 53-man roster out of training camp. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, playing on special teams. Niemann made his first career start on November 11 in the Chiefs’ 26–14 win over the Arizona Cardinals and led the team with six tackles. Niemann finished his rookie season with 10 tackles made in 14 games played, mostly on special teams, and appeared in both the Chiefs postseason games, defending a pass in the endzone against the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round and making two tackles on special teams in the American Football Conference Championship game against the New England Patriots.
Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Niemann finished the 2019 regular season with 56 tackles, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery in 16 games played, including one start. He had six tackles in the postseason, including a tackle and a hit on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to force an errant throw on third down in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory. In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, Niemann recorded his first career sack on Lamar Jackson and recovered a fumble lost by Jackson during the 34–20 win. Overall, in the 2020 season, Niemann finished with 44 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Notable Works and Milestones
Niemann’s signature work includes his contribution to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory. He has accumulated notable statistics throughout his career, including a total of 264 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, seven fumble recoveries, and four pass deflections as of 2024.
Ben Niemann Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Ben Niemann has been recognized for his contributions on the field, including being part of the Super Bowl-winning team.
Ben Niemann Awards Won
Ben Niemann is a Super Bowl champion, having achieved this title with the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIV.
Ben Niemann Family
Ben Niemann’s father, Jay Niemann, is currently the Assistant Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Recruiting Coordinator for Iowa. He has a younger brother, Nick Niemann, who currently plays linebacker for the Houston Texans.
Personal Life
Details about Ben Niemann’s personal life are limited, but he has been influenced by his family’s strong ties to football, particularly through his father’s coaching career.