Andrew East, a former NFL player, recently appeared on Season 4 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. His participation highlights the physical challenges athletes face long after their professional careers. East gained additional public recognition after marrying Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson in 2016. However, much of his journey revolves around his football career and subsequent retirement.
Andrew East’s Football Career
East’s football journey began at Vanderbilt University, where he played for four years. He redshirted his freshman year in 2010, then served as the team’s long snapper from 2011 to 2014. In May 2015, East signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, but was released just a few months later.
- Teams Played For:
- Kansas City Chiefs (2015)
- Seattle Seahawks (2016, waived March)
- Oakland Raiders (2016, waived August)
- Los Angeles Rams (2017, waived May)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2018, waived July)
- Washington Redskins (2018, waived August)
Throughout his NFL tenure, East participated in three professional games. His career ended with a brief stint in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) before he announced his retirement.
Why Andrew East Retired from the NFL
East announced his retirement in March 2022 via a social media video. He reflected on his decision carefully, consulting family and mentors. The former athlete stated, “It’s onto the next chapter for me and I’m very excited for what that looks like.” His growing family played a significant role in this shift.
East and Johnson have welcomed three children—born in October 2019, July 2021, and December 2023. He expressed that his priorities had shifted, stating, “When I look at my new goals, there’s more to life.” He mentioned a waning passion for football and recognized it was time for a change.
Andrew East’s Post-Football Career
After retiring, East transitioned into media and content creation alongside Shawn Johnson. The couple aims to impact families positively through their platform. They began their online journey in 2015 by sharing experiences from their wedding planning, which resonated with a broader audience.
- Current Ventures:
- 1.7 million YouTube subscribers
- Couple Things podcast hosts
In East’s words, their mission is to create meaningful connections and foster hope among families. He describes their content as “family-friendly, kinda cheesy, hopefully cute videos.” Their collective journey showcases how former athletes can pivot to impactful careers beyond sports.
