Julie Ertz is coming in with an assist for her fellow WAGs.
Since the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner retired from soccer in 2023, she has leaned into the “wives and girlfriends” trend—popularized by Taylor Swiftand Hailee Steinfeld—while supporting her NFL husband Zach Ertz, and even has some advice for other members of the WAG crew.
“I’ve learned that communication is such a big part of a relationship, regardless,” Julie told E! News in an exclusive interview, “but the [NFL] season is so up and down, so crazy—especially how busy they are. So, just being able to be there and support, being that sound board for them.”
But Julie—who shares sons Madden, 4, and twins Kace and Kyren, 5 months, with the Washington Commanders tight end—doesn’t just recommend that her fellow WAGs focus on their partner. She also wants them to take care of themselves.
“It’s OK to ask for help, as well,” she continued. “We had twins in [the middle of the] season, and it was literally insane. Sometimes you feel isolated, just because you do take a lot of the responsibility at home. I love spending time with my kids, as well, but it’s OK to ask for help.”
And when Julie does need others to lend a hand, she knows just where to turn.
“A lot of teams do really fun things for the wives to be able to come together and support,” she explained. “All the wives that are home, the way they support their husbands, it is a different connection. During the season, [the players] are really busy, they’re gone a lot, so it’s been fun to come together with wives to celebrate the season and have that support system as well.”
Noting that the Commanders’ WAG community has helped her transition into her first year living in Virginia, she added, “When I was playing, I’m gone all the time, so I could never really go to any of those events. But it’s really cool to meet a lot of these women. A lot of them have incredible businesses or jobs, and it’s fun to come together and just learn a lot and have that support system.”
And now that Zach’s football season is over, having just missed a Super Bowl berth in January, the pair—who have partnered with Russell Stover for the ”Tackle Valentine’s Day” sweepstakes to send one lucky winner and a guest to the Big Game in 2026—have more time to focus on being together as a family of five, including on Valentine’s Day.
“We try to include them in our Valentine’s now,” Julie shared of her kids, “which is really fun. Our son loves reading books, chocolate, all the fun little things. And it’s really just about connecting together now as a family.”
The retired soccer star emphasized, though, that they still shoot for some quality time alone, adding, “On top of that, having our parents [allows] us to go out and have a date night.”
Read on to see what other WAGs have said about supporting their sports star partners.
Christian McCaffrey & Olivia Culpo
“He’s very loyal. He’s very dependable, which I really appreciate. He’s also extremely supportive. I feel like within our relationship, we really do value the dreams and the successes and the ambitions of the other person. Because of that, we’re able to have a really nice balance because we both do lead such busy lives. Our love for each other comes first, and we show that through the support that we have.” —Olivia, wife to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian
Josh Allen & Hailee Steinfeld
“To say the least, I am so proud of that man. Everything he’s done and everything that the team has done together, he is the hardest working person I know.” —Hailee, Oscar nominee and fiancée to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh
Bubba Wallace & Amanda Wallace
“I admire my husband most for his competitiveness on and off the track!” —Amanda, artist and wife to NASCAR driver Bubba
Isaac Rochell & Allison Kuch
“I’ve been with my husband for over eight years now and I think one thing I love about him is that he doesn’t let the NFL define him. I think that he is so much more off the field. While he does love football that much, he is a caring husband. He’s a caring dog dad. He’s currently outside building something in our garage. He likes to play with power tools and all of that. My husband is my best friend and I’m so grateful for his support.” —Allison, content creator and wife to retired defensive end Isaac
Jonathan Owens & Simone Biles
“I knew he was the one when I first met his mom. She has a little bit of a disability with her walking, she’s gotten a lot stronger, but how he treated his mother and how he treats women, I was like, ‘Wow.’ Almost weekly he brings me flowers. It’s kind of cliché but it’s just so cute because, after his practices from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., he still takes the time to put a smile on my face.” —Simone, Olympic gymnast and wife to football player Jonathan
Austin Dillon & Whitney Ward
“I admire Austin for his heart! He would do anything for the people he loves. I also love how loyal and honest he is in everything he does.”—Whitney, former NFL cheerleader and wife to NASCAR driver Austin
Chris Taylor & Mary Keller Taylor
“Chris always leaves baseball at the field and makes it a point to be fully present at home no matter how things are going for him and his team. He is a truly selfless person, which shows through how actively he participates in running our CT3 Foundation. He’ll purposefully schedule Zooms and calls about our upcoming charity events in the morning before he has to head to work for the whole day, just because he doesn’t want everything to fall to me. What a guy.” —Mary, real estate agent and wife to Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player Chris
Justin Turner & Kourtney Turner
“I admire Justin so much for his patience and ability to be completely present in the moment. He could be at an event, helping someone at a baseball clinic, spending time with a patient at the hospital and have a million other things going on but if you are with him, he will feel like the only person in the room.” —Kourtney, lifestyle blogger and wife to MLB player Justin
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce
“I love you so much. I’m so proud of you, I can’t stand it. Look what you did. Look what you did.” —Taylor, singer and fiancée to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis
Taylor Fritz & Morgan Riddle
“I admire Taylor’s incredible resilience to failure, which in tennis is something that happens almost every week as there is only one winner each week. He really makes me feel like we’re a team and that our success works in tandem.” —Morgan, influencer and girlfriend to professional tennis player Taylor
Mike Weir & Michelle Money
“What I love the most about Mike is his commitment and loyalty to whatever and whomever he loves! He is an amazing father and stepfather as well! Our girls and I are so lucky to have him as an example of hard work and passion!” —Michelle, Bachelor Nation star and wife to professional golfer Mike
Joey Logano & Brittany Logano
“I admire Joey’s ability to be present. Whether it be work or at home, he is fully submersed and can make you feel like you’re all that matters in that moment. I admire his work ethic and passion. He sets goals and he has a plan to achieve them. I admire his ability to not let other people’s opinions about him affect his efforts to succeed. Lastly, I admire his compassion towards people. He truly is the best human I am blessed to know, and that I get to live life with.” —Brittany, former ice skater and wife to NASCAR driver Joey
Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Mahomes
“He is a true leader and a team player. He continued to ask himself what he could do better to lead this team to the Super Bowl. I saw so much behind the scenes that I will forever be in awe of you as a person and a football player!” —Brittany, former soccer player and wife to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick
Kyle Juszczyk & Kristin Juszczyk
“There is no one that inspires me more to go after my dreams than him. Seeing him wake up every day with a smile on his face because he gets to call football ‘work’ is incredibly motivating. I have always admired his dedication and commitment to his craft. From pushing his body to the limit, to growing his own produce at home, every hour of his day is focused on bettering himself. Kyle is the most honorable, humble, loyal and genuine man I have ever met. I am incredibly lucky to call him my husband.” —Kristin, designer and wife to San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle
Daniel Suarez & Julia Piquet
“What I admire and respect the most about Daniel is his work ethic. Every single day I witness him pour his heart into his craft. He is one of the most determined persons I know. He is also incredibly intelligent, humble and very kind.” —Julia, racing correspondent and wife to NASCAR driver Daniel
Matthew Stafford & Kelly Stafford
“He is this funny, smart, witty guy that I wish the whole world could see. He’s just so gentle and caring with our little girls who love him with all their hearts. He was meant to be a girl dad.” —Kelly, podcaster and wife to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew
Jake Funk & Hannah Ann Sluss
“We share a common vision for the future. I don’t want to change anything about him. I mean, he’s my best friend and we just truly enjoy being around each other.” —Hannan Ann, Bachelor Nation star and wife to running back Jake
Daniel Norris & Sage Erickson
“I love him and I love that we’re both athletes and we can understand what we go through. We very much understand long distance. We understand wins and losses and ups and downs and staying positive and we’re probably both a little bit crazy at this point from our sports and trying to adapt and stay on it.” —Sage, surfer wife to MLB pitcher Daniel
