Jesse Palmer
Jesse Palmer is a Canadian former professional football quarterback and actor known for hosting The Bachelor franchise. He played in the NFL for the New York Giants and later built a broadcasting career as a college football analyst for ESPN and ABC.
Personal life
Palmer has been married to Brazilian photographer and model Emely Fardo since 2020. They met at a boxing class in 2017 and married in Connecticut. They held a second wedding at Château De La Gaude in Aix-en-Provence, France, in 2022.
Their daughter, Ella Reine Palmer, was born in January 2024.
College football and the NFL
Palmer played college football for the Florida Gators from 1997 to 2000 under coach Steve Spurrier. As a senior, he was selected as a team captain and received the Fergie Ferguson Award for leadership, character and courage. He completed his college career with 3,755 passing yards and graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in political science and marketing.
The New York Giants selected Palmer in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft with the 125th overall pick. He spent most of his time with the Giants as a backup to Kerry Collins, but played in six games and started three in 2003. Palmer was the second Canadian to start at quarterback in the NFL.
The Bachelor
In 2004, Palmer became the Bachelor for the show's fifth season. He was the first professional athlete to appear as the Bachelor and the first non-American lead. He selected Jessica Bowlin at the end of the season, although their relationship lasted only a few months.
Palmer later returned to the franchise as host. In 2021, he was named the permanent host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and he also hosted the eighth season of Bachelor in Paradise and the first season of The Golden Bachelor.
Broadcasting and television work
After retiring from the Canadian Football League in 2007, Palmer pursued broadcasting. He began as an analyst for Fox Sports Net's Arena Football League coverage and joined ESPN in 2007 as a college football analyst. His work included College Football Live, ESPN and ABC telecasts, Thursday night college football, and the SEC Network, where he was named a lead game announcer alongside Brent Musburger. He has also worked as an NFL analyst for Canada's TSN.
Palmer has hosted several entertainment and food programs, including The Proposal, DailyMailTV, Recipe to Riches, Spring Baking Championship, Holiday Baking Championship, Food Truck Face Off, Bakeaway Camp, and The Ultimate Surfer. His acting credits include Don Lacey in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as appearances in 9-1-1, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure.
Quick facts
- Palmer was the first professional athlete to appear as the Bachelor and the first non-American Bachelor.
- The New York Giants selected Palmer 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
- Palmer was the second Canadian to start at quarterback in the NFL.
- As a Florida senior, Palmer received the Gators' Fergie Ferguson Award for leadership, character and courage.
- Palmer started three of six games for the New York Giants in 2003, both career highs.
- Palmer combined with Kerry Collins for 616 pass attempts in 2003, a New York Giants single-season franchise record.
- Palmer joined ESPN as a college football analyst in 2007.
- ESPN named Palmer and Brent Musburger the lead game announcers for the SEC Network in 2014.
- Palmer was named the permanent host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette in 2021.
- Palmer portrayed professional baseball player Don Lacey in the seventh season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
FAQs about Jesse Palmer
How many times has Jesse Palmer been married?
Jesse Palmer has been married once. He has been married to Emely Fardo since 2020.
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