Rolf Benirschke, a former NFL placekicker and son of renowned conservationist Dr. Kurt Benirschke, has been elected the chair of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Board of Trustees, the organization announced Tuesday. He previously served as vice chair of the nonprofit, which operates the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Benirschke has a long history with the zoo, where his late father was a visionary scientist credited with pioneering the creation of the Frozen Zoo, a cryogenic cell bank for endangered species. Kurt Benirschke, who also served as president of the zoo’s board, died in 2018 at the age of 94. Before launching his football career, the younger Benirschke initially had planned to become a field biologist. He worked in the research lab at the zoo while attending UC Davis, where he majored in zoology, he recounted in an interview with an NFL alumni association publication. When playing for the San Diego Chargers, he created Kicks for Critters, a fundraising and awareness platform for the zoo and endangered species that asked fans to pledge money for the zoo for every field goal he made in a game. He also started the Celebration for the Critters, a fundraising event now known as the Food Wine and Brew Celebration, according to the zoo. “I am honored and very humbled to step into the role of chairman and help continue Dad’s legacy of applying science and innovation to conservation and wildlife protection,” Benirschke said in a statement. “San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has played a huge role in my life and I am excited to be a part of this amazing team that continues to advance its mission of conservation.” A zoo spokesperson said Benirschke was unavailable for an interview Tuesday. Benirschke’s third season as a placekicker in the NFL was cut short when he collapsed on a team flight while battling ulcerative colitis. He underwent two emergency surgeries within six days and remained in intensive care for weeks before recovering. He ended up playing seven more seasons with the San Diego Chargers and was the first player ever to wear an ostomy bag in the NFL. In all, Benirschke spent 10 years in the NFL and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1997. After retiring from football, he wrote books, worked as a keynote speaker, founded the Legacy Golf Invitational and started a patient-engagement company. He also helped fund several startup biotech companies that make products for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. He also is a patient advocate who supports legislation that encourages research and innovation and protects patients, according to Benirschke’s LinkedIn page. The zoo said Benirschke is taking over the chairmanship from Steven Simpson, who will continue to serve on the board. “Rolf’s heart and deep connection to our Alliance’s history and to the San Diego community make him the perfect person to fill this role,” Shawn Dixon, president and CEO of the Alliance, said in a statement. ...read more read less