Zach Ertz pulls off the surprise: Julie Ertz named a 2027 National Soccer Hall of Fame first-ballot selection

Julie Ertz is headed to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and she found out via an on-site surprise orchestrated by her husband, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.

The selection was described by the Eagles as a first-ballot Hall of Famer decision and was relayed to Julie Ertz on Thursday at the Eagles’ Jefferson Health Training Complex.

Ertz’s induction news was part of a coordinated family ruse, beginning with a movie-night setup that involved their sons, Madden, Kace and Kyren, along with Zach Ertz’s mother, Lisa.

The Eagles said the announcement was formally delivered after Julie Ertz entered an auditorium presentation, where she received a 2027 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Coin from the Hall’s executive director, Djorn Bucholz, and was congratulated by Zach Ertz.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2027 includes Julie Ertz alongside former teammate Megan Rapinoe, U.S. men’s national team icon Jozy Altidore, manager Lothar Osiander, indoor soccer trailblazer Tatu, and Sir David Beckham.

According to the Eagles, Julie Ertz and Rapinoe will join Tobin Heath (2026) and Carli Lloyd (2025) as recent Hall of Famers connected to the United States’ 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning group. The Eagles also said that the 2019 title helped secure equal pay between the men’s and women’s national teams.