Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Andre Szmyt is an American professional football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns whose family has played an important role in his journey to the NFL. Born on September 26, 1998, in Lake Forest, Illinois, Szmyt grew up in Vernon Hills, where he initially dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player before discovering his talent for kicking footballs. His parents, Eric and Lala Szmyt, supported his transition between sports and helped him pursue opportunities at Syracuse University.
Andre Szmyt’s family includes his girlfriend, Gianna, his father, Eric Szmyt, his late mother, Lala Szmyt, and his two sisters, Julia and Elisabeth. His mother died unexpectedly in July 2025, shortly before he became the Browns’ starting kicker. Her loss made his first NFL season particularly emotional. Here is everything publicly known about Andre Szmyt’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Andre Szmyt’s Girlfriend: Who Is Gianna?
Andre Szmyt has publicly identified a woman named Gianna as his girlfriend. Their relationship became known in August 2025, when he discussed the people he contacted after earning a place on the Cleveland Browns’ regular-season roster.
According to an August 27, 2025, report published by The News-Herald, Szmyt revealed that Gianna was the first person he called after learning he had won the Browns’ starting kicking job.
He subsequently contacted his father, Eric, and his sisters, Julia and Elisabeth, to share the news.
The revelation confirmed that Gianna was an important person in his life during one of the most significant moments of his professional football career.
However, Szmyt did not publicly disclose her surname or provide detailed information about their relationship.
Her age, occupation, educational background and hometown have not been reliably established in major sports reporting.
As of now, Gianna remains the most recently publicly identified girlfriend of Andre Szmyt, although there has been no independently verified update confirming whether their relationship status has changed.
How Gianna Supported Andre Szmyt’s NFL Career
Andre Szmyt’s decision to call Gianna immediately after earning a roster spot suggests that she was an important part of his personal support system.
His achievement followed several years of uncertainty surrounding his professional football career.
After leaving Syracuse University, Szmyt initially signed with the Chicago Bears but did not establish himself on their regular-season roster.
He subsequently played for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League before receiving another opportunity with Cleveland.
By August 2025, he had earned the confidence of the Browns’ coaching staff and secured the team’s starting kicker position.
Although Gianna’s exact role during his earlier football experiences has not been publicly documented, Szmyt’s comments confirm that she was among the first people with whom he wanted to celebrate the achievement.
Is Andre Szmyt Married?
As of now, Andre Szmyt is not publicly confirmed to be married.
In August 2025, he referred to Gianna as his girlfriend rather than his wife.
There has been no widely verified subsequent announcement confirming an engagement or wedding.
Consequently, identifying Gianna as his wife would be inaccurate without further confirmation.
Andre Szmyt’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, Andre Szmyt has no publicly confirmed children.
The Cleveland Browns kicker has not made a verified announcement concerning the birth or adoption of a son or daughter.
His official Cleveland Browns and Syracuse University biographies do not identify him as a father.
There is also no reliable public reporting establishing that he has children with Gianna or from a previous relationship.
However, Szmyt is an uncle. During a September 2025 interview, he discussed spending time with his sister Julia and her children before a Browns game in Baltimore.
He explained that his young niece and nephew were more interested in seeing their uncle than discussing football.
The visit provided a welcome opportunity to spend time with family during an emotionally difficult period following his mother’s death.
Andre Szmyt’s Parents: Meet Eric and the Late Lala Szmyt
Andre Szmyt was born to Eric Szmyt and Lala Szmyt, whose names are confirmed in his official Syracuse University football biography.
His parents raised him in the Chicago suburbs and supported his sporting ambitions throughout childhood.
Eric had a strong interest in American football, while Lala’s background in Russia contributed to the family’s enthusiasm for soccer.
Both parents helped Andre develop the confidence to pursue a football career despite having relatively little experience with the sport during high school.
Andre Szmyt’s Father: Eric Szmyt
Eric Szmyt is Andre Szmyt’s father and one of the most influential people in his athletic development.
He grew up in Massachusetts and developed an interest in the New England Patriots before eventually settling in Illinois.
Eric encouraged his son’s participation in competitive sports from a young age.
During Andre’s childhood, the family spent considerable time supporting his involvement in soccer.
According to reporting that referenced Eric’s comments to The Daily Orange, Andre began playing soccer almost as soon as he could walk.
He competed for travel teams and developed into a talented young striker.
Although Andre initially hoped to pursue soccer at a higher level, Eric recognized that his son’s strong kicking ability could also be valuable in American football.
How Eric Szmyt Supported His Son’s Transition to Football
Andre Szmyt did not begin seriously considering American football until relatively late in his high school career.
While attending Vernon Hills High School, he began experimenting with kicking footballs and discovered that he could consistently make long-distance attempts.
During his junior year, Andre started practicing independently.
His talent attracted attention after football players recorded videos of him successfully kicking from approximately 50 yards.
His high school coaches subsequently encouraged him to join the football team.
Eric supported the decision and believed Andre had the athletic ability to become a successful placekicker.
The transition was particularly significant because Andre had spent most of his childhood preparing for soccer rather than football.
Despite his limited experience, he quickly established himself as an important member of his high school football team.
Eric Szmyt Celebrated His Son’s College Football Success
Eric Szmyt continued supporting Andre after he joined Syracuse University in 2017.
His son initially entered the football program as a walk-on player without an athletic scholarship.
However, Andre became Syracuse’s starting kicker in 2018 and produced one of the greatest seasons by a freshman specialist in college football history.
He made 30 field goals and won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s outstanding college placekicker.
During a 2019 interview, Eric expressed surprise and pride at how quickly his son had developed.
He acknowledged that the family had believed in Andre’s talent but could not have predicted how rapidly he would reach national recognition.
Eric remained involved throughout Andre’s later college and professional football experiences.
How Eric Szmyt Supported Andre After His Mother’s Death
The Szmyt family experienced a devastating loss on July 10, 2025, when Andre’s mother, Lala, died unexpectedly.
Her death occurred while Andre was competing to become Cleveland’s starting kicker.
Eric remained an important source of family support during this difficult period.
When Andre earned a position on the Browns’ regular-season roster in August 2025, his father was among the first relatives he contacted.
Eric also attended Cleveland games to support his son.
Following Andre’s game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers in September 2025, his father and a sister were reportedly present to witness the achievement.
The moment was particularly meaningful because it occurred shortly after the family’s loss.
Andre Szmyt’s Mother: Lala Szmyt
Lala Szmyt was Andre Szmyt’s mother and one of the most important people in his life.
Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, she later settled in the United States and raised her family in Illinois.
According to her obituary, Lala was born in 1959 and developed a successful professional career as a chemist.
She worked with several pharmaceutical companies and contributed to scientific research and product development.
Lala was also multilingual, speaking three languages, and had lived in different parts of the world.
Her interest in education, science and family remained important throughout her life.
Although she initially knew relatively little about American football, she became one of Andre’s greatest supporters.
How Lala Szmyt Influenced Andre’s Love of Soccer
Soccer was an important part of Lala Szmyt’s cultural background.
Growing up in Russia, she was familiar with the sport and understood its popularity in Europe.
Her enthusiasm for soccer helped shape Andre’s childhood sporting interests.
He played competitive soccer for many years and initially hoped to continue pursuing the sport beyond high school.
According to an October 2025 family profile published by EssentiallySports, Lala’s extended family also had a connection to high-level soccer.
The report stated that a distant relative had played as a goalkeeper for the Soviet Union national team.
Although the relative’s identity was not independently established, the account reflects the family’s longstanding interest in soccer.
When Andre decided to pursue American football, Lala initially worried about the physical nature of the sport.
However, after learning more about the responsibilities of a placekicker, she became comfortable with his decision.
How Lala Szmyt Supported Her Son’s NFL Ambitions
Lala remained involved in Andre’s football journey from high school through Syracuse University and his attempts to establish an NFL career.
Following his college career, Andre spent time with the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Battlehawks while continuing to pursue opportunities in professional football.
During periods when he was not attached to an NFL roster, he sometimes returned to his parents’ home near Chicago.
According to EssentiallySports, Andre spent considerable time with his mother during these periods, including cooking meals and talking about everyday life.
Her encouragement helped him remain determined despite the uncertainty surrounding his career.
When Cleveland eventually gave him an opportunity to compete for its starting kicker position, Lala continued supporting his ambitions.
What Happened to Andre Szmyt’s Mother?
Lala Szmyt died on July 10, 2025, at the age of 66.
According to the Cleveland Browns and Associated Press reporting, her death resulted from a brain aneurysm.
The loss was unexpected and deeply affected Andre and the rest of the family.
Her obituary, published by McMurrough Funeral Chapel in Libertyville, Illinois, described a woman who valued family, intellectual curiosity and helping others.
She was survived by her husband, Eric, and children, including Andre and his sisters.
Her death occurred shortly before Andre secured his first full-time position on an NFL regular-season roster.
He initially chose not to discuss the loss publicly because he was concentrating on competing for the Browns’ kicking job.
How Andre Szmyt Honors His Late Mother
Andre Szmyt has publicly described his mother as his greatest supporter.
Following her death, he found additional meaning in his football achievements.
On September 21, 2025, he made a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give Cleveland a 13-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
The kick was the longest game-winning field goal as time expired in Browns history at that point.
After the game, Szmyt spoke emotionally about his mother and explained that he continued thinking about her whenever he stepped onto the field.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the family’s loss during the team’s postgame celebration.
He awarded Szmyt a game ball and recognized the significance of the achievement.
Several days later, Szmyt was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The recognition represented an emotional milestone for a player who had recently experienced one of the most difficult moments of his personal life.
Andre Szmyt’s Siblings: Meet His Sisters Julia and Elisabeth
Andre Szmyt has two publicly confirmed sisters: Julia Lukicheva and Elisabeth Szmyt.
Syracuse University’s official athletics biography states that he has two sisters, while Lala Szmyt’s obituary identifies them by name.
Both sisters have supported Andre throughout his football career, although they generally maintain private lives outside professional sports.
Julia Lukicheva: Andre Szmyt’s Older Sister
Julia Lukicheva is Andre Szmyt’s older sister and an important part of his family support system.
Her name appears in Lala Szmyt’s July 2025 obituary, which also identifies her husband as Chad.
Julia lives in the Baltimore area, according to Andre’s September 2025 interview.
Shortly before Cleveland played the Baltimore Ravens that month, Andre visited his sister for a family dinner.
The visit provided an opportunity to spend time with relatives after his mother’s death and the difficult opening game of his NFL career.
He explained that the gathering helped him regain perspective and prepare for the following day’s competition.
Andre Szmyt’s Niece and Nephew
During the same September 2025 interview, Andre discussed spending time with Julia’s young children.
He described how his niece and nephew were too young to fully understand the significance of professional football.
Instead, they were simply excited to see their uncle.
The experience reminded him that family relationships remained important regardless of the results on the field.
Lala Szmyt’s obituary also confirmed that she had two grandchildren.
Although Szmyt is an uncle, there is no reliable public information confirming that he has children of his own.
Elisabeth Szmyt: Andre Szmyt’s Sister
Elisabeth Szmyt is Andre Szmyt’s other sister.
Her name is confirmed in the obituary of their mother and in reporting about Andre making the Browns’ roster in August 2025.
According to The News-Herald, Elisabeth was among the family members Andre contacted after learning he had earned Cleveland’s starting kicker position.
The phone call demonstrated that she remained part of his support system during his professional football career.
Although Elisabeth is publicly identified as his sister, reliable information about her education, occupation and personal relationships is limited.
She generally maintains a private lifestyle and has not been extensively featured in national sports reporting.
Did Andre Szmyt Have a Brother?
Syracuse University’s official football biography identifies Andre as having two sisters and does not mention a brother.
However, Lala Szmyt’s obituary also identifies a deceased son named Anton Lukichev.
The memorial does not explain the exact family relationship between Anton and Andre, so it would be inappropriate to make unsupported claims about whether they shared both parents or about the circumstances of Anton’s death.
What is clearly established is that Andre’s two publicly documented sisters are Julia and Elisabeth.
Andre Szmyt’s Russian and Eastern European Family Heritage
Andre Szmyt’s family background includes Russian and Eastern European connections.
His mother, Lala, grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, while his father, Eric, was raised in Massachusetts.
His maternal relatives maintained cultural traditions associated with their background, including an appreciation for soccer.
His mother also practiced the Russian Orthodox Christian faith, according to reporting published after her death.
Andre later discussed the importance of faith while coping with the loss of his mother.
Although the surname Szmyt is also found in Poland, the available official biographies do not conclusively document the full ancestry of his father’s family.
Therefore, it is more accurate to describe his publicly established Russian family connection without assigning an unverified ethnic background to every branch of the family.
Andre Szmyt’s Childhood and Family Life in Illinois
Andre Eric Szmyt was born on September 26, 1998, in Lake Forest, Illinois.
He grew up in Vernon Hills, a community in the Chicago metropolitan area.
During childhood, Szmyt spent considerable time playing soccer and developing his kicking ability.
He attended Vernon Hills High School, where he became an accomplished soccer player before joining the football program for his senior season.
His football career began almost unexpectedly after coaches observed videos of him kicking from long distances.
In 2016, he made nine of his 12 field-goal attempts and established a school record with a successful 48-yard kick.
He also helped Vernon Hills reach the Illinois Class 5A state championship game.
Despite his limited football experience, his performances attracted the attention of college coaches.
He eventually joined Syracuse University in 2017 as a walk-on kicker.
How Andre Szmyt’s Family Influenced His College Football Career
Andre Szmyt’s decision to attend Syracuse represented an important step away from his family in Illinois.
Although he initially did not receive an athletic scholarship, his parents encouraged him to continue developing as a kicker.
After redshirting in 2017, Szmyt earned the starting position in 2018.
He became one of college football’s most productive specialists, making 30 field goals and scoring 151 points during the season.
His performances earned unanimous All-American recognition and the Lou Groza Award.
He continued playing for Syracuse through the 2022 season, finishing his college career with 85 successful field goals and 199 extra points.
His 454 career points established a Syracuse scoring record.
Szmyt also completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in instructional design, development and evaluation.
His academic achievements reflected the importance his family placed on education alongside athletics.
Andre Szmyt’s Professional Career With the Chicago Bears, Battlehawks and Browns
Following his Syracuse career, Andre Szmyt entered the 2023 NFL Draft but was not selected.
He subsequently signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.
The opportunity was particularly meaningful because he had grown up supporting Chicago-area sports and his family lived near the Bears’ training facility.
However, the Bears released him before the regular season.
In 2024, Szmyt joined the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League.
He successfully converted 19 of 21 field-goal attempts, helping establish himself as one of the league’s leading kickers.
Cleveland signed him to its practice squad in December 2024 and subsequently gave him another opportunity during the 2025 offseason.
Szmyt won the starting kicking job ahead of veteran Dustin Hopkins and made his NFL regular-season debut in September 2025.
He finished the 2025 campaign by converting 24 of 27 field-goal attempts.
During the 2026 season, he remained Cleveland’s starting kicker and earned another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for his performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He also made important game-winning kicks against the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans in October 2026.
His professional career has demonstrated the determination required to overcome setbacks and continue pursuing long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andre Szmyt’s Family
Who is Andre Szmyt’s girlfriend?
Andre Szmyt publicly identified his girlfriend as Gianna in August 2025. He called her after learning he had earned the Cleveland Browns’ starting kicker position. Her surname has not been reliably established.
Is Andre Szmyt married?
As of now, Andre Szmyt is not publicly confirmed to be married. There has been no widely verified announcement identifying a wife or confirming a wedding.
Does Andre Szmyt have children?
As of now, Andre Szmyt has no publicly confirmed children. He is, however, an uncle and has discussed spending time with his sister Julia’s children.
Who is Andre Szmyt’s father?
His father is Eric Szmyt, who supported his transition from soccer to American football and celebrated his achievements at Syracuse and with the Cleveland Browns.
Who is Andre Szmyt’s mother?
His mother was Lala Szmyt, a Russian-born chemist who supported his football career. She died in July 2025.
What happened to Andre Szmyt’s mother?
Lala Szmyt died on July 10, 2025, at the age of 66, following a brain aneurysm.
How many sisters does Andre Szmyt have?
Andre Szmyt has two sisters, Julia Lukicheva and Elisabeth Szmyt, according to Syracuse University records and their mother’s obituary.
Who is Andre Szmyt’s older sister?
Julia Lukicheva is Andre Szmyt’s older sister. He visited her and her children near Baltimore during the 2025 NFL season.
Who is Andre Szmyt’s other sister?
Elisabeth Szmyt is Andre’s other sister. She was among the relatives he contacted when he became Cleveland’s starting kicker.
Does Andre Szmyt have a brother?
His official Syracuse biography lists two sisters. His mother’s obituary additionally mentions a late son named Anton Lukichev, but does not explain the precise relationship between Anton and Andre.
What is Andre Szmyt’s nationality?
Andre Szmyt is American. He was born in Lake Forest, Illinois, and grew up in Vernon Hills. His mother was originally from Russia.
When was Andre Szmyt born?
Andre Szmyt was born on September 26, 1998.
Which college did Andre Szmyt attend?
Andre Szmyt attended Syracuse University, where he played football from 2017 through 2022 and won the 2018 Lou Groza Award.
Which NFL team does Andre Szmyt play for?
As of now, Andre Szmyt plays for the Cleveland Browns, where he wears jersey number 25 and serves as the team’s placekicker.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
