Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Will Reichard is an American professional football player who plays as a kicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 9, 2001, in Hoover, Alabama, Reichard played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before entering the NFL in 2024.
Beyond football, Reichard comes from a close-knit family that has played an important role in his personal and athletic development. His parents are the late Gary Eugene Reichard and Dana Reichard, also known as Dana Swanner, and he has an older sister named Taylor Reichard.
Reichard is married to Amelia Auchmuty, his longtime girlfriend and high school sweetheart. The couple married on January 21, 2023, while he was still playing college football at Alabama.
One of the most meaningful parts of Reichard’s personal story is his relationship with his father, Gary, who died from pancreatic cancer in March 2016. Gary introduced his son to football kicking and spent countless hours helping him develop his abilities.
Although Reichard has publicly discussed his marriage, parents and sister, reliable information confirming whether he and Amelia have children remains limited.
Will Reichard’s Wife – Amelia Auchmuty Reichard
Will Reichard is married to Amelia Auchmuty Reichard, his longtime girlfriend and high school sweetheart.
The couple married on January 21, 2023, according to the Minnesota Vikings’ official biography and a Sports Illustrated report published in August 2023.
Both grew up in Hoover, Alabama, and attended Hoover High School before continuing their education at the University of Alabama.
Their relationship began long before Reichard became an NFL player, and Amelia remained part of his life throughout his record-breaking college football career.
Who Is Amelia Auchmuty?
Amelia Auchmuty, also known as Amelia Reichard after her marriage, is the wife of Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard.
She grew up in Hoover, Alabama, and attended Hoover High School.
After graduating from high school, Amelia continued her education at the University of Alabama, where she completed her undergraduate studies.
Her connection to Reichard attracted national attention after the couple married during his final years with the Crimson Tide.
Although Amelia has appeared in social media posts and NFL community activities, she generally maintains a relatively private personal life.
Reliable reporting has established her marriage and educational background, but detailed information about her current occupation has not been consistently confirmed by major sports publications.
How Did Will Reichard Meet Amelia Auchmuty?
Will Reichard and Amelia Auchmuty knew each other during their high school years in Hoover, Alabama.
Sports Illustrated described Amelia as Reichard’s high school sweetheart in an August 17, 2023, feature about the couple’s marriage.
Both attended Hoover High School before enrolling at the University of Alabama.
During those years, Reichard was establishing himself as one of the nation’s leading young kicking prospects.
Their relationship continued as he became Alabama’s starting kicker and helped the Crimson Tide compete for national championships.
Although their high school relationship is confirmed, the exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been extensively documented in reliable public interviews.
When Did Will Reichard and Amelia Get Engaged?
Will Reichard proposed to Amelia approximately one year before their January 2023 wedding.
According to a Minnesota Vikings article published on May 2, 2024, the couple married almost exactly one year after Reichard proposed.
The engagement represented an important milestone during his college football career.
At the time, Reichard was continuing his studies at Alabama while preparing for another season with the football program.
The couple subsequently planned their wedding while balancing their educational and personal responsibilities.
When Did Will Reichard Get Married?
Will Reichard married Amelia Auchmuty on January 21, 2023.
The wedding was publicly reported by sports journalist Rick Karle and later documented by Sports Illustrated and the Minnesota Vikings.
Both Reichard and Amelia were graduates of Hoover High School and the University of Alabama.
The marriage took place shortly after Reichard announced that he would return to Alabama for another college football season rather than enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
The decision allowed him to complete his final year with the Crimson Tide while beginning married life.
How Marriage Changed Will Reichard’s Life
In an August 2023 interview with Sports Illustrated, Reichard discussed adjusting to married life while preparing for his final season at Alabama.
He explained that moving in with Amelia had changed his daily routine in a positive way.
Before their marriage, Reichard had spent considerable time living in university accommodation while attending football training camps.
After marrying, he began looking forward to returning home to his wife following practice.
He described marriage as one of the best decisions he had made.
The relationship continued as Reichard completed his college career and prepared to enter the NFL.
Amelia Reichard’s Involvement With the Minnesota Vikings
Amelia has also participated in community activities connected to her husband’s NFL team.
In November 2024, the Minnesota Vikings and Polaris organized a special baby shower for military families as part of the team’s Salute to Service initiatives.
Amelia participated alongside other Vikings players’ wives and partners.
The event recognized expectant mothers serving in the military or belonging to military families.
Participants helped prepare gifts and celebrate the mothers’ upcoming arrivals.
Amelia was again identified among members of the Vikings Home Team participating in a Salute to Service baby shower organized with Polaris in 2025.
Her involvement demonstrates her participation in charitable activities associated with the Minnesota Vikings organization.
Will Reichard’s Children
Will Reichard and his wife, Amelia, have no publicly confirmed children in the reliable sources reviewed.
His official Minnesota Vikings biography identifies Amelia as his wife but does not mention any sons or daughters.
Similarly, established reporting about their marriage and family background has not confirmed that the couple has become parents.
Although Reichard and Amelia have been married since January 2023, marriage alone does not establish whether they have children.
For that reason, no child’s name, birth date or other personal details can be reliably included in this profile.
Will Reichard’s Parents
Will Reichard was born to Gary Eugene Reichard and Dana Reichard in Hoover, Alabama.
His father played a particularly important role in introducing him to competitive sports, while his mother provided encouragement throughout his childhood, college football career and transition to the NFL.
The family experienced a major tragedy when Gary died from pancreatic cancer on March 28, 2016.
Despite the loss, Reichard continued pursuing the football ambitions that he and his father had worked toward together.
Will Reichard’s Father – Gary Eugene Reichard
Gary Eugene Reichard was Will Reichard’s father and his earliest kicking coach.
He was born on October 12, 1962, in Fairfax County, Virginia, and grew up in Panama City, Florida.
According to his obituary published by AL.com in March 2016, Gary attended Rutherford High School before pursuing higher education.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of West Florida and an MBA from Samford University.
Gary worked in the technology and telecommunications industry, holding positions with BellSouth, Accenture and AT&T.
At the time of his death, he was serving as a Senior Technical Director for AT&T.
Beyond his professional career, Gary was deeply involved in his children’s activities.
He coached youth soccer and spent considerable time helping Will develop his sporting abilities.
How Gary Reichard Introduced Will to Football
Will Reichard began playing soccer at approximately two years old.
His father became closely involved in the sport, coaching youth teams and taking Will to training sessions and competitions.
According to the Minnesota Vikings, Gary eventually decided that his son might benefit from the physical demands of football.
When Will was approximately eight or nine years old, Gary signed him up for youth football.
Because Will already had experience kicking a soccer ball, he quickly demonstrated an ability to kick a football accurately.
He earned the team’s kicking position and discovered that he enjoyed the sport.
The experience marked the beginning of a football journey that would eventually lead him to Alabama and the NFL.
Gary Reichard’s Role as Will’s Kicking Coach
Gary Reichard became much more than a parent supporting his son’s athletic interests.
He spent countless hours learning kicking techniques, studying instructional materials and contacting experienced coaches.
Although Gary had not been a football kicker himself, he was determined to understand the mechanics of the position.
He regularly took Will to football fields for individual training sessions.
The two also traveled across the United States to attend kicking camps and competitions.
According to interviews published by the Associated Press and Alabama sports media, Gary sometimes arranged coaching sessions in distant cities so his son could learn from specialists.
Their travels became important family memories, combining serious athletic preparation with opportunities to spend time together.
Will later credited his father with helping him establish the discipline and technical foundation necessary to become a successful kicker.
What Happened to Will Reichard’s Father?
Gary Reichard died on March 28, 2016, at the age of 53.
He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer approximately one month earlier.
The illness progressed quickly, leaving the family little time to prepare for his death.
At the time, Will was a ninth-grade student at Hoover High School.
The loss was especially difficult because father and son had spent so much time together developing Will’s football skills.
Gary died before seeing Will play college football at Alabama or achieve his dream of reaching the NFL.
However, his influence remained an important part of Will’s athletic development.
How Will Reichard Honors His Late Father
Will Reichard has developed a meaningful tradition of honoring his father after successful kicks.
When he makes a field goal, he points toward the sky.
According to interviews with the Associated Press and Minnesota Vikings, the gesture reflects both his Christian faith and his desire to remember Gary.
Gary had originally encouraged his son to express gratitude through the gesture.
After his father’s death, it took on additional personal significance.
Reichard has also continued using elements of the pregame warmup routine he developed with his father.
In a September 2022 Associated Press interview, his mother explained that those preparations provided a connection to the time Will and Gary had spent training together.
In October 2025, the Minnesota Vikings featured Reichard in their Crucial Catch initiative, highlighting players and relatives affected by cancer.
During the interview, Will remembered his father’s dedication and the sacrifices he made to support both children.
He explained that Gary’s influence continued to shape his attitude toward preparation, determination and success.
Will Reichard’s Mother – Dana Reichard
Dana Reichard, also known as Dana Swanner, is Will Reichard’s mother.
She has played an important role in supporting his athletic career, particularly following her husband’s death in 2016.
Her name appears in reports published by the Associated Press, Hoover Sun and Encyclopedia of Alabama.
During Will’s childhood, Dana accompanied the family to numerous sporting events, kicking camps and competitions.
She witnessed the close relationship between Will and his father and understood how much their training sessions meant to both of them.
After Gary died, Dana continued encouraging her son to pursue his ambitions.
How Dana Reichard Supported Her Son After Gary’s Death
Dana faced significant personal challenges following her husband’s death.
She had to support Will and his older sister, Taylor, while coping with the loss of their father.
During interviews about her son’s football journey, Dana recalled how the family relied on friends, relatives and their community for encouragement.
She remained involved in Will’s athletic development, attending games and following his progress through high school and college.
According to a 2020 feature published by Alabama football media, Dana frequently traveled to support Will during his kicking career.
She also continued preserving memories connected to Gary, including information about the training methods he had developed with their son.
Her encouragement helped Reichard maintain his focus during an emotionally difficult period.
Dana Swanner Celebrates Will Reichard’s Achievements
In February 2024, Will Reichard received special recognition from his hometown of Hoover, Alabama.
The city’s mayor and council named him a Hometown Hero after he became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
During the ceremony, Dana Swanner spoke about the experiences her family had shared while traveling to kicking camps and football competitions.
She reflected on how Gary had encouraged Will to express gratitude after successful kicks and how the gesture became a way to remember his father.
Dana also expressed appreciation for the support the family had received from the Hoover community.
The ceremony represented an important family milestone because it celebrated an achievement that Gary had helped Will begin working toward many years earlier.
Will Reichard’s Siblings
Will Reichard has one publicly confirmed sibling, an older sister named Taylor Reichard.
Her identity is documented in Gary Reichard’s 2016 obituary and in interviews about Will’s childhood and football development.
The obituary identifies Taylor and Will as the two children of Gary and Dana Reichard.
Taylor Reichard – Will Reichard’s Older Sister
Taylor Reichard is Will Reichard’s older sister.
She grew up alongside him in Hoover, Alabama, where their parents were actively involved in their children’s education and athletic activities.
Taylor was a senior at Hoover High School when their father died in March 2016.
According to a feature published by Alabama football media, she was preparing to leave home for Auburn University during that period.
Gary’s death came at a difficult time for both siblings, particularly because they had limited time remaining together at home before Taylor began college.
The loss encouraged Will and Taylor to spend more time supporting each other.
How Taylor Reichard Supported Her Brother
Taylor played an important role in helping Will cope with their father’s death.
Both siblings experienced the loss during important stages of their education and personal development.
While Will continued focusing on football, Taylor prepared for her own college journey.
Despite their changing responsibilities, they remained connected through their shared family experiences.
During Will’s college career at Alabama, Taylor and their mother continued following his performances.
Their support became particularly meaningful when Reichard began setting school and NCAA scoring records.
Although Taylor is publicly identified as his sister, reliable information about her current occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
Does Will Reichard Have Brothers?
No brothers have been identified in the reliable family records reviewed.
Gary Reichard’s obituary names two children, Taylor and Will.
Likewise, Will’s public interviews about his childhood identify Taylor as his sister without mentioning any brothers.
Therefore, Taylor is his only publicly confirmed sibling.
Will Reichard’s Family Background and Childhood
Will Reichard grew up in Hoover, Alabama, where athletics and family activities were central parts of his childhood.
His father introduced him to soccer at an early age and later encouraged him to try football.
Reichard demonstrated unusual kicking ability during elementary school.
By the time he reached sixth grade, he was attending specialized kicking camps and working with experienced coaches.
His father’s involvement helped him understand the importance of repetition, preparation and technical precision.
Although Gary died before Will completed high school, the habits they developed together continued influencing his performances.
At Hoover High School, Reichard established himself as one of the nation’s leading kicking prospects.
He made 27 of his 31 career field-goal attempts and successfully converted all 109 extra-point attempts.
His performances earned recognition as the nation’s top high school kicker from ESPN.
He also participated in the Under Armour All-America Game and the 2018 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.
How Will Reichard’s Family Influenced His College Career
Will Reichard joined the University of Alabama football program in 2019.
He became the Crimson Tide’s starting kicker as a true freshman and gradually developed into one of the most productive specialists in college football history.
During the 2020 season, he made all 14 field-goal attempts and all 84 extra-point attempts.
His performances contributed to Alabama winning the College Football Playoff National Championship.
He continued improving over the following seasons, establishing several university and conference scoring records.
Reichard’s family remained an important source of motivation throughout his college years.
He frequently discussed how much his father would have appreciated watching him compete at Alabama.
His mother and sister continued supporting him as he achieved new milestones.
In 2023, Reichard completed his college football career with 547 points, becoming the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision’s all-time leading scorer.
He also earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors.
The achievement fulfilled an ambition that began with the childhood kicking sessions organized by his father.
Will Reichard’s Family and His NFL Career
The Minnesota Vikings selected Will Reichard with the 203rd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He was the first kicker selected in that year’s draft.
Joining Minnesota represented another important achievement in a football journey strongly influenced by his family.
Reichard quickly established himself as the Vikings’ starting kicker during his rookie season.
He continued developing during the 2025 season, making a 62-yard field goal that established a Minnesota franchise record.
His successful performances earned him Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro recognition for the 2025 season.
Throughout his professional career, Reichard has continued speaking about the influence of his late father.
In September 2026, he again discussed Gary’s support during an interview about his development as a kicker.
He credited his father with establishing the confidence and determination that have helped him compete at the highest level.
His wife Amelia has also been part of his life throughout the transition from college football to the NFL.
Frequently Asked Questions About Will Reichard’s Family
Who is Will Reichard’s wife?
Will Reichard’s wife is Amelia Auchmuty Reichard, his longtime girlfriend and high school sweetheart from Hoover, Alabama.
Is Will Reichard married?
Yes. Will Reichard married Amelia Auchmuty on January 21, 2023, while he was playing college football at the University of Alabama.
When did Will Reichard get married?
He married Amelia on January 21, 2023. The date is confirmed by the Minnesota Vikings and reporting published by Sports Illustrated.
How did Will Reichard meet his wife?
Will and Amelia were high school sweethearts who attended Hoover High School in Alabama. Both later attended the University of Alabama.
What does Will Reichard’s wife do?
Amelia is a University of Alabama graduate who has participated in community activities connected to the Minnesota Vikings. Her current professional occupation has not been conclusively established through reliable reporting.
Does Will Reichard have children?
Will Reichard has no publicly confirmed children in the reliable sources reviewed. His official Vikings biography does not identify any sons or daughters.
Who is Will Reichard’s father?
His father was Gary Eugene Reichard, a former AT&T Senior Technical Director who coached Will in soccer and helped him develop his football kicking abilities.
What happened to Will Reichard’s father?
Gary Reichard died from pancreatic cancer on March 28, 2016, at the age of 53.
How old was Will Reichard when his father died?
Will Reichard was 15 years old when his father died in March 2016.
Who is Will Reichard’s mother?
His mother is Dana Reichard, also known as Dana Swanner. She supported his development as a kicker and continued encouraging him after his father’s death.
Does Will Reichard have siblings?
Yes. Will Reichard has one publicly confirmed sibling, an older sister named Taylor Reichard.
Who is Taylor Reichard?
Taylor Reichard is Will Reichard’s older sister. She grew up in Hoover, Alabama, and was preparing to attend Auburn University when their father died in 2016.
Does Will Reichard have a brother?
No brothers have been identified in the reliable family records reviewed. His father’s obituary identifies Taylor and Will as the family’s two children.
Why does Will Reichard point to the sky after kicking?
Reichard points toward the sky to express his Christian faith and honor his late father, Gary, who originally encouraged the gesture.
Where is Will Reichard’s family from?
Will Reichard grew up in Hoover, Alabama, where his parents raised him and his sister Taylor.
What college did Will Reichard attend?
He attended the University of Alabama and played for the Crimson Tide from 2019 through 2023.
When did Will Reichard join the Minnesota Vikings?
The Vikings selected Reichard in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 203rd overall pick.
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.
