As George Karlaftis emerges as a strong defensive end, his brother, Yanni Karlaftis, is making waves of his own.
The Karlaftis family is no exception to the widespread practice of family legacies paving the way for potential athletes to progress through the ranks. As a result, this essay delves into Yanni Karlaftis’ athletic path and sheds light on the complexities of the age difference between the two brothers. George Matthew Karlaftis is a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL).
He enrolled at West Lafayette High School and won consecutive state shot put titles. He began his rookie year at Purdue by starting all 12 games and recording 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Later, the Kansas City Chiefs picked him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Karlaftis also helped the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII and established himself as a frequent starter.
George Karlaftis’ Brother, Yanni Karlaftis: Age Difference?
While George and Yanni play different positions on the football field, their similar passion for the game brings them together. George was born in 2001 and is two years older than his brother, Yanni. Yanni attained success at a young age, winning the youth world championship in judo. His path to collegiate football began with success at West Lafayette High School.
He made a key contribution to West Lafayette’s 8-2 record in 2020, including a perfect 4-0 mark in the Hoosier-West Conference. While at West Lafayette, he was listed by 247Sports as the No. 16 outside linebacker and No. 3 overall prospect in Indiana.
ESPN also listed him as the No. 26 outside linebacker, No. 2 prospect in Indiana, and No. 24 in the area. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Yanni showcased his defensive talents in nine games while also contributing to special teams. Yanni demonstrated his effect on the field by recording four total tackles, including two solo efforts.
George Karlaftis Parents
George Karlaftis was born on April 3, 2001, in Athens, Greece, to Matthew and Amy Weida Karlaftis. Matthew Karlaftis, affectionately known as Matt, began his athletic career as a javelin thrower for the University of Miami track and field team. He enrolled in Miami’s football program and suffered a catastrophic head injury during his first practice, necessitating surgery. As a result, he earned a PhD in civil engineering and is now a professor at the National Technical University of Athens.
Furthermore, he has one of the University of Miami’s longest javelin throws and has garnered awards such as a Fulbright Scholarship. George’s mother, Amy Weida Karlaftis, is an accomplished athlete in her field. She excelled in three sports while attending West Lafayette High School and graduated as the all-time leading scorer in girls’ basketball. Amy’s Purdue sports adventure included volleyball at the co-rec, where she met Matt and began their long love story.
Matt Karlaftis died of a heart attack in 2014, causing a devastating turn of events for his family. Amy departed to deal with the problems of parenting four small children, and the family opted to return to West Lafayette, Indiana.
