A Nuptial Celebration at Wildcat Territory
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In September of last year, as the leaves began to transition into shades of gold around the outdoor entertainment venue and vineyard near Wamego, Kansas, Ty Zentner stood poised, akin to a place kicker awaiting his moment to make a game-winning play.The former Kansas State standout had faced pressure before, but nothing compared to the nervous sweat on his brow as he watched Emilee Ebert exit the building. She turned to find Zentner waiting behind the door to surprise her.
“More nervous than any football play in my entire life,” Zentner recalls. “As she walked out the door, everything else left my mind.”
The couple strolled through the picturesque courtyard toward the vineyard. Zentner then stopped, dropped to one knee, expressed his love for Emilee, and asked for her hand in marriage, presenting her with an engagement ring.
“Of course, I cried,” Ebert says. “I didn’t know he was going to propose that day. I was so excited.”
Thus began a new chapter in their story, one that will continue as Ebert and Zentner celebrate life together. The couple will be married this summer, exchanging traditional vows. The primary wedding color will be mulberry—a beautiful shade of pink—complemented by gold and navy. Desserts will feature cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, as both are big on desserts. The guest list is extensive.
“When you have so many people in your corner, it’s hard not to have a big wedding,” Ebert says. “You want everyone to celebrate with you.”
Before the proposal and wedding, there was the initial introduction between Ebert and Zentner. This happened in May 2022 at a Catbacker Tour stop in Colby, Kansas. Ebert, about to start her junior year, represented the K-State women’s basketball team, while Zentner, heading into his senior year, represented the K-State football team at the fan gathering at Meadow Lake Golf Course. After speaking to a roomful of K-State supporters about their lives and passion for sports, Ebert and Zentner stood outside and started talking about basketball, forging a friendship. Zentner took Ebert to Baskin Robbins for their first date on June 7—his birthday. After ice cream, they watched the NBA Finals.
“What stood out to me the most was that she was a very sweet, genuine woman, and she cares a lot about her family,” Zentner says. “That’s something I immediately loved about her. And, I mean, you can’t miss her smile.”
Ebert adds, “It’s funny that being student-athletes at Kansas State, it took us going to Colby, Kansas, to have our first conversation.”
As student-athletes, they understood each other’s demanding schedules and lifestyles. Zentner was aware that Ebert’s basketball season started in the middle of the football season.
“Usually, we had evenings free to hang out, but during my season, it became tricky with all the traveling,” Ebert explains. “Naturally, there were some big games of his that I had to miss.”
Perhaps no game was bigger than K-State’s 31-28 overtime victory against No. 4 TCU in the 2022 Big 12 Championship Game. Zentner’s game-winning 31-yard field goal is arguably the most clutch kick in K-State football history. Ebert was at home, preparing for a basketball game the next day.
“When I saw him coming out to kick on TV, I was super nervous, sitting on the back of the couch shaking, and I barely wanted to watch. But when he came out with a smile, I was like, ‘Oh, we got this,'” Ebert recalls. “Maybe five minutes later, we FaceTimed, so it was fun.”
Today, Zentner is preparing for his upcoming season as a punter with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans signed him to the practice squad during the 2023 season. Zentner originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Houston Texans. He played in four games with the Texans in 2023, punting 14 times for an average of 42.1 yards, and later punted 24 times for the Titans, averaging 46.5 yards.
Ebert and Zentner are planning a mini-honeymoon in San Diego, where Zentner will train for a week before the season.
“I’ve never been to San Diego, so I think it’ll be fun,” Ebert says. “He’ll still get to work out. We’ll go on a big honeymoon after football season.”
On July 4, they will watch the Wamego Fireworks Show together, which holds special significance as it was where Zentner asked Ebert to be his girlfriend.
“It’ll be our two-year anniversary this year,” Zentner says. “Her family has a tradition of going to the fireworks show for a long time now. We’re looking forward to keeping that tradition alive.”
There will be more Fourth-of-July memories to come, but none might top this one as the couple begins their life journey together this summer.
“I couldn’t be more thankful to have Emilee in my life,” Zentner says. “I’m just so excited to spend the rest of my life with her, start a family, create our legacy, and impact the community. We want to live in Manhattan. I couldn’t tell you if I’ll be in the NFL for 10 years or how that’ll all shake out, but we’re both excited for our future and all the opportunities we’ll have.”
In essence, it all began one day last September, when Zentner asked Ebert to marry him. The former football player and women’s basketball player, who met in Colby, Kansas, will walk arm in arm in Manhattan surrounded by family and friends.
Tears of happiness. And excitement.
And the start of a new chapter for this perfect couple.
