NFL: Lukas Van Ness’ dad goes viral for punching his son’s girlfriend live on TV on draft night
Top contender Lukas Van Ness in the NFL may want to stay away from social media for the next few days as his father was caught double-bapping his girlfriend on live national TV after being picked on the defensive end by the Green Bay Packers.
While celebrating his son’s big night with family on Thursday, Jason Van Ness Lukas’s girlfriend, Frankie Kmet, delivered two totally unexpected slaps to the buttocks, which were caught on camera. The father of four is married to Leanna, Lukas’ mother. Both went to Iowa for school, as did their oldest son.
Frankie, 21, is three years younger than her older brother, Cole, who is a tight end for the Chicago Bears. She didn’t seem to react at all after Lukas’ father made his brutal moves.
Later, the daughter of retired NFL defenseman Frank Kmet shared an Instagram story of her hugging Lukas, who was selected as the number 13 of this year’s NFL Draft.
“Go Pak Go @lukas_vanness,” she wrote.
Jason Van Ness gave his son’s girlfriend Frankie a double tap on her backside after it was announced that the Packers drafted Lukas as the No. 13 overall pick on Thursday night
Lukas and Frankie, both 21, dated while the tight-knit club played college football for Iowa
Lukas participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana in March
Frankie shared an Instagram story hugging Luas after his draft selection and the a** tap
Earlier in the evening, a clip of Lukas on his phone being told he had been summoned by Green Bay while also surrounded by one of his two sisters, Ella, his girlfriend and a mystery blonde woman, went viral on Twitter .
Lukas’ other sister is Hanna and the NFL player also has a younger brother, Devan. Hanna now works for Hewlett-Packard, according to her LinkedIn, while Ella is still going to Iowa. Both girls went to the same school as their football-playing brother.
“Packers draft pick Lukas Van Ness is already dating three girlfriends like a savvy NFL veteran,” Dan O’Donnell, a radio show host in Milwaukee, told me, as he seemed unfamiliar with the athlete’s entourage in the video.
Lukas opted to stay at his parents’ home in Fontana, Wisconsin, on Thursday to spend with his family what was probably the biggest night of his life yet instead of traveling for this year’s trek in Kansas City, Missouri , to attend.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better result,” he said. The young buck prepared for the trek by training in California with a group that included Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark. “I’m so glad I’m Packer. I can’t wait to get out and wear that green.”
Green Bay started the week with the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, but they moved up two spots as part of the blockbuster that sent four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
Lukas showed his explosiveness by getting a combined 13 1/2 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in two Iowa seasons. He did all of that without starting a single game for the Hawkeyes.
Lukas, nicknamed ‘Hercules’ because of his muscle mass, has two sisters, Ella and Hanna
Hanna now works for Hewlett-Packard while Ella is still going to Iowa. Both girls went to the same school as their football-playing brother.
The Van Ness’ are a family of six and are all Iowa graduates or students. From LR: Father Jason, Hanna, Devan, Ella, Lukas and Mother Leanna
“I’ve been asked this question thousands of times over the past few months,” Lukas said. “I was very happy with the way my time in Iowa turned out. It’s just the Iowa way. I had two wonderful fifth-year seniors who gave the time and years to the program.”
The pick’s versatility in the first round intrigued the Packers, as he played both tackle and end for Iowa. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers could use him as an edge rusher and occasionally have him work indoors as well.
Gutekunst was also impressed by Lukas’ long-term potential. The former high school hockey player has come a long way in a short period of time.
Lukas said he weighed 220 pounds when he arrived in Iowa in 2020 and wore a red shirt during the pandemic-shortened season. He is now ranked number 272 and has a physique that earned him the nickname ‘Hercules’.
“I love sports so honestly it’s a cool nickname,” said Lukas.