Jerry Dennerlein was born December 1, 1915, in Ambridge, PA. Jerry spent his early years in the Ambridge/Baden area, and in 1929 transferred to Rochester High School.

During the summer of 1931, Jerry's family moved to Los Angeles, and Jerry entered Garfield High School, graduating in 1933. While at Garfield, Jerry played varsity football and varsity track. In 1935, "Penn", as he was called at Garfield, set the high school record for the shot put at 49'10½".
After graduation, Jerry attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, where he played football for four years. In 1936, Jerry was named by the Associated Press to the All-America squad of 33 collegiate players, and in 1937 Jerry was named to the 1937 College All-Star Team.

After graduating from St. Mary's, Jerry was drafted in the 2nd NFL draft of college players in New York City, December 26, 1936, in round 3 as the 24th overall pick by the New York Giants. In 1937, Jerry played for the Giants, coached by Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Owen. The Giants, whose home games were played at the Polo Grounds, finished in 2nd place in the NFL's Eastern Division. Jerry was a primary starter, left offensive tackle and defensive tackle, playing in all eleven games and starting six. In 1940, Jerry returned to the NFL with the New York Giants, playing in all eleven games and starting three.

In between playing for the Giants in 1937 and 1940, Jerry played in the American Football League for the Los Angeles Bulldogs in 1939. After his final game in the National Football League and a brief hiatus, in 1944 he played for the Los Angeles Mustangs in the American Football League. 1944 was Jerry's last year in football, in the Pacific Coast Football League with the Hollywood Wolves.

Jerry earned a master's degree in history in 1940 and a doctorate in education in 1958 from the University of Southern California. When he left professional sports, Jerry spent many years in administrative school positions, including principal at three California schools: Elsinore, Azusa, and Rockpile Elementary. Jerry left administration and taught at Poly High School in Long Beach, CA, for 11 years and then at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach as a social studies teacher until his death.

Gerald "Jerry" E. Dennerlein died July 29, 1966, at age 50, in Los Angeles County, CA.