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 nearby Rochester High School.

During the summer of 1931, Jerry's family moved to Los Angeles, CA, and Jerry entered Garfield High School, graduating in 1933. 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".

Later, Jerry attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, where he played football. 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 College All-Star team.

After graduating from St. Mary's, Jerry was drafted in the second NFL Draft of college players in New York City on 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 second place in the NFL's Eastern Division. Jerry played left offensive tackle and defensive tackle, playing in all eleven games and starting six.

In 1939, Jerry played in the American Football League for the Los Angeles Bulldogs. Jerry returned to the NFL with the New York Giants in 1940, playing in all eleven games and starting three. After his final game in the NFL, in 1944, he played for the Los Angeles Mustangs in the American Football League and for the Hollywood Wolves in the Pacific Coast Football League.

Jerry earned a master's degree in history in 1940 and a doctorate in education in 1958 from the University of Southern California. After he left professional sports, Jerry spent many years in school administration, 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 eleven years and then at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach as a social studies teacher until his death.

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