Ehrmann attended Syracuse University, where he was a three-year footballletterman in 1969, 1970 and 1972. Primarily a defensive tackle, he was an All-American selection in 1970. He was named to the university's football All-Century Team on October 28, 1999. He was also the recipient of the George Arents Pioneers Medal, the university's highest alumni honor, in 2004.
In 1978, the same year Ehrmann played in the Pro Bowl, he watched his brother Billy lose his fight with cancer. This experience caused Ehrmann to rethink and reorder his priorities in life. Ehrmann spearheaded the construction of a Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore in memory of Billy. In the off-season, Ehrmann attended classes at Dallas Theological Seminary and, following his football career, he graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, specializing in urban ministry. He was ordained in 1985. In the years since then, Ehrmann and his wife Paula created Building Men and Women for Others, an organization that addresses many societal challenges including violence, child advocacy, and much more. They also co-founded "The Door", a community center in inner-city Baltimore. He has also served as a pastor of the 4,000-member Grace Fellowship Church in Baltimore. On March 26, 2013, he spoke on an all-male panel called "Breaking the Male Code" hosted by Eve Ensler, addressing the issue of violence against women in the wake of the Steubenville High School Rape case. He also appeared in the 2015 Netflix film The Mask You Live In, which takes a look at masculinity and values boys are taught growing up in American society.
''Season of Life''
Prompted by an article about the demolition of the Colts' Memorial Stadium, author Jeffrey Marx reconnected with Ehrmann and became fascinated both with his ministry and his work as a volunteer Defensive Coordinator coach for the football team at Gilman School, an all-boys school in Baltimore, where he and Head Coach Biff Poggi continue to teach and coach football with a 'building men for others' strategy. In 2004, Marx's book was published, featuring the Gilman football team and the life lessons Coaches Poggi and Ehrmann teach. The book became a New York Times best-seller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. He also supports the movement, sponsored by the Howard County Maryland Library, by attending seminars as a celebrity guest.
Personal life
Ehrmann is very proud of his 4 children and enjoys spending time with his 4 grandchildren.
