Former San Diego Chargers placekicker Rolf Benirschke has been elected the chairman of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Board of Trustees, officials announced Tuesday.
Benirschke, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Steven Simpson, who will continue to serve on the board.
Benirschke’s father, Kurt Benirschke, was instrumental in establishing the Alliance’s conservation research program, laying the foundation for decades of scientific innovation. Rolf worked in the research lab at the zoo while he was in college and later created Kicks for Critters, a fundraising and awareness platform for the zoo and endangered species, when playing for the Chargers…