bˈɔːɹn ɪn ɡɹˈænd ɹˈæpɪdz, mˈɪʃɪɡən, stˈeɪdʒɛŋɡə ʃˈoʊd æθlˈɛɾɪk ɐbˈɪləɾi æɾ ɐn ˈɜːli ˈeɪdʒ, wˈɪnɪŋ ðə nˈæʃənəl fˈʊtbɔːl lˈiːɡz pˈʌnt, pˈæs, ænd kˈɪk fɔːɹ jˈuːθs æɾ ˈeɪdʒ nˈaɪn.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steigenga showed athletic ability at an early age, winning the National Football League's Punt, Pass, and Kick for youths at age nine.