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Love in the League: These NFL Power Couples Scored More Than A Touchdown With Each Other

Mike Evans and Ashli Dotson

Here’s another pair of college sweethearts: Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Ashli Dotson. The pair got married in 2016 in Texas. They share two children and also raise Evans’ daughter from a previous relationship. The family lives in Tampa.

 

The couple is committed to helping children. Through the Mike Evans Family Foundation, they create opportunities for them to achieve their dreams and host free football camps. It also provides assistance to women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Andrew East and Shawn Johnson

Former Washington Redskins long snapper Andrew East has his brother Guy to thank for his wife, Olympic gold medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson. Guy insisted that Johnson meet his little brother. The latter flew to L.A. to meet her while she was filming “Dancing With the Stars.”

East proposed in 2015 at Wrigley Field, after Johnson threw the ceremonial pitch. The crowd went wild for her enthusiastic yes. They got married in less than a year. They have two children.

Brady Quinn and Alicia Sacramone

There’s no shortage of long-term romances in the NFL, is there? Former quarterback Brady Quinn and Olympic silver medalist Alicia Sacramone, are examples of this. They are believed to have started dating in 2009 before tying the knot in 2014.

With their sports careers behind them, they are focused on their three daughters and various endeavors. Sacramone works as a certified fitness trainer while Quinn has embarked on a career in broadcasting. He also founded the 3rd and Goal Foundation.

Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles

A gymnast would always need a safety of sorts. Just ask Simone Biles. In 2020, the Olympic gold medalist and Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owen became a couple. The romance began how relationships begin nowadays: through a dating app. Yup, the couple met on Raya.

Owens had confessed to having no idea who Biles was when they met—a fact that pleased her. They became Instagram official in 2020. In February 2022, Owens popped the question, and naturally, she said yes.

A.J. McCarron and Katherine Webb

These days, a lot of romances begin thanks to dating apps. For former Atlanta Falcons quarterback A.J. McCarron and model Katherine Webb, it took 140 characters. That’s right—they met on Twitter. It’s a perfect love story for the digital age.

McCarron and Webb were longtime lovers before tying the knot in March 2014. He plays football in a professional minor league while she’s wowing old and new fans with her talent in painting. They are parents to three boys.

Matthew Stafford and Kelly Hall

Ready for another storybook match in sports? Fantastic because here’s Matthew Stafford and Kelly Hall. A football player and a cheerleader falling in love is nothing new, but when it lasts, it’s a different matter. They met during college at the University of Georgia.

Married since 2015, they were put to the test when Hall was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She underwent a twelve-hour surgery and then a long recovery period. Stafford was at her side the entire time.

Drew Brees and Brittany Dudchenko

Former quarterback Drew Brees first took his shot with Brittany Dudchenko—but with disastrous results. But he tried again a few months later. Maybe because he was sober and used no line, she gave him another chance. They got married in 2003.

With football behind him, Brees has kept busy. Besides raising three children with his wife, he also owns restaurants and provides support for patients with cancer through the Brees Dream Foundation. He also makes regular tours with the USO.

Jordan Cameron and Elin Nordegren

When a turbulent marriage ends but is relentlessly covered by the media, anyone would wish for quiet. Elin Nordegren, whose ex-husband is golfer Tiger Woods, knows this too well. But then, mutual friends introduced her to Jordan Cameron.

He is a former football tight end. At only 28 years old, he retired due to growing concerns about past injuries on his health should he continue playing. The couple keeps away from the spotlight. They welcomed a son in October 2019.

Zach Ertz and Julie Ertz

When it comes to power couples in sports, Zach and Julie Ertz have their game on. Zach, the Cardinals’ tight end, and Julie, a soccer player for the U.S. national team, met through mutual friends while in college. The romance culminated in a ceremony in 2017.

They enjoy doing activities together, such as appearing in ESPN’s The Body Issue and putting up the non-profit Ertz Family Foundation. They were inspired to do the latter following Zach’s charity trip to Haiti.

Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson

Married since 2014, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson and singer Jessica Simpson prove that sports and pop music go well together.

In 2020, Simpson published her memoir, “Open Book,” which became a global best-seller. Johnson never misses a chance to praise her, sometimes with hilarious results. When he tagged her in a birthday greeting on his Instagram page back in 2021, he thought she was turning 39 years old. Fans had to correct him: she was already 41.

 Tony Gonzalez and October Gonzalez

Things were definitely shaken and stirred when former Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez met his future wife October. At a bar in Newport Beach, Cupid’s arrow struck Tony right in the heart when he saw the beautiful bartender.

He invited her out, but she turned him down as she was in a long-term relationship then. But a year after first meeting her, Tony found out she was single. He drove to Orange County to see her, and the rest is history.

Jerry Rice and Latisha Pelayo

While some couples take the plunge immediately, Jerry Rice and Latisha Pelayo took their sweet time. The former wide receiver proposed to his long-time girlfriend in 2018, then tied the knot a year later in Napa Valley.

Rice’s marriage to Pelayo is his second, as he was previously married to Bernice Mitchell. Ever since having left football, he has co-authored several books, appeared in a video game with his dog Nitus, and was a contestant in “Dancing With the Stars.”

Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek

Together since 2015, Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek still have to put a ring on it as of 2022. Despite this, Kostek has always been a vocal supporter of her long-time partner—not surprising since she was a professional cheerleader.

Gronkowski initially left football in 2019, for reasons of mental health. But one season later, he signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then in 2022, he announced his retirement again, this time for good. They look forward to a fresh, new lifestyle together.

Chris Godwin and Mariah DelPercio

Say no more when it comes to long-lasting love because Chris Goodwin and Mariah DelPercio may just as well write the book on it! The wide receiver and sports dietitian have been together since high school. They wed in Malibu in 2021.

Besides sharing a passion for sports, they also advocate pet adoption. Through the Team Godwin Foundation that they run together, they provide assistance to local shelters and animal rescue groups. They have two adopted dogs named Ghost and Ziggy.

Peyton Manning and Ashley Thompson

Here is another love story anyone embarking on a new romance can only dream about: Peyton Manning and Ashley Thompson. The former quarterback has been married to his college sweetheart since 2001.

Besides being partners in raising three children, they are also committed philanthropists. They founded the PeyBack Foundation, whose goal is to help underprivileged and at-risk children succeed in life. Generous donors, they also have a health institution named after them, the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo

When it comes to a couple who support each other, look no further than San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo, who was Miss Universe in 2012. They show true love lasts.

Their romance began in 2019. Since then, they have continued to grow together and gush about each other on social media. Culpo absolutely loves to cheer him on, especially before games. McCaffrey, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his excitement when she landed the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition” cover.

Odell Beckham Jr. and Lauren Wood

In 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. made a one-handed touchdown catch that not only had sports pundits proclaiming it as the greatest catch ever made but also landed him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. So is it surprising that he snared the heart of Lauren Wood?

Beckham and Wood have been together since 2019. Though low-key, they express love for each other often on their Instagram pages. In 2021, they welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Zydn.

 Joe Montana and Jennifer Wallace

When a Super Bowl MVP and aspiring model and actress meet, fireworks are inevitable, right? Not really. Joe Montana, then a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers was instantly smitten by Jennifer Wallace, who had no idea who he was. 

They met while filming a commercial for Schick. She found him charming but shy. He asked her out and six months later, they were engaged. They got married in 1985 and settled down in San Francisco. They have four children. 

Daniel Sorensen and Whitney Sorensen

Here’s another romance that ages like fine wine: New Orleans Saints safety Daniel Sorensen and his wife, Whitney. The college sweethearts exchanged their vows on April 26, 2013.

Daniel and Whitney are fairly active on social media. When he’s not posting photos with teammates, he drums up support for further research on Parkinson’s disease, which claimed his father, or for local farmers. She likes to share workout snaps. Occasionally, they post photos of each other or with their four children.

Landry Jones and Whitney Hand

Imagine being so famous as a college couple to be dubbed “Brangelina” by “The Oklahoman.” That’s exactly what happened to Landry Jones and Whitney Hand, who played football and basketball respectively. Being rising stars in their chosen sport, they got drafted into the pros.

Jones has his quarterback days behind him and is a father of three. Hand obtained a Master’s degree and is a certified performance/leadership coach. She focuses on development through the athletic experience and anxiety in sports.

Scotty Miller and Jenna Miller

Here’s another romance with a football player and a gymnast: Scotty Miller and his wife, Jenna. They met in tertiary school at Bowling Green State University during Halloween. But they had a long-distance romance after a while when she transferred to another institute.

Scotty lucked out on a supportive partner in Jenna. She’s been known to practice throws with him, thanks to her athletic training. In fact, Buccaneers fans and Scotty credit her with the team’s Super Bowl win in 2021.

Harrison Butker and Isabelle Butker

Guess who has been kicking it together since high school? Harrison and Isabelle Butker. Sweethearts since then, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker married her in 2018. On their big day, he made sure to fill his Instagram page with highlights from the ceremony.

Isabelle is not active on social media, unlike her husband. Harrison often shares training photos, as well as of his family. He also co-owns the beverage brand Phocus and NOVUS Clothing Company, apparel specially designed for athletes.

Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Philanthropist, successful entrepreneur, best-selling author, and husband to Miss Universe 2017, the South African Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters—clearly, everything is going great with Tim Tebow, right? Absolutely.

The former football and baseball player and pageant queen have been together since 2017. In 2020, they jetted off to South Africa to have a thirty-minute wedding ceremony. Taking a cue from her husband, who runs the Tim Tebow Foundation, Demi-Leigh put up Unbreakable. It is a series of workshops aimed at empowering women.

Nnamdi Asomugha and Kerry Washington

A couple that has talent in spades is former Oakland Raiders player Nnamdi Asomugha and “Scandal” actress Kerry Washington. Washington has been nominated multiple times for an Emmy and a Golden Globe award. Plus, she has also done Broadway.

It seems the acting bug got to Asomugha too. For his role as Carl King in the movie “Crown Heights,” he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. Will their two children act too? Time will tell.

Josh Allen and Brittany Williams

It’s possible to marry a crush from childhood—just ask Brittany Williams. In an Instagram post, she revealed that Josh Allen, a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, has been a crush since they were eight years old. That’s right; they were also childhood friends.

It was not until college in 2017 that things took a romantic turn. Brittany, a former cheerleader for Fresno State, now cheers only for Josh. She is often a lively presence for her man during games.

Golden Tate and Elise Pollard

When former wide receiver Golden Tate popped the question to longtime love Elise Pollard, he did it with a custom engagement ring. It’s possible Elise charmingly copied his idea when she decided what to wear for their ceremony.

When they exchanged vows during a seaside nuptial in 2017, she wore a custom gown she had designed herself. Dreamy details of her attire for the big day were brought to life by dressmaker Olga Szwed. In 2022, they welcomed their third child.

Mike Evans and Ashli Dotson

Here’s another pair of college sweethearts: Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Ashli Dotson. The pair got married in 2016 in Texas. They share two children and also raise Evans’ daughter from a previous relationship. The family lives in Tampa.

The couple is committed to helping children. Through the Mike Evans Family Foundation, they create opportunities for them to achieve their dreams and host free football camps. It also provides assistance to women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews

Sports brought together quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews, who played pro soccer for a women’s team in Iceland. They started dating in high school. In fact, a throwback photo from their prom shared by  Mahomes with his Instagram followers garnered close to 10,000 likes.

Married since 2022, the couple has two little children. They are also co-owners of sports teams: the baseball team Kansas City Royals for him and the Kansas City Current women’s soccer team for her.

Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker

Another romance and eventual marriage resulting from a mutual friend introducing them are Eric and Jessie James Decker. The former Denver Broncos wide receiver was introduced to the country singer in 2011—after Eric was shown a photo of Jessie.

He was the one to text first, which pleased Jessie. In her memoir, “Just Jessie,” she revealed that before getting into another relationship, she wanted to be pursued. No wonder Eric got her attention! They had a wedding in 2012.

Curtis Conway and Laila Ali

Someone who got TKO’d by love is former wide receiver Curtis Conway. So who delivered that romantic punch to the heart? None other than champion boxer Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali.

They got married in July 2007, four months after Ali retired from boxing. When their two children don’t keep them on their toes, they concentrate on various professional endeavors. Ali has the Laila Ali Lifestyle website and Conway works as a co-host for the NFL Network.

Ryan Tannehill and Lauren Tannehill

Despite attending Texas A&M University together, Ryan and Lauren Tannehill didn’t cross paths. He was a biology major, and she studied psychology. So where did they meet? During Spring Break in Florida. Since then, they have been hardly apart.

The Tennessee Titans quarterback married his love in 2012. When the pair are not busy with their two children, they are busy with their charity foundation: Achieving Community and Education Success (ACES). They help secondary school students contribute to their communities.

Kyle Van Noy and Marissa Powell

Sometimes, a pairing is so right that one thinks the stars did align to put them together: Kyle Van Noy and Marissa Powell. When the linebacker met the singer and Miss USA third runner-up, he revealed that he was adopted. She then said her dad and brother are also adopted.

With this common ground, they fell in love and got married in 2014. While raising a daughter, they also work to remove adoption stigma through the Van Noy Valor Foundation.

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