Drew Brees, Brittany Dudchenko, 20 Years Together
Drew Brees might have retired after the 2020 season but left a legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. After his retirement, he spent the 2021 season as an analyst on NBC Sunday Night Football and, in 2022, as an interim assistant football coach at Purdue.
More than that, he spends his time being a dedicated man to his wife, Brittany Dudchenko. The pair have been together since their college years at Purdue University and tied the knot in 2003. Since then, they share four children. Drew gushed to US Weekly that he fell in love with Brittany more every day.
Peyton Manning, Ashley Manning, 22 Years Together
Peyton Manning, also known as the Sheriff, maintained a lowkey personal life despite his highly successful football career. He is a member of the Manning football dynasty and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. He met the love of his life, Ashley Manning, before his first year at the University of Tennessee.
Peyton also shared that they were introduced by Ashley's parents' next-door neighbor. Destiny paved the way, and during St. Patrick's Day in 2001, the couple sealed their union in marriage. They welcomed their twins, Marshall and Mosley, ten years later, who made their life even more vibrant.
Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, 13 Years Together
When Tom Brady, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his Brazilian model wife, Gisele Bündchen, first met in 2006 at a friend's house, it was love at first sight. They decided to live together for the rest of their lives in just three years.
On February 26, 2009, at St. Monica Catholic Church in California, the lovebirds exchanged vows just one month after becoming engaged. However, when Brady returned to football in 2022 after retiring, their marriage started to experience problems. Eventually, on October 28, 2022, the duo filed for divorce. The court soon ruled that their marriage was dissolved and "irretrievably broken."
Aaron Rodgers, Shailene Woodley, 1 Year Together
In February 2021, the world was surprised when Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley announced their engagement. In his 2021 NFL MVP award speech, the Green Bay Packers quarterback confirmed his engagement to the "Divergent" actress Shailene Woodley.
Woodley and Rodgers may have kept a low profile at the start of their relationship, but they've had their fair share of public ups and downs since, including a breakup and subsequent engagement. While they both attempted to keep the romance alive, they eventually drifted apart due to their hectic schedules and ideological disagreements. A year after getting engaged, in February 2022, the couple announced they were breaking up.
Kirk Cousins, Julie Hampton, 9 Years Together
Kirk Cousins is a big name in the world of football, having been ranked eighth in the NFL's all-time regular season career passer rating and nominated to four Pro Bowls. Behind this ever-successful career is a very supportive wife, Julie Hampton, with whom he has been married since 2014.
The love birds met through a mutual family friend in 2012, the same year Kirk joined the NFL. Julie often shares her support online, yet behind the field, the two enjoy their happy home life with their two children. The couple runs a charity, the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, while Kirk continues to shine as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
Justin Fields, Gianna Carmona, Undisclosed
Justin Fields made history as one of the fastest quarterbacks, and the future looks even more promising. He is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Unlike many, he prefers to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, which made people even more intrigued by his life outside the field.
Rumors have it that Justin is dating Instagram model Gianna Carmona, based in Miami and Arizona. Despite her line of career, she maintains a relatively private profile. Neither of them has confirmed their relationship, yet many sources claim they have been dating for a couple of years.
Daniel Jones, Ella Bonafede, Undisclosed
Since his high school years, Daniel Jones has always been set for the football scene. He serves as the quarterback for the New York Giants and, in 2023, signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the team. Despite his rising status, Daniel has been pretty tight-lipped with his personal life.
He has been dating Ella Bonadefe, and their love story goes way back to their time at Duke University, where he started playing football. According to the U.S. Sun, Ella is also a talented athlete and played on the university's lacrosse team. The pair have been extremely private and keep details of their relationship under wraps.
Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Matthews, 11 Years Together
One of the lucky couples who are fortunate enough to find true love in high school is Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews. They both participated in athletics while in high school but in separate fields. Whereas Matthews played soccer, Mahomes excelled in both football and baseball.
After dating for ten years, Mahomes and Matthews tied the knot in March 2022. They have two kids, both born in 2022. The lovebirds are also joint owners of two sports clubs in the city where they live and work: the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Current of women's professional soccer.
Josh Allen, Brittany Williams, 5 Years Together
It's possible to achieve certain long-held goals. Brittany Williams had a major crush on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen since they were eight. Their first encounter was at a friend's birthday celebration. Even though they had known each other since childhood, it wasn't until college in 2017 that things started to get passionate between them.
Williams, a Pilate teacher in her own right, has been there for her guy ever since he first started playing football. She attended the 2018 draft when Allen was a rookie with the Buffalo Bills and often posts images from games she attends to cheer him on.
Lamar Jackson, Jamie Taylor, 6 Years Together
In the National Football League, Lamar Jackson is among the elite players. In 2018, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd overall selection. The rookie quarterback was the driving force behind the team's successful season. In his first game as a member of the Bengals, Jackson led his team to a victory over the Ravens.
The celebrated athlete started seeing Jamie Taylor, the woman who would soon become the love of his life, while still a student at the University of Louisville. Although they have been an item since 2017, the duo has chosen to keep details of their romance private.
Russell Wilson, Ciara, 8 Years Together
A meeting between two of the brightest stars in the entertainment industry often leads to supernova romances. That is indeed precisely what happened in 2015 when Russell Wilson met Ciara. Ciara's engagement to the rapper Future ended, and she soon began dating and eventually married Wilson in July 2016. They have three kids, Future Jr., Ciara's child from her previous relationship, and their two kids.
Both of them are successful in their own right. Wilson has endorsement deals with Nike, Pepsi, and Microsoft and is a spokesman for all three companies; Ciara, on the other hand, besides singing, owns a rum company and has written children's books.
Derrick Henry, Adrianna Rivas, 5 Years Together
Derrick Henry is an unstoppable force when rushing on the field for the Tennessee Titans. He has been the NFL's leading rusher for two consecutive seasons thanks to his great stiff arm and ability to avoid tackles. His girlfriend, Adriana Rivas, is one of his biggest and most vocal supporters.
The first documented photo of the couple together was taken during Henry's 2018 Alabama graduation, though it is unclear when they began dating. Since then, the two have become relatively open about showing off their romantic relationship on social media platforms. In May 2020, the couple had their daughter, Valentina Allure Henry.
Cooper Kupp, Anna Kupp, 8 Years Together
Cooper Kupp, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, has an impressive résumé that includes Offensive Player of the Year honors, Super Bowl MVP honors, and a place at the top of the all-time list for the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
In high school, he met Anna, who would eventually become his wife. Anna gave Cooper a medal she had won at a high school track competition, and they became fast friends. The two began dating in the fall of their first year of college, were engaged in March 2014, and tied the knot in June 2015, right before their sophomore year ended.
Justin Herbert, Taylor Bisciotti, Unknown
The Los Angeles Chargers choose quarterback Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Herbert has shattered several records and proven himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in a short time.
Even though he and Taylor Bisciotti haven't publicly acknowledged it, rumors surrounding their relationship claim that the two are an item. He was the youngest of six brothers and grew up in a house where football was a way of life. Meanwhile, she is the only girl of four children, and like the boys, she has been profoundly impacted by athletics.
Tyreek Hill, Mary Isabel, 1 Year Together
Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, was transferred to the Miami Dolphins in March 2022. He used to be a return specialist but has now switched positions to wide receiver and is the quickest player in the league. In addition to being a Super Bowl champion, he is one of the league's finest wide receivers.
He proposed to Keeta Vaccaro, who has a clothing, real estate, and fitness business. Although they never officially confirmed their breakup, it was widely assumed to have occurred when Hill was spotted in 2022 with Mary Isabel, a painter, and model.
Stefon Diggs, Tae Heckard, 4 Years Together
After playing college football at Maryland, the Minnesota Vikings selected wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Diggs's play has only gotten better since then, and the Buffalo Bills signed him in 2020.
Tae Heckard is the longtime girlfriend of the football great. Diggs and Heckard have been business partners since the summer of 2019. However, we still don't really know how their relationship took a new turn. Since their romance was made public, they've had their fair share of ups and downs. But the pair has persevered despite their age gap and bumpy beginning.
Jalen Ramsey, Breanna Tate, Unknown
Jalen Ramsey, the cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, where he quickly rose to become the league's best cornerback, and his career took off from there.
Ramsey has fathered two children with his ex-girlfriend Breanna Tate but has also dated other women. She is Golden Hermen Tate's sister, an NFL player. Their first daughter, Bree Erin, was born in 2018, and they made headlines again in 2019 with the birth of their second daughter, Brooklyn. While Ramsay reportedly dated Monica Giavanna in 2019, they have since broken up, and he is now allegedly single in 2023.
Aaron Donald, Erica Sherman, 4 Years Together
The Los Angeles Rams selected defensive end Aaron Donald as the 13th overall choice in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. As a member of the NFL, Donald has never missed a Pro Bowl. He is widely considered to be one of the best defensive players of all time, thanks to his incredible track record and outstanding accomplishments.
Donald's wife, Erica Sherman, is also his head of marketing. We know almost little about the length of time they had been dating before their engagement in 2020. Donald had two children with his high school sweetheart, Jaelynn Blakey, before he started dating Sherman.
Deebo Samuel, Mahogany Jones, 4 Years Together
Deebo Samuel was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent his first four years as a professional. His career had some ups and downs, but ultimately, he has been recognized as the league's top performer with honors such as First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.
The star player is dating Mahogany Jones, a rapper, model, actress, and businesswoman. She runs the business of selling lounge and swimwear under her label, Shades of Mahogany. They first met in 2019, when she was starting to gain notoriety thanks to her music videos. Fans were thrilled when little Tyshun Raequan Samuel was born to the pair in December 2021.
Jonathan Taylor, Ayanna Chapman, 9 Years Together
Two Salem High School players found love with one another when Jonathan Taylor, a running back for the Indianapolis Colts, fell in love with Ayanna Chapman, his High school sweetheart. In addition to football, Chapman participated in field hockey, basketball, and track. She also went on to play field hockey together at Ball State.
Taylor, meanwhile, attended Wisconsin for football before joining the Colts as the 41st overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft. The celebrity pair have been quite public about their romance, posting several sweet photographs and videos on their social media accounts. Taylor proposed to his longtime girlfriend in March of 2022.
T.J. Watt, Dani Rhodes, 7 Years Together
After dating for six years, T.J. Watt and Dani Rhodes tied the knot in 2022. They first met while attending the University of Wisconsin, where they both thrived in athletics. Rhodes is an accomplished soccer player who played for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League.
Watt immediately joined the NFL after graduating from college, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Due to his stellar defensive play, he has been recognized as one of the best defensive ends in the league. He was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award for two years running before ultimately winning it in 2021.
Joe Burrow, Olivia Holzmacher, 5 Years Together
Joe Burrow and Olivia Holzmacher are committed to one another for the long haul, even if they have not yet said: "I do." They've known one another since their days at Ohio University and are still very much in love. The duo's relationship thrived even when Burrow moved to Louisiana State University. He's the starting quarterback for the Bengals of Cincinnati now.
Among Burrow's ancestors are several notable athletes. Both of his grandfathers were basketball players, and his dad played for nearly 40 years before becoming a coach. In addition, all of his elder brothers and his uncle also participated in college football.
Justin Jefferson, Tianna Harris, 3 Years Together
NFL player and top wideout Justin Jefferson have already established himself as a star in the league. Jefferson was selected for the Pro Bowl and the second team of All-Pros in each of his first two seasons. The former LSU standout came in second place in voting for the AP's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season in the league.
According to reports, Jefferson and his girlfriend, Tianna Harris, have been together since 2020. She is also a student and a former college soccer player for Kent State University and has a significant following as an Instagram model.
DeAndre Hopkins, Breanna Young, 1 Year Together
NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins plays for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. The Houston Texans selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Hopkins has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and has made five All-Pro teams. He's dating Instagram model Breanna Young.
Young and Hopkins were first sighted together on a beach in May 2022. The romance was out in the open after she posted a photo of them on her Instagram. Young has a child with ex-NFL wideout Josh Stewart, whom she dated before meeting Hopkins. Besides being an online influencer, the latter is also a qualified pilot.
Ezekiel Elliott, Halle Woodard, 5 Years Together
The Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott has made a strong debut season and quickly rose to prominence as one of the NFL's elite running backs. Even though Elliott and Halle Woodard made concerted efforts to keep their relationship hidden, it was Elliott's mother, Dawn, who leaked the news to the media in 2018.
Dawn Elliott sent online congratulations to Woodard after she completed her nursing program. Some tabloids have speculated that Elliott and Woodard have had a rocky relationship because of his off-the-field issues. However, judging by their public appearances, they are getting along well, and their love is still strong.
Saquon Barkley, Anna Congdon, 6 Years Togetherness
Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants running back, and Anna Congdon, a model, are examples of couples who are head over heels in love with each other. But they're in no hurry to tie the knot: After a year of meeting at a collegiate fraternity formal, the lovebirds were already parents and lifelong partners with one other.
Congdon is a well-known Instagram model and influential social media user. She played basketball in high school before she met Barkley at Penn State University and gave birth to their daughter Jada in April 2018 when she was just 19. Saquon Jr., the couple's second child, was born in September 2022.
Alvin Kamara, Te’a Cooper, 2 Years Together
Alvin Kamara is a professional football player for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. The New Orleans football team selected the speedy rushing back in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In 2017, he won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and has since been selected to play in five Pro Bowls.
He's reportedly been seeing his girlfriend, Te'a Cooper, since 2021. Cooper is a well-known athlete who played for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association. She was formerly married to NBA star Dwight Howard, but In September 2021, she announced she was in a relationship with Kamara.
Dalvin Cook, Tokyo Jetz, 1 Year Together
Dalvin Cook, an NFL running back, is known for his speed and explosiveness. He was a five-star college prospect, and the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. His career appears to be taking off, and he can move only in the right direction with a girlfriend as encouraging as Tokyo Jetz.
His former relationship with Gracelyn Trimble was a public affair that unfortunately came with its fair share of scandal and publicity. He moved on with Jetz after it all ended. His new girlfriend, a hip-hop artist, announced their relationship to the world on Instagram.
Michael Thomas, Bailey Davis, Unknown
Many consider wide receiver Michael Thomas among the best in the NFL. The former Ohio State star was nominated to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year and the AP's NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the first time since Jerry Rice in 1993.
While everything about his work life is public knowledge, that is not true for his private life. Although we have seen him linked to multiple women over the years, he is notoriously tight-lipped about his romantic life. However, it seems that the former Saintsations cheerleader Bailey Davis is the most prominent of the women he's been associated with.
Chase Young, Sophie Piteo, Unknown
Chase Young has amassed a lot of acclaim as one of the most popular NFL players in the United States. He is a defensive end for the National Football League's Washington Commanders and played college football for the Big Ten champion Ohio State Buckeyes, where he was honored as the conference's male athlete of the year and a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Although Young has been under intense scrutiny for many years, beginning with his time at Ohio State and continuing through the months leading up to the draft, many aspects of his private life remain unknown. But multiple sources confirm he's dating his college sweetheart, Sophie Piteo.
Nick Bosa, Jenna Berman, Unknown
Nick Bosa is an incredible defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Though he only joined the Niners in 2019, he has already become a vital cog in the machine. In his first year as a professional athlete, he was named the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year and participated in the Super Bowl.
His father, former NFL player John Bosa, must be pretty proud of him. His dad was a Dolphins player back in the day. When Bosa's romance with model Jenna Berman ended in 2022, she reportedly broke the news to him via a TikTok post.
Myles Garrett, Serra Tumay, Unknown
Starting with the Cleveland Browns in 2017, defensive end Myles Garrett is a member of the NFL's elite. He was selected #1 overall in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him Texas A&M's all-time highest draft choice. Three times selected to the Pro Bowl and twice to the First Team All-Pro, no wonder Garrett's widely considered to be one of the league's top defensive ends.
Garrett and his girlfriend, Serra Tumay, are a perfect couple. While the specifics of when and how they first started dating remain unknown, it is apparent from their social media messages to followers that they are very much in love.
Baker Mayfield, Emily Wikinson, 4 Years Together
Baker Mayfield fell in love with Emily Wilkinson at first sight after being introduced to her by mutual friends. You'd think a quarterback for an NFL team would have an easier time with the women, but Wilkinson proves otherwise. For months, she completely ignored him until he eventually managed to talk her into having lunch with him. Sparks flew, and their wedding took place in July 2019.
Wilkinson is a notable figure in the Instagram community, with over 200K followers. She had several professions before she married Mayfield, including one in a cosmetic surgery clinic. In 2022, though, she reportedly worked for multiple regional television stations.
Matt Stafford, Kelly Stafford, 18 Years Together
Like many college-born lovers, Matthew and Kelly Stafford met each other while attending the University of Michigan. He dated Kelly, a cheerleader at the University of Georgia, where he was a football player. By 2005, the two had finally tied the knot; they now have four lovely girls and couldn't be happier.
For those that follow football, Matthew is best known as the quarterback for the Detroit Lions since 2009. Nevertheless, in 2021, he was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a trade. That decision paid off as the squad went on to win the Super Bowl. Naturally, Kelly felt overjoyed with the decisive victory.
Kyler Murray, Morgan LeMasters, Unknown
Since 2019, Kyler Murray has been playing quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. More impressively, he won the award for best rookie in offense in his first season. He is the epitome of a well-rounded individual, having maintained a satisfying personal relationship and a flourishing career.
Although Murray is relatively quiet about his personal life, it is common knowledge that he has been seeing Morgan LeMasters for quite some time. Intriguingly, they both went to Allen High School in Texas, though we have no idea whether or when they met. Who are we to protest if keeping their relationship private helps these two stay together?
Christian McCaffrey, Olivia Culpo, 4 Years Together
After a run of high-profile romances, Olivia Culpo, a former Miss Universe, vowed she would never again date an athlete. However, that changed when she met San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and they went on a date in June 2019.
Their love blossomed, and their relationship deepened as the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, and the football star spent more and more time together. She is a devoted fan who has attended all his NFL games and cheered his trade in October 2022. Often, the couple declares their eternal love for one another alongside cute images of themselves posted on Instagram.
Davante Adams, Devanne Villarreal, 6 Years Together
NFL wide receiver Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders has been happily married to his college girlfriend, Devanne Villarreal, since 2018. Adams and his future wife met while both were students at Fresno State in 2012, two years before the Green Bay Packers picked him.
Adams asked Villarreal to be his wife in 2017, and the two tied the knot the following year in California at the prestigious Pebble Beach. Nowadays, they are both quite involved in social media and regularly share photos of themselves on the platform to mark special occasions. They've also welcomed Daija Leigh and Dezi Lynn, two girls, into their family.
Allen Robinson II, Alyssa Sorto, Unknown
NFL superstar Allen Robinson is a wide receiver for the L.A. Rams. In 2014, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League, and he has since played for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. Even as a rookie, Robinson showed great potential after playing in 12 games and catching three catches for 29 yards.
According to sources, he's in a relationship with American fashion model Alyssa Sorto. Sorto gained fame for being in the modeling industry and also as the girlfriend of the famous football star. She has been on the cover of Mixed Magazine and has worked with a number of successful brands.
George Kittle, Claire Kittle, 4 Years Together
George Kittle, a tight end for the NFL, has become one of the league's most spectacular players in recent years with the support of his spouse, Claire. Like many of his teammates, George found his future wife in the school. Both were undergraduates at the University of Iowa when they first met and fell in love.
They were both freshmen at the time and played their favorite sports. Slowly but surely, they began dating, and their romance blossomed. The summer of 2019 saw the couple's blossoming romance culminate in a stunning wedding ceremony, and their union has remained strong to date.
Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek, 10 Years Together
When Rob Gronkowski was a tight end with the Patriots and Camille Kostek was a cheerleader for the team when fate brought them together. Although playing in the same stadium for Patriots games, the two didn't meet until a 2013 charity event.
They've been together for quite some time, but show no signs of wanting to take the next step and get engaged. Yet, they encourage and cheer each other on in their professional endeavors. In 2019, Gronkowski was happy to see Kostek on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Swimwear. She was also just as open in supporting his decision to leave football in 2022.
Mike Evans, Ashli Evans, 7 Years Together
Here's another NFL power couple: wide receiver Mike Evans and his wife, Ashli Evans. Mike played football all through high school, and his exceptional athletic skills were noticed by Texas A&M. Fortunately, relocating helped him advance in his career and led him to the woman he would eventually marry.
The duo tied the knot in Houston in 2016, starting their happily-ever-after. The Evans family now includes their three young kids. They often attend games with their parents. After all, we caught both of them at the 2020 Super Bowl, when Mike led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first NFL title.
Julio Jones, Jasmine Villegas, Unknown
Julio Jones is a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. The celebrated athlete is often regarded as the league's top performer and has a history of setting new standards of athletic achievement.
However, he's a quiet individual off the field who prefers to avoid the limelight. Because of his success in keeping his personal life under wraps, Jones' dating history is mostly a mystery. Yet reports have it that he's dating Filipino singer Jasmine Villegas. Still, these are mere speculations since the great athlete has not confirmed or denied the existence of any such connection.
Calvin Ridley, Dominique Fitchard, 4 Years Together
One of the more exciting young players in the NFL is Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley. He had a breakout year as a rookie for the Falcons and instantly became a fan favorite. In addition to his thriving professional career, he's also deeply in love with his girlfriend, Dominique Fitchard.
Ridley and Fitchard have been together since Ridley's collegiate football days at the University of Alabama. At the 2018 NFL draft, she and his other family members were there to witness his selection by the Atlanta Falcons. During Fitchard's 26th birthday celebration in 2019, Ridley popped the question, and their first child was born on June 27, 2020.
Matthew Judon, BreighAnn Judon, 5 Years Together
New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has since established himself as a star on and off the field.
While some celebrities' love lives blossomed after meeting in person, others do so through the magic of the internet. Mathew and his wife BreighAnn Judon, are a good example; they connected through a dating app. Before defying the odds and becoming a professional star, BreighAnn backed Matthew when he was a DII athlete and not among the top NFL prospects. They tied the knot in 2018 and are now a family of three.
Karl Malone, Kay Kinsey, 33 Years Together
Karl Malone, once an NBA giant, notched up 36,374 career points, sitting just behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He shattered records with 2,000+ points for twelve seasons and grabbed gold at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Remember the original Dream Team? Yep, he was on it. And in 2004? He took the court with the Lakers for an unforgettable Finals.
But off the court? His MVP is Kay Kinsey, Miss Idaho USA 1988, and the brains behind Ruston's Teriyaki Grill Restaurant. They've been rock solid since a chance meeting at a mall signing and have since married on December 24, 1990, and have four kids: Kadee, Karl Jr., Kylee, and Karlee.
Charles Barkley, Maureen Blumhardt, 35 Years Together
Remember Charles Barkley? The basketball powerhouse and one of NBA's 50 greatest players? Over 16 years, this dynamo clocked 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists. Off the court, he's been scoring big since the 1980s, having met his wife, Maureen Blumhardt, during his Philly 76er days.
Fast forward to 1989, the couple were tying the knot and welcoming their star player, Christiana Barkley. Charles may be a tough guy on TV as a sports personality/analyst, but he's a softie for his daughter. Need proof? Catch his "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" stint, gushing about their father-daughter dance ahead of Christiana's 2021 wedding. Adorable, right?
Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson, 33 Years Together
Magic Johnson is the name synonymous with NBA greatness. Over his remarkable 13-year career, all spent with the Lakers, he bagged it all. Five championships? Check. Three MVPs and Finals MVPs? Absolutely. But behind this basketball legend stands his rock, Cookie Johnson.
Their story began back at Michigan State in 1978. The couple danced around love for a decade before sealing the deal in 1991. Two kids later, their bond is stronger than ever. Here's the kicker: They came to this world in the same year, 1959. Cookie was born on January 20, while Magic was born on August 14. Indeed, a match made in heaven!
Bill Russell, Jeannine Russell, 6 Years Together
The basketball world mourned the loss of the legendary Bill Russell on July 31, 2022, at 88. He was an 11-time NBA champion, leading the Boston Celtics to a dominant era in the 1950s and 1960s. His official Twitter account confirmed his peaceful passing with his devoted wife, Jeannine Russell, by his side.
Jeannine became his fourth wife in 2018 when Bill was 84. A surprise love story, their meeting remains a mystery. But we do know that Jeannine, not just a basketball icon's spouse, was a former pro golfer, finishing strong in Canadian Women's Tour events and even bagging the "Player of the Year" title in 2010.
Michael Jordan, Yvette Prieto, 10 Years Together
Michael Jordan, the hoops maestro himself, etched his name in basketball's history books. But off the hardwood, he found a different kind of victory with Yvette Prieto. After parting ways with his first wife, Juanita Vanoy, in 2006, MJ's love journey took a turn at a Miami nightclub in 2008 when he met Yvette.
The couple's connection was like a slam dunk, and they moved in together a year later. By 2011, they were sporting engagement rings. Then came the big day on April 27, 2013, with a grand wedding witnessed by 500 guests. They're now proud parents of twin daughters, calling Jupiter, Florida, their home court.
Larry Bird, Dinah Mattingly, 35 Years Together
Larry Bird, the basketball legend known as "Larry Legend" and "the Hick from French Lick," isn't just an icon on the court; he's conquered the NBA from every angle. Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year—he's aced them all.
Off the hardwood, Dinah Mattingly stands tall as his wife. They've been going strong since 1989. But it's not just Larry; Dinah embraced the role of stepmom to Corrie Bird, born from Larry's first marriage to Janet Condra. And there's more to their family story. Dinah and Larry welcomed Mariah and Connor into their lives through adoption.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Dalia Asafi, 27 Years Together
The celebrated Hakeem Olajuwon racked up over 200 blocks and 200 steals in a single season—no one else comes close. For 18 seasons, he soared with the Rockets, snagging two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and a league MVP. Twelve All-Star nods? That's just a given.
In August 1996, Hakeem married Dalia Asafi, from a Muslim family. She was 18 when she entered an Islamic prearranged marriage with the NBA's ultimate shot-blocker and thief, sealing the deal in a traditional Islamic ceremony. Both of them hailed from Nigeria and shared more than just roots. For her education, Dalia moved to Houston.
LeBron James, Savannah James, 10 Years Together
The King of the NBA, LeBron James, found his queen early in the game. High school sweethearts from Akron, Ohio, LeBron and Savannah James, have been an unbreakable team since they said "I do" in 2013. Three little MVPs—LeBron Jr., Bryce Maximus, and Zhuri Nova—complete their All-Star family.
As LeBron's career soared to legendary heights, he's been vocal that he'd be "absolutely nothing" without Savannah. And in February 2023, they celebrated a historic moment together. LeBron became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, eclipsing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record. Savannah took over the Crypto.com Arena court in jubilation with friends and family for a sweet congratulatory video for her superstar hubby.
Ben Simmons, Eiza Gonzalez, Less Than A Year Together
Love was in the air in the Big Apple as actress Eiza González and NBA star Ben Simmons made waves as the hottest couple in town. News broke in February 2023 that they'd been dating for a few weeks. The pair was spotted leaving Bondst, a swanky sushi spot in Manhattan, where they shared a meal with some friends.
The chemistry between the point guard and the "Baby Driver" star was undeniable, making it clear they're more than just friends. We wish Ben, the Australian hoop sensation with the Brooklyn Nets, and Eiza, known for her killer roles in films like "Alita: Battle Angel," and "Hobbs & Shaw," happiness!
Travis Kelce, Kayla Nicole, 5 Years Together
Travis Kelce has been an asset to the Kansas City Chiefs offense since the team picked him in 2013. And he still has the record for most straight seasons with at least one thousand yards receiving. A new four-year deal that Kelce signed with the Chiefs in 2020 shows his dedication to the team.
Although we can't deny that he has undying loyalty to the squad, there is one person who once had a special place in his heart. His ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole is a model, journalist, and on-air reporter. They began dating in 2017, and their relationship lasted for five years until they split up in 2022.
Dennis Rodman, Yella Yella, 1 Year Together
Dennis Rodman, the NBA wild child, has found love in the music scene with Yella Yella, and they've been riding the love train since 2022. These two might be keeping a low profile, but the sparks flew when Yella Yella shared a video of them spinning discs at a music event.
The lovebirds have since shown up together on social media and launched a YouTube channel. Their love story got real in July 2023 when Rodman went all-in—he got a tattoo of Yella Yella's face inked on his right cheek! "The Worm" has a super realistic black-and-white portrait that's hard to ignore.