Kyle Van Noy and Marissa Van Noy
NFL players live the dream of many men by playing football professionally. While they don’t always win on the field, these players win every day in their personal lives. And even though they are overshadowed by high-profile games from time to time, each of these players’ partners has achieved some measure of success in their own right.
From Gisele Bundchen to Kristin Cavallari, the wives of the world’s most talented football players stand out on their own, and command the spotlight just as much as their men do. Take a peek at these notable women that these NFL players come home to, and don’t kick yourself too much for not becoming a professional athlete…
Russell Wilson and Ciara
Kyle and Marissa Van Noy shared a common bond that naturally led to an amorous relationship; Kyle’s adoption struck a sympathetic chord with beauty queen Marissa, whose brother and father were also adopted.
Marissa scored a win as Miss Utah in 2013 which propelled her to the Miss USA pageant. Unfortunately, an ill-timed answer to a question cost her advancement, but she had so many other good things going with Kyle that they quickly moved on to dual projects and passions that include charity work.
Josh Allen and Brittany Williams
Russell Wilson’s Denver Broncos career doesn’t hold a candle to his power match with actress, singer, and dancer Ciara. The two met in early 2015 and got married just a short year later in a fairy tale ceremony at a castle in England.
Ciara Princess Wilson retains her own identity as an American singer, songwriter, and elite dancer. She has naturally evolved and taken on acting roles in television and film, and she is currently partnering with Revlon cosmetics as a brand ambassador.
George Kittle and Claire Kittle
Buffalo Bills great Josh Allen and gal pal Brittany Williams have known each other since they were kiddos, but they waited until 2017 to start a relationship in earnest. Recent reports indicate they’re still going strong, sharing their love for each other on social media.
While supporting Allen’s rise to the top of the NFL tackle pile, Williams is busy establishing herself as a fashion influencer and successful Pilates instructor. Regularly posting fitness content and workouts online, she hopes to inspire others to reach for their dreams as well.
Matthew Stafford and Kelly Stafford
George Kittle proposed to his wife Claire at a fake team photo shoot in August of 2018. The two met during their freshman year at the University of Iowa, managing to surprise and delight friends and family with a “secret” wedding in April 2019.
Being a fitness fiend, Claire was a formidable presence in the field of bodybuilding and fitness modeling, though she seems to have swapped out her weights for a camera and selfie stick. She inspires others to reach their fitness goals with a social media presence that shows she practices what she preaches.
Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and wife Kelly got their sensational start in college, and four kids later, they are still going strong. Matthew fell for his wife as they shared the field; he played football while she cheered him on from the sidelines.
Kelly not only juggles schedules for her growing family, she also works as a registered nurse and soccer coach for youth. Having recently struggled with a brain tumor diagnosis herself, she is now focused on family and regaining her health.
Ryan Tannehill and Lauren Tannehill
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and sweetheart Brittany Matthews have been together for decades. Meeting in high school, these two are tearing up both field and business as they blend family life and the recent arrival of a daughter.
Prior to their nuptials, Brittany was making a name for herself in the fitness industry. She jumped right off the college soccer field and into personal training, combining her love of physical fitness and business to run her own successful empire.
AJ McCarron and Katherine Webb
Despite meeting in spring break in Panama City in 2009, the Christian beliefs of Ryan and Lauren Tannehill kept them from taking things too quickly as they formed a powerful alliance that would guide them through many professional and personal successes.
Lauren’s modest personality no doubt adds to her charm as she develops a little empire of her own. She has enjoyed success as a model as well as a huge social media following where fans love to hear about the couple’s faith, dogs, and current events.
Derek Carr and Heather Carr
AJ McCarron and Katherine Webb have been together for a long time. The couple began dating while McCarron still played at the University of Alabama and she attended rival school Auburn. They overcame their differences and married in July of 2014, raising three children together.
Webb has a long, illustrious track record of pageant and modeling successes, including the title of Miss Alabama and a runner-up for Miss Georgia. A BCS National Championship Game appearance was her lucky break and entrance into the world of social media influencing, which she currently dominates.
Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek
Heather Neel married Las Angeles Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in June 2012 after a whirlwind courtship. Heather was a waitress at a restaurant that Derek used to frequent just to get her attention.
With nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, Heather shares snippets of family life on and off the field. With life as a hard-working waitress behind her, Heather pours herself into support of her husband and raising their four adorable children.
Tony Romo and Candace Crawford
Tampa Bay Buccaneer Rob Gronkowski struck gold when he got together with model Camille Kostek in 2015. The pair have been cutting it up across the globe when he’s not training with the team, enjoying travel, dancing, and working on social media platforms.
Camille enjoys success as a trained dancer and former Patriots cheerleader, which is where she met Gronkowski. She has also done successful modeling campaigns for everything from Reebok to Victoria’s Secret and L’Oreal.
Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari
Ex-NFL quarterback Tony Romo and Candace Crawford first met in 2009 after being introduced by mutual friends. They dated for two years before tying the knot in 2011. Roma now works as an announcer for CBS sports.
Crawford is no stranger to the spotlight herself. A former Miss Missouri, actress, and journalist, she and Tony met when she was covering a game for the Dallas Cowboys. The couple continues to follow their unique career pathways while raising three children.
Eric Decker and Jessie James
Chicago Bears football great Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari may no longer be together, but they had a great time during their brief marriage that resulted in three children. The two wed in 2013 and seemed blissful until April 2020, when Kristin cited “growing apart” as their reason for the split.
Cavallari has had a prosperous career as a reality television star and model. Her notable roles include Laguna Beach and The Hills, and she continues to dabble as an entrepreneur in the fields of fashion and jewelry design.
Mike Caussin and Jana Kramer
Wide receiver Eric Decker and country singer Jessie James tied the knot in June of 2013, setting out to raise a family almost immediately. Their young children make it necessary to keep a vigorous schedule with daughter Vivianne and sons Eric and Forrest.
Long before James met Decker, she was enjoying the limelight as a teen country hopeful turned superstar. Since their marriage, she has continued to spend quality time in the studio and onstage, committing to sharing her musical gifts with the world.
Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson
Tight end Mike Caussin and One Tree Hill star Jana Kramer were married in 2015 after a whirlwind courtship that only lasted a few months before Caussin proposed. What appeared to be a solid relationship shocked fans to the core when Kramer filed for divorce only six years later.
“I’ve given everything I have, and now I have nothing else to give. It’s time to heal.” Kramer wrote via an Instagram post in April 2021. Despite the hurts, the couple wishes each other well, and no doubt will find their personal and professional footing in time.
Reggie Bush and Lilit Avagyan
Hank Baskett enjoyed a long and prosperous career as a free agent playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles before his official retirement in 2011. He found professional success and true love for a time with former Playboy leading lady Kendra Wilkinson.
The two made an engaging pair on reality television with Kendra and The Girls Next Door, and it seemed that all the stars were aligned for their budding family. Sadly, Wilkinson filed for divorce in 2018 over continued struggles with Baskett’s sex addiction and cheating scandals.
Danny Amendola and Olivia Culpo
Reggie Bush has a penchant for falling for Armenian ladies, first demonstrated by ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian and now his Armenian-born wife Lilit Avagyan, whom he married in 2014. The couple seemed to be on the fast track to form a big family, as evidenced by the birth of three children in the last eight years.
While Lilit could easily pass for a Kardashian relative, her professional pursuits have led her down a much more quiet road. Life as a choreographer and dance teacher is as close as she wants to get to the limelight; the pair are officially retired and focused on family life as of 2020.
Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon
They may no longer be together, but Danny Amendola and Olivia Culpo were hot and cold, on and off from February 2016 to April 2019. Just a few short months after their split, Culpo moved on to another football player, Christian McCaffrey. The two are still together.
Culpo has the unique distinction of winning state, national, and international beauty titles. She holds the title of Miss Rhode Island, Miss USA, and Miss Universe as of 2012. These days, she enjoys success as an actress, fashion designer, and social media mogul.
Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles
Jason Sehorn’s football career may have been successful, but it’s too bad that he and Angie Harmon, his wife of nearly thirteen years, had to call it quits. According to sources close to the couple, the split was “amicable”.
Angie Harmon is now free to follow some of her individual passions and projects now, including acting, modeling, and hosting various television specials and shows. Her most recent romantic conquest includes an engagement to soap-opera actor Greg Vaughan.
Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley
Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles have more in common than just their love of competitive sports. They recently declared their intentions for all the world to see by flaunting a recent engagement on Instagram in February 2022.
Simone, a two-time Olympian, supports her boyfriend’s championship aspirations, but she has clear goals of her own. With seven Olympic medals under her belt, she shows no signs of slowing down on competitions and sharing her love of gymnastics.
Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole
After Aaron Rogers made a high-profile split from race car driver Danica Patrick, fans were wondering what went down, as the couple seemed to be nearing engagement. It wasn’t long after their split that rumors began to fly about a second engagement to Shailene Woodley.
Woodley is most famous for her role as Amy on The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, and she continues to take roles that stretch her interests and acting talents. The couple decided to part ways in February 2022.
Joe Burrow and Olivia Holzmacher
While we don’t have much information on the high-profile romance of Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole prior to 2017, we know that they were on-again, off-again until December 2020, when they reignited passion and purpose once more.
When she’s not cheering on her tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kayla is rapidly ascending in the sports modeling world while developing a self-esteem course on body positivity for young women. Her favorite motto? “Strong is sexy”.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen
In August 2017, Joe Burrow and Olivia Holzmacher began dating while still students at Ohio State University. Even after Joe transferred to Louisiana State University in 2019, their relationship continued to blossom and move toward marriage.
According to recent LinkedIn stats, Olivia retains her professional identity as a senior process specialist and analyst for Kroger. She builds impressive visuals and dashboards for the grocery giant’s pickup and product delivery services.
David Johnson and Meghan Johnson
This match made in heaven involves one of the best football players in the NFL and one of the world’s top Brazilian supermodels. After Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen met in 2006 thanks to a very successful blind date, they formed a powerful alliance and began raising a family. Since 2001, she has been named one of the highest-paid models in the world, making the list of Richest Women In Entertainment as of 2007.
In October 2022, it was revealed that sadly this power couple has decided to get divorced. However, the rumor mill kept churning, and another blonde celebrity has recently been linked to Brady. Brady has told one of his friends that he is dating a blonde who is more famous than him. The source made it clear that this woman is not Witherspoon, but did not reveal her identity.
Justin Tucker and Amanda Bass
Houston running back David Johnson met wife Meghan while they were both attending the University of Northern Iowa. The two took their time planning the perfect Arizona wedding in April 2016.
While wife Meghan is fully supportive of David’s NFL career, she has her own aspirations and dreams centered around a nursing career. This ambitious lady maintains her professional individuality while co-parenting their three adorable children.
Carson Wentz and Madison Oberg
Justin Tucker and Amanda Bass may have been college sweethearts, but they didn’t let the many distractions of college life keep them both from pursuing their dreams. After dating for nearly six years, the couple tied the knot in March of 2015.
Little is known about Amanda’s professional life other than a recreational Instagram following. She enjoys family life with Justin and their son Easton, and rumor has it that they plan to add to their brood soon.
Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab
Carson Wentz has enjoyed Superbowl success with the acquisition of a ring in 2018. He and girlfriend Madison Oberg announced their engagement very shortly after the pinnacle of his football career, and all signs pointed to lasting happiness.
As much as we’d like to see Madison dominating the spotlight herself, little is known about her professional pursuits. After obtaining a degree in elementary education, we are left guessing as to how she spends her time when not raising their daughter.
Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson
Nessa Diab and Colin Kaepernick managed to keep their relationship relatively low-key until February 2016. They had been dating for nearly a year when the ‘49ers quarterback and the former MTV television personality posed for public scrutiny.
Nessa enjoyed success as a radio and television host for various MTV and MTV2 shows. She currently hosts Nessa On Air, a hip-hop show on New York City’s Hot 97. She and Colin founded Know Your Rights Camp, a charitable organization supporting at-risk youth.
Nnamdi Asoumugha and Kerry Washington
Former football player Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson enjoyed a whirlwind romance that resulted in an engagement a mere seven months after meeting in May of 2010. They welcomed two of their children prior to tying the knot in 2014, and four became five with the birth of a daughter in 2019.
Long before Johnson was on the radar, Simpson was enjoying musical success and collaboration with first husband Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees fame. She has since earned over $1 billion in revenue due to combined efforts from album sales, fashion and makeup pursuits, and other business ventures that have yielded significant profits.
Kelvin Hayden and Taraj P. Henson
Nnamdi Asoumugha and Kerry Washington met on a fateful night on Broadway, where Washington was starring in a lead role in Race. According to friends, Nnamdi was instantly smitten and asked how the two could meet.
A successful marriage and two children later, Washington continues to act, produce, and direct on Broadway and beyond. The pair are active in philanthropic and political circles, and they are raising a daughter and son together.
Richard Sherman and Ashley Moss
While the romance of Kelvin Hayden and Taraj P. Henson was short-lived, the couple enjoyed nearly two years of entrepreneurial bliss before calling it quits in the fall of 2020. Fans were shocked and disappointed to hear that the pair had gone their separate ways.
Henson, through it all, has enjoyed a successful career in film and television, earning critical acclaim for her roles in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Hustle & Flow. She was recently named one of the “100 Most Influential People In The World”.
Antonio Gates and Sasha Gates
Richard Sherman of Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fame met and married Ashley Moss in 2018. Though a large age gap separates the two, they have gone on to create a beautiful family with the addition of their children, Rayden and Avery.
Moss is a beauty entrepreneur and boasts an impressive following on Instagram, sharing snippets of daily life and business to inspire others to reach for their dreams. She is also an executive director for the Blanket Coverage Foundation, a non-profit charity that supports families in need.
Aaron Ross and Sanya Richards-Ross
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and his wife Sasha have been going strong for over a decade, adding a daughter and a son to their blissful union shortly after getting married. Antonio’s recent retirement and Sasha’s professional pursuits weren’t the only significant changes as of late.
During their marriage, Sasha had a starring role in the reality show WAGS (Wives And Girlfriends Of Professional Athletes). Sadly, she filed for divorce from Antonio earlier this year, citing “irreconcilable differences” that caused the pair to grow apart.
Kroy Biermann and Kim Zolciak
Aaron and Sanya Ross met as freshmen at the University of Austin Texas in 2003, pacing their relationship to allow for each other’s individual growth and pursuit of their dreams. This smart pair is still going strong after several professional upsets and continued debate about raising a larger family.
Sanya achieved some pretty lofty professional goals herself both during and after college. This former Olympian has been decorated with several medals in track and field events, and through it all, Aaron commits to showing up and demonstrating his support of her professional aspirations.
Jerramy Stevens and Hope Solo
Linebacker Kroy Biermann and Bravo television personality Kim Zolciak were first introduced at a charity event called Dancing Stars Of Atlanta. While Zolciak only had eyes for the linebacker’s posterior, her forward disclosure sealed the couple’s fate as they moved into a relationship.
Soon after they began dating, the couple tied the knot mere months later. The couple entered reality television chaos with the show entitled Don’t Be Tardy, where family life and daily duties are documented in all their glory. Kim continues to act as a spokesperson for Bravo while taking a crack at the music industry.
Philip Wheeler and Ashley Nicole Roberts
Jerramy Stevens and Hope Solo first crossed pathways when they attended the University of Washington. Their mutual love of sports and solid friendship naturally led to a romantic experience that resulted in marriage in the fall of 2012.
Hope enjoyed a somewhat turbulent career in soccer; with multiple allegations of misconduct and substance abuse, she continued to rack up awards and accolades for her work on the field. Today her focus is on raising twins and getting family life in order.
Eli Manning and Abby McGrew
Philip Wheeler, famed linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, proposed to his girlfriend Ashley Nicole Roberts on WAGS Miami. Their wedding was a picture-perfect beach-glam wedding on the island of Curacao in the Caribbean.
Few people know that Ashely Nicole is a U.S. army captain and professional model. Her debut in WAGS Miami is secondary to some of her other accomplishments, though that is the role she is most known for. This multitasking wonder also has an impressive following on social media that will no doubt lead to other professional successes.
Roy Williams and Kelly Rowland
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning met designer Abby McGrew at the University of Mississippi, and sparks instantly flew. The two pursued separate career tracks while maintaining a solid relationship, finally tying the knot in 2008.
Though Abby obtained a degree in family and consumer sciences, her real passion lay in the fashion industry. Shortly after graduation, she landed a job as an account executive for New York designer Pamela Roland. These days, she and Eli are running charitable organizations and enjoying family life.
Roy Williams enjoyed success under the umbrellas of the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals franchises before meeting singer Kelly Rowland in 2004. After a whirlwind courtship, the two became engaged three months later, though the relationship fizzled as fast as it grew.
Rowland of Destiny’s Child fame has gone on to release a successful solo album and break through into acting with films such as Freddy Vs. Jason and Seat Filler. She has been named a contender in the “100 Most Award Winning Artists” released by Billboard.
Peyton Manning and Ashley Thompson
Retired quarterback Peyton Manning met wife Ashley Thompson the summer before Manning’s freshman year of college. A neighbor of Manning’s introduced the two, thinking they would be a good match. The rest is history.
Ashley does not rely on Peyton’s success to prove her own professional prowess. Her involvement in real estate development has earned her well over $1 million. She also dabbles in entrepreneurship; she owns a club called the Memphis Grizzlies in her hometown in Tennessee.