Last Updated on October 28, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Brenton Cox Jr. is an American professional football player who plays as an edge rusher for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 30, 2000, in Decatur, Georgia, Cox developed his football career at the University of Georgia and the University of Florida before joining the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Beyond his professional football career, fans are interested in Brenton Cox Jr.’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings. The NFL defensive player is engaged to Kaelyn Williams, whom he proposed to in July 2026. He also has two publicly identified older siblings: Shay Lewis, a former college basketball player, and Jamarcus Mingo, who played college football. Although Cox has occasionally discussed his parents, much of their personal information remains private.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Girlfriend and Fiancée: Meet Kaelyn Williams
Brenton Cox Jr.’s fiancée is Kaelyn Williams. The Green Bay Packers defensive end publicly announced their engagement on July 15, 2026, following a romantic proposal during a vacation in Sint Maarten, a Caribbean island.
The engagement attracted attention from NFL fans and sports media after the couple shared photographs of the occasion on Instagram.
According to a July 16, 2026, report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Cox proposed to Williams in an elaborate setting decorated with roses, a red carpet and a large heart-shaped display.
The celebration also featured a saxophone performance and fireworks, creating a memorable moment for the couple.
Following the proposal, Cox and Williams published a joint Instagram announcement expressing their excitement about their future together.
The Green Bay Packers’ official Instagram account congratulated the couple, while several teammates and members of the Packers community also celebrated the engagement.
Who Is Kaelyn Williams?
Kaelyn Williams is best known publicly as the fiancée of Green Bay Packers defensive player Brenton Cox Jr.
Unlike Cox, whose career is centered on professional football, Williams has pursued a career in dentistry.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Williams had recently earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree when the couple announced their engagement in July 2026.
Her academic achievement attracted positive attention alongside the engagement announcement, highlighting an important professional milestone in her own life.
Although her relationship with Cox has become public, Williams maintains a comparatively private personal profile. Details about her childhood, parents and siblings have not been extensively documented in reliable sports reporting.
How Did Brenton Cox Jr. Propose to Kaelyn Williams?
Brenton Cox Jr. proposed to Kaelyn Williams during a Caribbean vacation in Sint Maarten in July 2026.
The setting featured a red carpet surrounded by bouquets of roses and a large heart-shaped decoration.
Cox got down on one knee and presented Williams with an engagement ring as a saxophone player provided music.
Fireworks followed the proposal, and the couple later shared photographs of the celebration through a joint Instagram post on July 15.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Cox became one of several Packers players to announce an engagement during the 2026 offseason, alongside teammates including Jayden Reed and Evan Williams.
Is Brenton Cox Jr. Married?
As of now, Brenton Cox Jr. is publicly known to be engaged to Kaelyn Williams. Their engagement was confirmed in July 2026, but no subsequent wedding announcement has been reliably established.
Therefore, Williams should be described as his fiancée rather than his wife until a marriage is publicly confirmed.
Does Brenton Cox Jr. Have Children?
As of now, there is no publicly verified information confirming that Brenton Cox Jr. has children.
The Green Bay Packers edge rusher has not made a widely documented announcement identifying a son or daughter, and the reporting surrounding his engagement to Kaelyn Williams did not establish that the couple has children.
His official NFL biography primarily discusses his athletic background, college football achievements and community involvement.
Consequently, whether Cox is a father remains unconfirmed publicly. The absence of information should not be interpreted as definitive proof that he has no children.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Parents: His Father and Mother
Brenton Cox Jr. was born in Decatur, Georgia, and grew up in a family with strong connections to college football, particularly the University of Georgia.
Although his parents have not received the same media attention as their son, Cox has occasionally mentioned them while discussing his recruitment decisions and experiences at Georgia and Florida.
His father was a longtime Georgia football supporter, while his mother accompanied him on college recruiting visits.
These experiences demonstrate that his parents were involved in his football journey before he became a professional athlete.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Father
Brenton Cox Jr.’s father has been identified as Brenton Cox Sr. in some secondary football biographies. However, his full name has not been independently confirmed in the Green Bay Packers’ official player biography.
Cox has publicly discussed his father’s enthusiasm for college football, particularly his longstanding support for the Georgia Bulldogs.
During an interview published by Florida Athletics on October 28, 2022, Cox jokingly explained that his father had supported Georgia for approximately 18 years but claimed to have become a Florida fan after his son transferred to the Gators.
The situation created friendly disagreements within the family because many of Cox’s relatives remained loyal to Georgia.
His comments provided an insight into the household in which he grew up and the importance of college football rivalries to his family.
Before transferring to Florida, Cox had played for Georgia, making the annual rivalry between the Bulldogs and Gators particularly personal.
Although his father’s occupation, age and broader personal background have not been widely documented, his interest in football is established through Cox’s own public remarks.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Mother
Brenton Cox Jr.’s mother has also been involved in supporting his football ambitions, particularly during the college recruitment process.
In April 2017, DawgNation reported that Cox’s mother accompanied him on a recruiting visit to Ohio State University.
According to the report, she enjoyed the visit, which came as her son was deciding between major college football programs.
At the time, Cox was a highly regarded defensive prospect at Stockbridge High School in Georgia. His family had strong ties to the Georgia Bulldogs, but he was also considering opportunities outside his home state.
His mother’s participation in the Ohio State visit showed her involvement in evaluating potential opportunities for his education and athletic development.
Eventually, Cox chose Georgia, fulfilling an ambition he had developed while growing up in the state.
Although photographs and social media posts have occasionally shown Cox with his mother, her full name and professional background have not been reliably established in official football records.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Siblings: Meet Shay Lewis and Jamarcus Mingo
Brenton Cox Jr. has two publicly identified older siblings: his sister, Shay Lewis, and his brother, Jamarcus Mingo.
Both siblings have athletic backgrounds, and their achievements are documented in the Green Bay Packers’ official biography of Cox.
Shay played college basketball at Clark Atlanta University, while Jamarcus played college football at Livingstone College.
Their experiences show that competitive athletics have been part of the family’s history beyond Brenton’s professional football career.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Older Sister: Shay Lewis
Shay Lewis is Brenton Cox Jr.’s older sister and a former college basketball player.
According to the Green Bay Packers’ official player biography, Lewis played basketball at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her participation in college athletics demonstrates that Brenton was not the only member of his immediate family to develop an interest in competitive sports.
Playing basketball at the collegiate level requires a substantial commitment to training, teamwork and academic responsibilities.
However, reliable public information about Shay Lewis’s playing statistics, current occupation and personal relationships is limited.
Although she is publicly identified as Cox’s older sister, her exact date of birth has not been established in the sources reviewed.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Older Brother: Jamarcus Mingo
Jamarcus Mingo is Brenton Cox Jr.’s older brother and a former college football player.
The Green Bay Packers’ official biography confirms that Mingo played football at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Livingstone College competes in NCAA Division II athletics and has a football program known as the Blue Bears.
Mingo’s participation in college football adds another athletic connection to the Cox family.
Although both brothers pursued football, their individual careers developed at different levels of the sport.
Brenton eventually reached the NFL after playing at Georgia and Florida, while Mingo’s publicly documented football experience includes his time at Livingstone College.
Detailed information about Jamarcus Mingo’s current occupation, age and personal life is not widely available through reliable sources.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Early Life and Family Background
Brenton Alexander Cox Jr. was born on January 30, 2000, in Decatur, Georgia, United States. He grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area, where football played an important role in his athletic development.
He attended Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, Georgia, for his first two years before transferring to Stockbridge High School.
At Stockbridge, Cox developed into one of Georgia’s most highly rated high school defensive players.
During his junior season in 2016, he earned first-team all-state recognition and was named the Henry Herald Defensive Player of the Year for Henry County.
He continued improving during his senior season, recording 42 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
His performances helped Stockbridge achieve a 13-1 record and earned him an invitation to the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game.
Cox attracted interest from leading college football programs, including Georgia and Ohio State.
With strong family connections to the Bulldogs, he eventually committed to the University of Georgia and enrolled in January 2018.
How Brenton Cox Jr.’s Family Influenced His College Football Journey
Brenton Cox Jr.’s college football career took him through two of the Southeastern Conference’s most recognizable programs: Georgia and Florida.
His family had supported Georgia for many years, making his initial decision to join the Bulldogs particularly meaningful.
However, Cox transferred to Florida in 2019, creating an unusual situation when the Gators faced his former team.
In an October 2022 interview with Florida Athletics, Cox explained that the rivalry generated playful disagreements among his relatives.
Some family members remained loyal to Georgia, while others supported Florida because of his involvement with the Gators.
Rather than describing the situation as a serious family disagreement, Cox spoke about it with humor.
His comments suggested that football provided opportunities for friendly competition and conversation within his family.
Despite the differences in team loyalty, his parents and relatives had been part of his journey from high school recruitment to major college football.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s College Career and Journey to the NFL
Brenton Cox Jr. began his college football career at the University of Georgia in 2018, appearing in 13 games and recording 20 tackles.
He later transferred to the University of Florida, where he became an important member of the Gators’ defense.
In 2020, Cox earned second-team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press after recording 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
During the 2021 season, he recorded 41 tackles and 8.5 sacks, including a four-sack performance against Florida State.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in education sciences in the summer of 2022, adding an academic achievement to his athletic accomplishments.
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Cox signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023.
He made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints in September 2023.
His playing opportunities expanded during the 2024 season, when he recorded four sacks in seven games.
Although injuries affected his 2025 season, Cox remained part of the Packers’ defensive plans and returned for the 2026 campaign.
Brenton Cox Jr.’s Personal Life Beyond Football
Outside football, Brenton Cox Jr. has attracted attention through his relationship with Kaelyn Williams and his involvement in community initiatives.
The couple’s engagement in July 2026 represented an important milestone in his personal life.
Meanwhile, the Packers’ official biography identifies his participation in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, through which he supported the Boys & Girls Club.
The initiative allows NFL players to raise awareness for charitable organizations and social causes that are meaningful to them.
Although Cox shares selected personal milestones with the public, he has generally kept detailed information about his relatives and private family circumstances outside the media spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brenton Cox Jr.’s Family
Who is Brenton Cox Jr.’s girlfriend?
Brenton Cox Jr.’s longtime romantic partner is Kaelyn Williams. The couple announced their engagement on July 15, 2026, making Williams his fiancée.
Who is Brenton Cox Jr.’s fiancée?
His fiancée is Kaelyn Williams, who earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree before the couple announced their engagement in July 2026.
Is Brenton Cox Jr. married?
As of now, Brenton Cox Jr. is publicly confirmed to be engaged to Kaelyn Williams. No subsequent wedding announcement has been reliably established.
Does Brenton Cox Jr. have children?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Brenton Cox Jr. has children.
Who are Brenton Cox Jr.’s parents?
Brenton Cox Jr. has spoken publicly about his father and mother. His father has been identified as Brenton Cox Sr. in secondary biographies, but his parents’ full identities have not been independently confirmed through the official Packers biography.
Who is Brenton Cox Jr.’s sister?
Brenton Cox Jr.’s older sister is Shay Lewis, who played college basketball at Clark Atlanta University.
Who is Brenton Cox Jr.’s brother?
His older brother is Jamarcus Mingo, who played college football at Livingstone College in North Carolina.
How many siblings does Brenton Cox Jr. have?
Brenton Cox Jr. has two publicly identified older siblings: Shay Lewis and Jamarcus Mingo.
How old is Brenton Cox Jr.?
Brenton Cox Jr. was born on January 30, 2000, making him 26 years old in 2026.
Where is Brenton Cox Jr. from?
He was born in Decatur, Georgia, and grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He attended Miller Grove High School and Stockbridge High School before playing college football.
What NFL team does Brenton Cox Jr. play for?
Brenton Cox Jr. plays as an edge rusher for the Green Bay Packers, whom he joined as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
