Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
D.J. Reader’s family has played an important role in shaping his personal life and professional football career. Born David Vernon Reader Jr. on July 1, 1994, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Reader is an American NFL defensive tackle who has played for the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and New York Giants.
Beyond his accomplishments on the football field, Reader is a devoted father whose experiences growing up have strongly influenced his approach to parenting and community service.
D.J. Reader’s parents are David Vernon Reader Sr. and Felicia Ford Reader. His father, a respected educator and coach, died in 2014 following complications associated with kidney disease. His mother is a former college softball player who has remained an important source of support throughout his life.
Reader is also the father of two sons, Rocky and Roman, whose names he confirmed in a September 2026 interview with the New York Post.
Here is everything publicly known about D.J. Reader’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and family background.
D.J. Reader’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, D.J. Reader has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend.
Although the NFL defensive tackle has spoken openly about his parents and children in interviews, he has generally kept details about his romantic relationships away from public attention.
His official NFL biography and major interviews do not identify a current girlfriend or romantic partner.
Reader has discussed the importance of fatherhood and his responsibilities to his sons, but those statements do not establish his current relationship status.
Consequently, there is no reliable basis for identifying a particular woman as his girlfriend without additional public confirmation.
Is D.J. Reader Married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that D.J. Reader is married or has a wife.
Despite being a father of two, Reader has not made a widely documented marriage announcement or publicly identified a spouse in the sources reviewed.
It is important to distinguish his confirmed status as a father from his relationship status, which remains private.
D.J. Reader’s Children: Meet His Two Sons, Rocky and Roman
D.J. Reader has two sons named Rocky and Roman. He confirmed their names and ages during an interview published by the New York Post on September 5, 2026.
During that interview, Reader explained that his two boys motivate him to work hard and set a positive example.
He revealed that Rocky was six years old and Roman was three months old at the time.
Fatherhood has become an important part of Reader’s identity, particularly because of the close relationship he shared with his own father before his death.
Rocky Reader: D.J. Reader’s First Son
Rocky is D.J. Reader’s eldest son, born in November 2019 while his father was playing for the Houston Texans.
Reader publicly discussed becoming a father during a December 2019 interview with SportsRadio 610 in Houston.
He explained that having a child gave him new responsibilities and a deeper understanding of the importance of making good decisions.
In February 2022, ahead of Super Bowl LVI, Reader spoke to Yahoo Sports about his dream of celebrating a championship with Rocky.
He explained that the arrival of his son had changed his priorities, increased his patience and encouraged him to become a better person.
At the time, Rocky was expected to attend the Super Bowl alongside his grandmother, Felicia Reader, to support his father and the Cincinnati Bengals.
In a January 2023 interview with Go Long, Reader discussed their close relationship, including how they communicated after games and shared an interest in cartoons and superheroes.
By September 2026, Rocky had begun playing football himself.
Reader told the New York Post that his six-year-old son was playing offensive guard and defensive tackle. He proudly described Rocky’s performances, including tackles, blocks and a fumble recovery.
These experiences have allowed Reader to share the same love of sports that connected him with his own father.
Roman Reader: D.J. Reader’s Youngest Son
Roman is D.J. Reader’s younger son. His existence was publicly confirmed during Reader’s September 2026 interview with the New York Post.
When asked about his children, Reader stated that Roman was three months old, placing his birth around June 2026.
Unlike his older brother Rocky, Roman has not been the subject of extensive public reporting.
Details about his exact birth date and other personal information have not been widely documented.
Nevertheless, Reader has emphasized that both sons inspire him to make responsible choices and demonstrate the values he learned from his parents.
D.J. Reader’s Parents: Meet David Reader Sr. and Felicia Ford Reader
D.J. Reader’s parents were David Vernon Reader Sr. and Felicia Ford Reader. Both had a significant influence on his development as an athlete and his commitment to education.
Reader grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, surrounded by family members who valued sports, academic success and community involvement.
His father worked as an educator and coach, while his mother had a successful athletic background in softball.
D.J. Reader’s Father: David Vernon Reader Sr.
David Vernon Reader Sr. was D.J. Reader’s father, mentor and childhood coach.
Originally from Hamlet, North Carolina, David moved to Greensboro to pursue his education at North Carolina A&T State University.
He later became a respected educator in Guilford County, helping students improve their academic performance and prepare for college.
David was particularly involved in his son’s education and athletic development.
When his health made it difficult for him to continue working in a traditional classroom, he homeschooled D.J. and helped guide his academic progress.
He also coached his son in basketball and football, teaching him discipline, perseverance and the importance of hard work.
According to a detailed 2016 ESPN report, David regularly assisted other young athletes, including students who needed help preparing for college entrance examinations.
His influence extended beyond his own family, making him a respected figure in the Greensboro community.
What Happened to D.J. Reader’s Father?
David Reader Sr. died on June 30, 2014, at the age of 51, following complications associated with kidney disease.
He had previously battled rheumatoid arthritis, which contributed to serious health problems.
As his condition worsened, David required treatment for kidney failure.
According to ESPN, D.J. was tested and found to be a potential kidney donor for his father.
However, David declined the possibility because he did not want to jeopardize his son’s future as a professional athlete.
He also declined his wife’s offer to donate a kidney, expressing concern for her well-being.
David died while D.J. was attending Clemson University.
The loss had a profound emotional impact on Reader, who later discussed his difficulties processing grief and how counseling helped him recover.
In a September 2026 interview with the New York Post, Reader again described his father as his hero and credited him with teaching him confidence and determination.
D.J. Reader’s Mother: Felicia Ford Reader
Felicia Ford Reader is D.J. Reader’s mother and a former college softball player at North Carolina A&T State University.
According to Clemson University and the New York Giants, Felicia played softball at North Carolina A&T from 1985 to 1988.
She attended Grimsley High School in Greensboro and came from a family with strong athletic traditions.
Her father, Ervin L. Ford, played baseball in the Negro Leagues, while her brother Glenn Ford played college football at the University of Tennessee.
Felicia helped support D.J.’s development in baseball and other sports while reinforcing the importance of education and discipline.
Following the death of her husband, she became an especially important source of emotional support for her son.
In his September 2026 interview, Reader described his mother as an exceptionally strong person and the matriarch of their family.
She has also remained closely involved in his charitable activities.
In August 2024, Sports Illustrated reported that Felicia attended an event organized through her son’s A Son Never Forgets Foundation.
She expressed pride in his commitment to helping young people and providing opportunities for underserved communities.
D.J. Reader’s Siblings: Does He Have a Brother or Sister?
D.J. Reader has publicly described himself as an only child.
During a 2016 interview with the Houston Chronicle, he explained that although he had no siblings growing up, the many young people welcomed into his family’s home made him feel as though he had several brothers.
His parents came from large extended families and regularly supported other children in their community.
However, another important figure in Reader’s life is Wesley Lewis, whom he has publicly referred to as his brother.
Who Is Wesley Lewis?
Wesley Lewis is a man D.J. Reader identified as his brother in a detailed 2016 report published by ESPN and ABC News.
According to the report, Wesley is approximately 11 years older than Reader and provided emotional support following David Reader Sr.’s death.
The two shared a close bond and obtained matching tattoos featuring the phrase “my brother’s keeper.”
Reader also watched the 2016 NFL Draft at Wesley’s house alongside other family members.
Although Wesley is described as his brother in that report, Reader has elsewhere identified himself as an only child.
The available reporting does not clearly establish their precise biological or legal relationship. Therefore, Wesley is best described as a brother figure rather than definitively identified as a biological sibling.
Does D.J. Reader Have a Sister?
There is no reliable public information confirming that D.J. Reader has a biological sister.
His statement that he grew up as an only child indicates that he did not have siblings in his immediate childhood household.
However, he has frequently described growing up surrounded by cousins, friends and extended family members who shared close relationships.
D.J. Reader’s Extended Family and Athletic Background
Although Reader grew up as an only child, he comes from a large extended family with a history of athletic achievement.
According to a January 2023 Go Long interview, his father was one of seven children, while his mother was the youngest of nine.
Reader grew up surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
D.J. Reader’s Grandfather: Ervin L. Ford
Ervin L. Ford was Reader’s maternal grandfather and a baseball player who competed in the Negro Leagues, including with the Indianapolis Clowns.
According to the A Son Never Forgets Foundation’s official team biography, Ervin Ford was an important part of the family’s athletic history.
Reader has continued to acknowledge his grandfather’s influence and legacy.
D.J. Reader’s Uncle: Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford is Reader’s maternal uncle and a former college football player.
According to the New York Giants’ official biography, Glenn played football at the University of Tennessee from 1978 to 1980.
His achievements contributed to the family’s strong sporting tradition.
How D.J. Reader Honors His Father’s Legacy
One of the most meaningful aspects of D.J. Reader’s family story is his commitment to honoring his late father through community service.
Reader established the A Son Never Forgets Foundation after entering the NFL in 2016.
The nonprofit organization reflects the close relationship he shared with David Reader Sr. and focuses on helping young people through education, health and community programs.
Its initiatives have included football camps, school supplies, resource rooms and scholarships.
Reader has also supported efforts to raise awareness about kidney disease, an issue that became personally important following his father’s death.
In recognition of his charitable work, Reader received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award in 2022.
He was also selected as the Detroit Lions’ nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Through these activities, Reader continues the tradition of service established by his parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About D.J. Reader’s Family
Who are D.J. Reader’s parents?
D.J. Reader’s parents are David Vernon Reader Sr. and Felicia Ford Reader. His father was an educator and coach, while his mother played college softball at North Carolina A&T.
Who is D.J. Reader’s girlfriend?
As of now, D.J. Reader has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is D.J. Reader married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that D.J. Reader is married or has a wife.
How many children does D.J. Reader have?
D.J. Reader has two sons, Rocky and Roman, as confirmed during a September 2026 interview with the New York Post.
Who are D.J. Reader’s sons?
His eldest son, Rocky, was born in November 2019. His younger son, Roman, was approximately three months old in September 2026.
Does D.J. Reader have siblings?
Reader has described himself as an only child. However, he has also referred to Wesley Lewis as his brother, although their precise family relationship has not been publicly established.
What happened to D.J. Reader’s father?
David Reader Sr. died on June 30, 2014, at age 51 following complications associated with kidney disease.
Where is D.J. Reader from?
D.J. Reader was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and attended Grimsley High School before playing college football at Clemson University.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
