Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Da’Ron Payne is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 27, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama, Payne became one of the country’s most highly regarded defensive prospects while attending Shades Valley High School. He later played college football at the University of Alabama before Washington selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Beyond his accomplishments on the football field, Da’Ron Payne has a family story shaped by parental support, perseverance and a close relationship with his loved ones. His parents are Ron Payne and Kemberly Smith, and he has a twin brother named Darren Payne. The defensive tackle is also a father, having publicly discussed the arrival of his daughter in 2024. Although some details about his personal life have become public, Payne continues to maintain privacy concerning his romantic relationships and his child.
Da’Ron Payne’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Da’Ron Payne has kept his romantic relationships relatively private throughout his professional football career. Although the Washington Commanders defensive tackle has occasionally been connected to women through entertainment reporting, he has not publicly established the identity of a current girlfriend.
One woman previously linked to Payne is Yaunna Taylor, a model, entrepreneur and social media personality. According to an article published by NFL Radar, Payne and Taylor appeared together at entertainment events in 2019, including the ESPY Awards and the Hollywood premiere of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
The publication described Taylor as a former girlfriend, although independent confirmation of their relationship history is limited. Their reported appearances together do not establish whether they subsequently dated, separated or maintained contact.
Some entertainment websites have also mentioned Nakoma Rutledge in connection with Payne’s past dating life. However, there is insufficient reliable reporting to establish the details or duration of that alleged relationship.
Unlike several other prominent NFL players, Payne does not regularly discuss romantic relationships in interviews. His public comments generally focus on football, his teammates, personal development and family responsibilities.
As of now, Da’Ron Payne’s current girlfriend has not been publicly confirmed. Reports about previous relationships should not be interpreted as evidence of his present relationship status.
Is Da’Ron Payne Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Da’Ron Payne is married or has a wife.
His official Washington Commanders player biography and established sports reporting do not identify a spouse or document a wedding announcement.
Although he is known to be a father, having a child does not establish that he is married or reveal the identity of his daughter’s mother.
As of now, Payne’s marital status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Da’Ron Payne’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
Yes. Da’Ron Payne has at least one publicly confirmed child, a daughter whom he welcomed in 2024.
His fatherhood became public during an interview with Washington, D.C., television station WUSA9 in July 2024. While discussing preparations for another NFL season, the defensive tackle also talked about adapting to life as a new father.
The report confirmed that Payne had welcomed a baby girl during the offseason. He expressed happiness about becoming a parent while acknowledging the responsibilities involved in raising a young child.
Da’Ron Payne’s Daughter
Da’Ron Payne’s daughter represents an important part of his life away from professional football.
According to WUSA9’s July 26, 2024, report, Payne appeared enthusiastic when discussing his newborn daughter. The Washington defensive tackle described fatherhood as a continuous responsibility, emphasizing the attention and commitment required to care for a baby.
Becoming a father introduced a different kind of responsibility for an athlete already accustomed to the demanding NFL schedule.
While Payne spends much of the football season attending practices, games and team meetings, his comments suggested that caring for his daughter had become another meaningful priority.
However, he has not widely publicized personal details about her upbringing. Her name and exact birth date have not been reliably established through the available reporting.
The identity of his daughter’s mother has also not been publicly confirmed through a reliable source.
As of now, Payne has one publicly confirmed daughter. There is insufficient verified information to establish whether he has welcomed any additional children.
Da’Ron Payne’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Da’Ron Payne’s parents are Ron Payne and Kemberly Smith. Their identities are documented in NFL media materials and sports reporting about Payne’s upbringing and college football career.
Both parents played important roles in his development, supporting his athletic ambitions from childhood through his emergence as one of Alabama’s leading defensive players.
Growing up in the Birmingham area, Payne showed considerable football potential at an early age. His family encouraged his interest in sports and supported the demanding training required to reach the highest levels of competition.
Ron Payne: Da’Ron Payne’s Father
Ron Payne is the father of Washington Commanders defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.
Ron has a background in American football, having played the sport while attending high school in Fairfield, Alabama. His own experience helped him understand the physical demands and discipline required to succeed as a player.
He reportedly became involved in coaching his son during youth sports, helping Da’Ron develop his fundamental athletic skills.
According to a November 2024 article published by EssentiallySports, Ron’s football background also influenced his son’s abilities on the field.
When Da’Ron demonstrated surprising receiving skills during Alabama’s College Football Playoff victory against Clemson, his mother credited some of that athletic ability to his father.
Although Ron Payne has maintained a relatively low public profile, his involvement in Da’Ron’s early sporting development contributed to the foundation of his football career.
Details about Ron’s occupation outside football and his broader personal background have not been extensively documented by established publications.
Kemberly Smith: Da’Ron Payne’s Mother
Kemberly Smith is Da’Ron Payne’s mother and one of the most influential figures in his life.
Her dedication to supporting her son became widely known during his college football career at the University of Alabama.
In January 2018, ESPN published an extensive feature examining Payne’s relationship with his mother and the considerable personal challenges she faced while supporting his football ambitions.
Kemberly had lived with lupus for years and experienced serious kidney complications that required ongoing dialysis treatment.
Despite her health difficulties, she remained committed to attending her son’s football games, frequently traveling to support him during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Her determination was particularly evident when she transported dialysis equipment while attending away games. ESPN reported that she missed very few of Payne’s games, even while dealing with significant medical challenges.
One of the family’s most emotional experiences occurred in January 2015, when Payne announced his commitment to Alabama during the Under Armour All-America Game.
On the same day, Kemberly learned that a potential donor kidney had become available. However, the anticipated transplant did not proceed because the kidney was ultimately not a suitable match.
She continued treatment and eventually underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2016.
Throughout this period, Payne remained deeply appreciative of his mother’s sacrifices and the encouragement she provided during his childhood.
Da’Ron Payne Bought His Mother a House
One of the most touching stories involving Da’Ron Payne’s family concerns his decision to purchase a house for his mother.
After establishing himself as an NFL star and signing a lucrative contract extension with Washington in 2023, Payne fulfilled a promise he had made to Kemberly.
According to EssentiallySports, he surprised his mother with her dream home and shared her emotional reaction on social media.
Payne explained that purchasing the house represented the fulfillment of a long-standing promise and reflected his gratitude for everything his family had done for him.
His gesture attracted attention from football fans, particularly those familiar with his mother’s medical struggles and unwavering support during his college years.
The story demonstrated the importance of family in Payne’s life and his desire to give back to the people who supported him before he became a professional athlete.
Da’Ron Payne’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Da’Ron Payne has a twin brother named Darren Payne.
His twin brother was mentioned in coverage of his high school and college football development, although Darren has generally maintained a considerably more private life than his NFL-playing sibling.
A March 2018 profile published by Birmingham television station WBRC described Da’Ron as a quiet and reserved young man while characterizing his twin brother as more outgoing.
This contrast in their personalities was particularly interesting because Da’Ron had already gained considerable attention as an elite defensive football prospect.
Darren Payne: Da’Ron Payne’s Twin Brother
Darren Payne is the twin brother of NFL defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.
The brothers grew up in Alabama, where Da’Ron developed his interest in football and eventually became one of the country’s leading high school defensive linemen.
Although Da’Ron gained national recognition through his college football performances, Darren has largely remained outside professional sports media coverage.
Available biographical reports identify Darren as his twin, while WBRC’s reporting independently confirms that Da’Ron has a twin brother.
Information about Darren’s educational background, occupation and personal relationships has not been extensively documented by reliable public sources.
There is also no established evidence that Darren pursued a professional football career.
As of now, Darren Payne is Da’Ron Payne’s publicly identified twin brother. No additional brothers or sisters have been conclusively established through reliable reporting.
Da’Ron Payne’s Family Background and Early Life
Da’Ron Payne was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended Shades Valley High School in Irondale.
His football abilities became apparent during his teenage years, when his unusual combination of strength, size and athleticism attracted attention from college recruiters.
He eventually developed into a five-star prospect and committed to the University of Alabama, where he played under head coach Nick Saban.
During his college career, Payne helped Alabama win national championships and developed into one of the program’s most respected defensive players.
His strong performances during the 2017 season, particularly in the College Football Playoff, further established his reputation before the 2018 NFL Draft.
Washington subsequently selected him in the first round, beginning a professional career that included a Pro Bowl selection following the 2022 season.
Throughout his journey from Alabama high school standout to NFL veteran, Payne has publicly demonstrated appreciation for his family, especially his mother, whose determination helped inspire him during his formative years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Da’Ron Payne’s Family
Who is Da’Ron Payne’s girlfriend?
Da’Ron Payne has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. He was previously linked to model and entrepreneur Yaunna Taylor in entertainment reporting, but his present relationship status remains undisclosed.
Is Da’Ron Payne married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Da’Ron Payne is married or has a wife.
Does Da’Ron Payne have children?
Yes. Da’Ron Payne has a daughter whose arrival became public in July 2024, when he discussed becoming a father during an interview with WUSA9.
How many children does Da’Ron Payne have?
Da’Ron Payne has one publicly confirmed daughter. Whether he has additional children has not been established through reliable public reporting.
Who is the mother of Da’Ron Payne’s daughter?
The identity of Da’Ron Payne’s daughter’s mother has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable source.
Who are Da’Ron Payne’s parents?
His parents are Ron Payne and Kemberly Smith. His father played high school football, while his mother became widely known for supporting his football career despite significant health challenges.
Who is Da’Ron Payne’s father?
Da’Ron Payne’s father is Ron Payne, a former high school football player who reportedly helped coach his son during his childhood.
Who is Da’Ron Payne’s mother?
Da’Ron Payne’s mother is Kemberly Smith. She supported his development at Alabama while managing serious kidney complications and later received a house from her son.
Does Da’Ron Payne have a twin brother?
Yes. Da’Ron Payne has a twin brother named Darren Payne, who maintains a comparatively private life outside NFL media coverage.
Where is Da’Ron Payne from?
Da’Ron Payne is from Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Shades Valley High School before joining the University of Alabama football program.
Which NFL team does Da’Ron Payne play for?
Da’Ron Payne plays defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders. The franchise selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
