Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Devin Bush Jr. is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 18, 1998, in Florida, Bush played college football at the University of Michigan before being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Beyond his successful football career, Devin Bush Jr.’s family has played a significant role in his personal development. His parents are former NFL safety Devin Bush Sr. and Kesha Bush, while his two older sisters are Jazmin and Deja Bush. His father won Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams, and his sister Deja won a national championship with Florida State’s softball team. Although Bush comes from an accomplished sporting family, he has kept many details about his romantic relationships and children private.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Girlfriend
Devin Bush Jr.’s girlfriend is named Shkurte Leka.
The couple has a child together and drew significant public attention in 2025 following a domestic incident in Pennsylvania, where an argument led to legal charges against the player. However, the case was resolved in court in December of that same year, with Devin Bush Jr. being cleared of all charges after the judge determined that no offense involving the infliction of harm had occurred. The couple currently maintains a more private personal life.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
Devin Bush Jr. has a daughter with his girlfriend, Shkurte Leka.
The girl was born around 2022, and her existence became public through court and press reports involving the couple. The player and his girlfriend choose to keep the child’s image and daily life well-protected and shielded from social media and the media spotlight surrounding the NFL.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Parents: Meet Devin Bush Sr. and Kesha Bush
Devin Bush Jr. was raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, by his parents, Devin Bush Sr. and Kesha Bush.
His father was an accomplished NFL safety who later became a football coach, while his mother played an important role in creating a supportive and disciplined family environment.
According to an extensive NFL.com feature published in April 2019, Bush grew up in a household where education, responsibility, determination and athletic achievement were strongly emphasized.
His parents wanted their children to develop independence and understand the importance of perseverance.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Father: Devin Bush Sr.
Devin Bush Sr. is the father of Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush Jr. He is a former professional football safety who played eight seasons in the NFL.
Born on July 3, 1973, Bush Sr. attended Florida State University, where he played college football under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden.
He helped the Seminoles win the 1993 national championship before entering the 1995 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons selected him in the first round with the 26th overall pick.
Bush Sr. subsequently played for the Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns between 1995 and 2002.
One of the defining achievements of his professional career occurred during the 1999 season, when the St. Louis Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans.
After retiring from professional football, Bush Sr. eventually became involved in coaching young athletes, including his own son.
How Devin Bush Sr. Trained His Son
Devin Bush Sr. became one of the most influential figures in his son’s football development.
According to NFL.com’s 2019 feature, Bush Jr. began playing organized football around six years old with the Pasadena Optimist Club Panthers in South Florida.
His father eventually joined the youth team’s coaching staff and introduced him to the discipline required to become a successful football player.
However, the relationship between father and son was not always easy.
Bush Sr. maintained extremely high expectations and frequently challenged his son during practices.
Even when Devin performed well, his father often focused on areas where he could improve.
At times, the young linebacker found his father’s coaching methods frustrating and questioned why he faced such demanding standards.
In his NFL interview, Bush Sr. explained that he wanted his son to develop independence, resilience and the ability to respond constructively to criticism.
His objective was to prepare Devin for challenges that extended beyond football.
The Father-Son Championship That Changed Everything
One of the most memorable moments in the Bush family’s history occurred on December 12, 2015.
At the time, Devin Bush Sr. was the head football coach at Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
His son was a standout linebacker on the team.
That season, Flanagan reached the Florida Class 8A state championship game against Osceola High School.
The Falcons won 26-7, securing the school’s first state football championship.
After the game, Devin Jr. embraced his father on the field and thanked him for the years of coaching and personal sacrifices.
Both became emotional as they celebrated an achievement they had pursued together for years.
The moment was especially meaningful because Devin was preparing to leave home and begin his college football career.
His mother, Kesha, later described the celebration as an unforgettable family experience.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Mother: Kesha Bush
Kesha Bush is Devin Bush Jr.’s mother and another important influence in his upbringing.
Her identity and relationship with the Chicago Bears linebacker were documented in an extensive NFL.com interview published before the 2019 NFL Draft.
Kesha and her husband raised three children in South Florida: their daughters Jazmin and Deja, and their youngest child, Devin Jr.
The couple emphasized personal responsibility, discipline and educational achievement.
According to NFL.com, they sometimes created challenging situations for their children to encourage independence and problem-solving.
Kesha also helped balance the demanding coaching relationship between her husband and their son.
She recognized that Devin occasionally struggled to understand why his father was especially critical of his performances.
During her NFL interview, Kesha explained that her husband wanted to prevent their son from becoming complacent or believing that success would come automatically because of the family’s NFL background.
Although the approach occasionally caused frustration, she understood that her husband hoped to prepare Devin for professional competition and adult responsibilities.
Kesha Bush’s Support During Devin’s Football Career
Kesha remained closely involved as her son progressed from youth football to college competition.
She attended his games, supported his educational development and celebrated his achievements alongside other family members.
One especially emotional experience occurred when Devin and his father won the Florida high school state championship in 2015.
In her interview with NFL.com, Kesha recalled repeatedly watching footage of their emotional embrace after the game.
She understood the significance of that moment because both had worked together for years to achieve the championship.
Kesha also followed Devin’s performances at the University of Michigan and his preparations for the NFL Draft.
During the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, she and her husband watched their son’s performances remotely while attending their daughter Deja’s softball game.
After an impressive combine performance, Devin contacted his parents to share his excitement and thank them for their support.
As of now, Kesha’s professional occupation and other private details have not been extensively documented in the reliable sources reviewed.
Devin Bush Jr.’s Siblings: Meet His Sisters Jazmin and Deja
Devin Bush Jr. has two older sisters named Jazmin Bush and Deja Bush.
Their identities are confirmed by NFL.com, which interviewed the Bush family in April 2019.
Devin is the youngest of the family’s three children.
His sister Deja followed the family’s athletic tradition by competing in collegiate softball and track and field at Florida State University.
Jazmin Bush: Devin Bush Jr.’s Older Sister
Jazmin Bush is one of Devin Bush Jr.’s two older sisters.
She grew up with Devin and Deja in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where their parents encouraged all three children to become independent and responsible.
According to NFL.com’s feature, the Bush children experienced a structured upbringing that emphasized the importance of education, personal discipline and perseverance.
These values were intended to help them prepare for the demands of adulthood.
Although Jazmin is publicly identified as Devin’s sister, relatively little information about her education, career or personal relationships has been documented in reliable sources.
Unlike Devin and Deja, whose athletic achievements attracted significant public attention, Jazmin has maintained a comparatively private profile.
Deja Bush: Devin Bush Jr.’s Softball-Playing Sister
Deja Bush is Devin Bush Jr.’s older sister and a former college softball and track and field athlete at Florida State University.
Born on July 11, 1997, Deja attended Charles W. Flanagan High School in Florida, where she developed into an accomplished softball player and sprinter.
According to Florida State Athletics, she received multiple individual honors during her high school career, including team MVP awards and recognition for her academic achievements.
She later joined Florida State’s softball program, continuing the family’s connection to the university where her father had played football.
Deja became an important member of the Seminoles’ softball roster, primarily contributing as an outfielder and pinch runner.
During the 2018 season, she appeared in 48 games, scored 22 runs and recorded 16 stolen bases.
She helped Florida State win its first NCAA Division I softball national championship that year.
The achievement gave the Bush family another national title, following their father’s championship with Florida State football in 1993.
Deja Bush’s Track and Field Career
After her softball career, Deja continued competing in athletics through Florida State’s women’s track and field program.
According to her official university biography, she joined the program as a graduate student in sport management during the 2019-20 academic year.
She competed in sprint events, including the indoor 60 meters.
Her athletic versatility reflected the sporting abilities shared by several members of the Bush family.
Deja’s success also attracted praise from Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, who acknowledged her achievements while discussing the athletic background of her younger brother.
How Devin Bush Jr.’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Devin Bush Jr.’s journey to the NFL began in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he developed an interest in football during childhood.
Growing up with a father who had played in the NFL gave him access to professional knowledge about the sport.
However, Bush has explained that his father’s reputation also created considerable pressure.
He wanted to be recognized for his own achievements rather than simply being known as the son of a former NFL player.
During high school, he developed into one of Florida’s leading linebacker prospects and helped Charles W. Flanagan High School win the 2015 Class 8A state championship.
Why Devin Bush Jr. Chose Michigan Instead of Florida State
Devin Bush Jr. faced an important decision when choosing where to play college football.
His father had starred at Florida State University, while his older sister Deja was also attending the school as a softball player.
Following that family tradition would have been a natural option.
However, Bush wanted to establish his own identity and pursue a different football experience.
After visiting the University of Michigan, he decided to join the Wolverines.
In an interview with NFL.com, Bush explained that he appreciated the opportunity to create an independent legacy rather than constantly being compared with his father’s achievements at Florida State.
His father respected the decision and later joined Michigan’s football staff as a defensive analyst.
Devin Bush Jr.’s College Football Success
Devin Bush Jr. joined the University of Michigan in 2016 and gradually became one of the team’s most important defensive players.
During the 2017 season, he recorded 102 tackles and earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition.
His performances improved further in 2018, when he became one of the nation’s leading linebackers.
That season, Bush earned consensus All-American honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.
His success made him one of the leading defensive prospects entering the 2019 NFL Draft.
On April 25, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 10th overall pick in the first round.
The selection continued the family’s NFL legacy, making Devin Jr. a first-round draft pick like his father.
Devin Bush Jr.’s NFL Journey to the Chicago Bears
Bush began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and made an immediate impact as a rookie linebacker.
During his first season, he appeared in all 16 games and earned a reputation for his athleticism, tackling ability and defensive versatility.
However, a serious knee injury during the 2020 season interrupted his progress and forced him to undergo rehabilitation.
After completing four seasons with Pittsburgh, Bush joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.
He subsequently signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, where he continued rebuilding his career.
During the 2025 season, he started all 17 games for Cleveland and recorded a career-high 124 tackles, according to the Chicago Bears’ official player biography.
He also intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns.
His performances helped establish him as an attractive free agent ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
On March 12, 2026, the Chicago Bears officially announced that they had signed Bush to a three-year contract.
The move marked another important chapter in a professional football journey that began under the guidance of his father and with the support of his mother and sisters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Devin Bush Jr.’s Family
Who is Devin Bush Jr.’s girlfriend?
Devin Bush Jr.’s girlfriend is named Shkurte Leka.
Does Devin Bush Jr. have children?
Devin Bush Jr. has a daughter with his girlfriend, Shkurte Leka.
Who is Devin Bush Jr.’s father?
His father is Devin Bush Sr., a former NFL safety who played for the Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns. He won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams.
Who is Devin Bush Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Kesha Bush, who raised Devin and his two older sisters in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Does Devin Bush Jr. have siblings?
Yes. Devin Bush Jr. has two older sisters named Jazmin Bush and Deja Bush.
Who is Devin Bush Jr.’s sister Deja?
Deja Bush is a former Florida State University softball and track and field athlete who helped the Seminoles win the 2018 NCAA Division I softball national championship.
Did Devin Bush Jr.’s father play in the NFL?
Yes. Devin Bush Sr. played eight seasons in the NFL and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft.
Where is Devin Bush Jr. from?
Devin Bush Jr. grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he attended Charles W. Flanagan High School.
Which NFL team does Devin Bush Jr. play for?
As of now, Devin Bush Jr. plays linebacker for the Chicago Bears, who signed him to a three-year contract in March 2026.
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.
