Last Updated on October 15, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Ernest Jones IV is an American professional football linebacker who plays for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 22, 1999, Jones grew up in Waycross, Georgia, before becoming a standout college football player at the University of South Carolina. His journey to becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion has been shaped by the encouragement of his family, particularly his late father.
Beyond his success on the football field, fans want to learn about Ernest Jones IV’s family, including his wife, children, parents, and siblings. The Seahawks linebacker is married to his high school sweetheart, Tyra Jones, and they have a son named Ernest Jones V. His father, Ernest Jones Jr., died in July 2025, while family records identify four siblings. Here is everything publicly known about his marriage, fatherhood, parents, siblings, and personal life.
Ernest Jones IV’s Wife: Who Is Tyra Jones?
Ernest Jones IV’s wife is Tyra Jones, formerly Tyra Howard. The couple married on September 1, 2023, after dating for six years.
Tyra grew up in Waycross, Georgia, the same community where Ernest spent his childhood and attended high school.
The couple met as teenagers and maintained their relationship while pursuing education at different universities.
Ernest attended the University of South Carolina, where he played college football, while Tyra enrolled at Georgia Southern University.
Despite the distance between their schools, they continued supporting one another.
Tyra has remained an important part of Ernest’s personal life throughout his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.
In February 2026, People magazine published a detailed profile of their relationship, highlighting their journey from high school sweethearts to married parents.
How Did Ernest Jones IV Meet Tyra Howard?
Ernest Jones IV and Tyra Howard met while attending high school in Waycross, Georgia.
According to People magazine, Ernest was a senior and Tyra was a junior when a mutual friend introduced them.
The linebacker had noticed Tyra and expressed an interest in getting to know her.
Their mutual friend helped establish contact, and Ernest eventually reached out through text messages.
The two subsequently arranged their first date, which included dinner and watching a scary movie.
On September 1, 2017, Ernest officially asked Tyra to become his girlfriend.
That date later became particularly meaningful because they chose the same day for their wedding six years afterward.
How Tyra Jones Supported Ernest During College
Ernest and Tyra maintained their relationship after leaving high school.
While Ernest joined South Carolina’s football program, Tyra continued her studies at Georgia Southern University.
The couple had to balance academic responsibilities, athletic commitments, and a long-distance relationship.
During an October 2025 interview with The Athletic, Ernest discussed how Tyra encouraged him when he doubted his leadership abilities.
Her support helped him develop confidence as a college football player.
Tyra also achieved an important academic milestone when she graduated from Georgia Southern University in May 2022.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance.
In a social media announcement celebrating her graduation, she thanked her family, friends, and Ernest for supporting her education.
When Did Ernest Jones IV Get Engaged?
Ernest Jones IV proposed to Tyra Howard on June 6, 2023.
The proposal took place after nearly six years of dating.
Family members and friends were present to celebrate the occasion.
Tyra subsequently shared photographs of the engagement on Instagram, expressing excitement about their future together.
Ernest also celebrated the occasion publicly and thanked Tyra for remaining supportive throughout their relationship.
The couple began preparing for marriage while Ernest continued his professional football career with the Los Angeles Rams.
When Did Ernest Jones IV Get Married?
Ernest Jones IV and Tyra Howard married on September 1, 2023.
The wedding took place exactly six years after Ernest first asked Tyra to become his girlfriend.
Although the couple married in September, they waited until December 2023 to publicly share their wedding photographs.
Ernest celebrated the milestone with a social media message expressing his appreciation for his wife’s loyalty and encouragement.
The ceremony marked a new chapter in their relationship after years of supporting each other through college and professional football.
Ernest Jones IV’s Children: Meet His Son Ernest Jones V
Ernest Jones IV and his wife, Tyra, have one publicly confirmed child, a son named Ernest Jones V.
The couple welcomed their son on July 8, 2024.
His birth represented an important milestone during a period of significant professional change for the Seahawks linebacker.
Ernest Jones V – Ernest Jones IV’s Son
Ernest Jones V was born on July 8, 2024.
He is affectionately known by the nickname Quinton, according to reporting referenced by People magazine.
His name continues a longstanding naming tradition in the Jones family.
His father, Ernest Jones IV, shares his name with previous generations, including his late father, Ernest Jones Jr.
Ernest and Tyra announced their pregnancy in February 2024 through photographs shared on social media.
They subsequently celebrated learning that they were expecting a boy.
Following their son’s birth, both parents shared their excitement about beginning a new chapter as a family.
How Becoming a Father Changed Ernest Jones IV
Ernest Jones IV has publicly discussed how fatherhood transformed his priorities.
During a July 2024 interview with the Orange County Register, he explained that his wife and son had become his main sources of motivation.
Although family had always been important to him, becoming a father introduced an additional sense of responsibility.
He wanted to provide stability and security for his young family while continuing to perform at a high level in professional football.
His son’s birth was followed by several unexpected developments in his NFL career.
In August 2024, the Los Angeles Rams traded Jones to the Tennessee Titans.
Two months later, Tennessee traded him to the Seattle Seahawks.
Consequently, Ernest and Tyra had to relocate twice while caring for their newborn son.
In an October 2024 Seahawks interview, Jones explained that those challenges helped strengthen his marriage.
Ernest Jones IV’s Relationship With His Son
Ernest frequently celebrates the experience of being a father.
On his son’s first birthday in July 2025, he published a message reflecting on the joy of watching him grow.
Their relationship also became part of one of the most memorable moments of Seattle’s 2025 postseason.
After the Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026, Jones celebrated on the field with his son.
Videos of the celebration attracted attention from football fans.
The moment illustrated the importance of sharing major sporting achievements with his family.
Ernest Jones IV’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Ernest Jones IV grew up in Waycross, Georgia, where his family encouraged his interest in football.
His father was Ernest C. Jones Jr., who played an important role in shaping his values and competitive mentality.
His father’s obituary identifies Laurine Porter Jones as his wife and states that the couple raised five children.
However, available reporting does not conclusively establish whether Laurine is Ernest Jones IV’s biological mother.
Ernest Jones IV’s Father: Ernest C. Jones Jr.
Ernest C. Jones Jr. was the father of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
He was born on September 6, 1971, in Waycross, Georgia.
His parents were Ernest C. Jones Sr. and Sandra Wells Jones.
According to his obituary, Ernest Jr. was a talented football and basketball player during his years at Waycross High School.
He graduated in 1989 and subsequently attended Fort Valley State University.
He also served in the United States Navy.
After his military service, he completed training at Tulsa Welding School and developed skills in welding and pipefitting.
He worked as a welder and pipefitter while supporting his family.
His background in sports, military service, and skilled trades helped establish the values he passed on to his children.
How Ernest Jones Jr. Influenced His Son’s Football Career
Ernest Jones IV has frequently described his father as one of the most important influences on his life.
During a February 2026 interview with the Seattle Seahawks, he explained that his father taught him loyalty, responsibility, and the importance of becoming a dependable adult.
His father also enjoyed watching him play football and took pride in his professional achievements.
Those memories became particularly meaningful during the 2025 NFL season.
Jones continued using his father’s lessons to guide his decisions as a player, husband, and father.
When Did Ernest Jones IV’s Father Die?
Ernest C. Jones Jr. died on July 29, 2025, at the age of 53.
He had been battling Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
According to the Seattle Seahawks, Jones IV temporarily left training camp to spend time with his father during his final days.
The organization supported him as he returned home to be with his family.
Jones was present when his father died, an experience he later discussed emotionally ahead of Super Bowl LX.
After the loss, he continued honoring his father’s memory throughout the 2025 NFL season.
He regularly kept a green shirt featuring photographs of his father in his locker and occasionally wore a necklace containing pictures of him.
How Ernest Jones IV Honored His Father’s Memory
During the 2025 NFL season, Ernest Jones IV participated in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative to support cancer awareness.
He selected Wings for Ewing Sarcoma, an organization supporting research and awareness related to the disease that claimed his father’s life.
In November 2025, the Seattle Seahawks published a feature explaining why Jones chose the organization.
He said he wanted to help other families experiencing circumstances similar to his own.
His father’s memory also provided additional motivation during Seattle’s championship campaign.
Jones earned second-team All-Pro recognition and helped lead one of the NFL’s most effective defenses.
After Seattle reached Super Bowl LX, he explained that he wanted to continue honoring his father’s legacy through his performances.
Ernest Jones IV’s Mother: What Is Known About Her?
Ernest Jones IV has publicly expressed appreciation for his mother.
In March 2025, he attracted attention after surprising her with a new Mercedes-Benz following his contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.
The gift was documented through social media footage and reported by Sports Illustrated.
It demonstrated his desire to share the financial rewards of his professional career with his family.
His father’s obituary identifies Laurine Porter Jones as Ernest Jr.’s wife, while newspaper reporting describes the couple as having raised five children together.
However, those sources do not establish whether Laurine is the linebacker’s biological mother or another parental figure.
For that reason, her relationship to Ernest Jones IV should not be described more specifically without further verification.
Ernest Jones IV’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Ernest Jones IV has four siblings identified in his father’s July 2025 obituary.
The obituary, published by Harrington Family Funeral Services in Waycross, names five children of Ernest C. Jones Jr.
They are Aquasha C. Jones, Ernest C. Jones III, Ernest C. Jones IV, Kasai D. Jones, and Elan C. Jones.
Because Ernest IV is one of the five, the record identifies four siblings.
However, it does not specify whether all five share the same biological mother or provide their individual birth dates.
Ernest Jones III – Ernest Jones IV’s Brother
Ernest C. Jones III is one of Ernest Jones IV’s brothers.
His name appears in their father’s obituary alongside the NFL player’s name.
Both brothers share a family naming tradition that extends across generations.
Although Ernest III has been identified in public family records, reliable information about his career and personal life remains limited.
He should not be confused with his younger NFL-famous relative or their late father.
Aquasha Jones – Ernest Jones IV’s Sister
Aquasha C. Jones is another child of Ernest Jones Jr. and is identified in the family’s obituary.
She is among the publicly documented siblings of the Seahawks linebacker.
Unlike Ernest IV, whose football career has received national attention, Aquasha generally remains outside the public spotlight.
Details about her education, occupation, and private relationships have not been independently established through major reporting.
Kasai Jones and Elan Jones – Ernest Jones IV’s Other Siblings
Kasai D. Jones and Elan C. Jones are also named among the children of Ernest Jones Jr.
Their identities are documented through the funeral home’s published obituary.
However, little reliable information is available about their individual backgrounds.
The family record does not provide sufficient detail to establish their ages, occupations, or whether they participated in competitive athletics.
As a result, those details remain private.
Ernest Jones IV’s Childhood and Family Background
Ernest Jones IV was born on November 22, 1999, and grew up in Waycross, Georgia.
He attended Ware County High School, where he developed into an accomplished linebacker.
During his senior football season, he recorded 112 tackles, including 70 solo stops.
He also contributed two sacks and three forced fumbles.
His performances earned him first-team Georgia Class AAAAA All-State recognition.
He graduated from Ware County High School in December 2017 before joining the University of South Carolina.
His high school years were also important personally because he met Tyra Howard, who would later become his wife.
Ernest Jones IV’s College Football Career at South Carolina
Ernest Jones IV played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2018 to 2020.
He gradually developed into one of the team’s defensive leaders.
During his sophomore season in 2019, he led South Carolina with 97 tackles.
In 2020, he served as a team captain and recorded 86 tackles across nine games.
He was also recognized as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s top linebackers.
Across his college career, Jones recorded 199 tackles in 26 games.
After his junior season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ernest Jones IV’s NFL Career With the Rams, Titans and Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams selected Ernest Jones IV in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 103rd overall pick.
During his rookie season, he helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He subsequently became a regular starter and established himself as an effective defensive leader.
During the 2023 season, he recorded a franchise-record 145 tackles for the Rams.
In August 2024, Los Angeles traded him to the Tennessee Titans.
Less than two months later, Tennessee traded him to Seattle.
The frequent moves created difficulties for Jones and his wife, who were caring for their newborn son.
However, Jones quickly became an important member of Seattle’s defense.
In March 2025, the Seahawks signed him to a multiyear contract extension.
The agreement provided stability after a challenging period of professional and family transitions.
Ernest Jones IV’s Second Super Bowl Championship
On February 8, 2026, Ernest Jones IV won his second Super Bowl championship when the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX.
His achievement followed an emotionally difficult year in which his father had died.
During the 2025 regular season, Jones recorded 126 tackles and five interceptions, helping Seattle establish one of the NFL’s strongest defenses.
He earned second-team All-Pro honors for his performances.
Before the championship, Jones spoke about the importance of continuing his father’s legacy.
The victory also provided another opportunity to celebrate with his wife, Tyra, and their son.
Jones remained a central member of Seattle’s defense during the 2026 NFL season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ernest Jones IV’s Family
Who is Ernest Jones IV’s wife?
Ernest Jones IV’s wife is Tyra Jones, formerly Tyra Howard. They met in high school and married on September 1, 2023.
How did Ernest Jones IV meet his wife?
Ernest Jones IV met Tyra Howard through a mutual friend while they attended high school in Waycross, Georgia.
When did Ernest Jones IV get married?
Ernest Jones IV married Tyra Howard on September 1, 2023, exactly six years after they started dating.
Does Ernest Jones IV have children?
Yes. Ernest Jones IV has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Ernest Jones V.
When was Ernest Jones V born?
Ernest Jones V was born on July 8, 2024. His family also calls him Quinton.
Who are Ernest Jones IV’s parents?
His father was Ernest C. Jones Jr., who died in July 2025. His father’s wife was Laurine Porter Jones, although her exact biological relationship to the NFL player has not been independently established.
Who was Ernest Jones IV’s father?
His father was Ernest C. Jones Jr., a former high school athlete, Navy veteran, and skilled welder from Waycross, Georgia.
What happened to Ernest Jones IV’s father?
Ernest Jones Jr. died on July 29, 2025, at age 53 after battling Ewing sarcoma.
Who is Ernest Jones IV’s mother?
Ernest Jones IV has publicly celebrated his mother, including surprising her with a car in March 2025. Laurine Porter Jones is named as his father’s wife in an obituary, but her status as his biological mother has not been independently confirmed.
How many siblings does Ernest Jones IV have?
His father’s obituary identifies four siblings: Aquasha Jones, Ernest Jones III, Kasai Jones, and Elan Jones.
Who is Ernest Jones IV’s brother?
One of his brothers is Ernest C. Jones III, who is identified in their father’s obituary.
Does Ernest Jones IV have a sister?
Yes. Aquasha C. Jones is among the children identified in his father’s obituary.
Where was Ernest Jones IV born?
Ernest Jones IV was born on November 22, 1999, and grew up in Waycross, Georgia.
Where did Ernest Jones IV play college football?
He played college football at the University of South Carolina from 2018 to 2020.
How many Super Bowls has Ernest Jones IV won?
Ernest Jones IV has won two Super Bowls: Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks.
What NFL team does Ernest Jones IV play for?
Ernest Jones IV plays linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, whom he joined through a trade in October 2024.
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.
