Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
J. J. Jansen’s family has played an important role in his remarkable NFL career. The Carolina Panthers long snapper is married to his longtime partner, Laura Jansen, and the couple has four children: Luke, Sarah, Emily and Benjamin. His parents are Richard “Rick” Jansen and Carla Jansen, and he grew up as an only child.
Born on January 20, 1986, in Phoenix, Arizona, Jeffrey Richard Jansen developed a passion for sports at an early age. With encouragement from his parents, he eventually pursued football and became one of the longest-serving players in Carolina Panthers history.
His family has remained an important source of stability throughout his professional career, which began when he joined the NFL in 2008.
Here is everything publicly known about J. J. Jansen’s wife, girlfriend, children, parents, brothers and sisters.
Who Is J. J. Jansen’s Wife?
J. J. Jansen’s wife is Laura Jansen, his longtime romantic partner whom he met when they were both teenagers.
The couple has been together since before Jansen entered professional football, and Laura has supported him throughout his lengthy NFL career.
In an October 2026 interview published by the Carolina Panthers, Laura explained that she first met Jansen when they were both 17 years old.
At the time, Jansen was particularly interested in baseball, and Laura remembered being attracted to him while watching him play first base.
Their relationship continued after high school, even though they attended different colleges.
As they approached graduation, the couple began making plans for their professional careers and future together.
Neither expected Jansen to establish such a long career in professional football.
As of now, J. J. and Laura Jansen remain married and have built a family life in Charlotte, North Carolina.
How Did J. J. Jansen and Laura Meet?
J. J. Jansen and Laura met when they were 17 years old, during their teenage years in Arizona.
According to Laura, she originally knew Jansen as a baseball player rather than a future NFL athlete.
Jansen subsequently attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college football, while Laura pursued her own education.
Despite attending different universities, the couple maintained their relationship and eventually planned to begin their professional lives together.
Both had secured accounting jobs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and expected to settle there.
However, Jansen’s football career created an unexpected opportunity.
Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis encouraged him to pursue the NFL, changing the couple’s original plans.
Laura initially expected his NFL experience to be temporary, but Jansen eventually established himself as one of the league’s most durable specialists.
When Did J. J. Jansen Get Married?
J. J. Jansen and Laura have been married for many years, although their exact wedding date has not been reliably established in publicly available reporting.
The couple moved to Charlotte after Jansen joined the Carolina Panthers in 2009.
Over the years, they have developed strong connections with the community and raised their four children in the area.
Jansen has frequently credited Laura for her support during the challenges and uncertainty associated with professional football.
How Many Children Does J. J. Jansen Have?
J. J. Jansen has four children with his wife Laura: Luke, Sarah, Emily and Benjamin Jansen.
The children’s names are confirmed in the December 2023 obituary of Jansen’s father, Richard Edwin Jansen Jr.
The Carolina Panthers have also repeatedly documented Jansen’s role as a father of four.
His children include two sons and two daughters.
Luke Jansen – His Oldest Son
Luke Jansen is J. J. and Laura Jansen’s oldest son.
Luke has developed a strong interest in sports and enjoys attending sporting events with his father.
In June 2025, the Carolina Panthers published an article discussing Jansen’s involvement with the Charlotte Checkers hockey team.
During the interview, Jansen described Luke as particularly enthusiastic about sports.
He recalled taking his children to hockey games and asking Luke whether he remembered the results.
The experience helped Jansen appreciate that spending time together mattered more to his children than the final score.
Luke has also shown an interest in football, following the sporting traditions established by his father and grandfather.
Sarah Jansen – His Oldest Daughter
Sarah Jansen is J. J. Jansen’s oldest daughter.
Like her siblings, Sarah has grown up surrounded by professional football and the sporting culture of Charlotte.
However, Jansen has explained that Sarah does not share the same intense interest in sports as her older brother Luke.
In the Panthers’ June 2025 interview, he recalled asking Sarah whether she remembered the outcome of a Charlotte Checkers hockey game.
She did not remember the result, reinforcing his belief that children often value the overall experience of attending games with family more than winning or losing.
Emily Jansen – His Younger Daughter
Emily Jansen is another daughter of J. J. and Laura Jansen.
Her name is publicly documented in her grandfather Rick Jansen’s obituary, which identifies all four grandchildren.
Unlike Luke and Sarah, Emily has not been discussed extensively in official Panthers interviews.
Jansen and his wife generally maintain privacy regarding their children’s personal lives, including details about their education and individual activities.
Benjamin Jansen – His Youngest Son
Benjamin Jansen is the youngest son of J. J. and Laura Jansen.
His name is also confirmed in the family’s published obituary for Richard Jansen.
The Carolina Panthers have previously described the Jansen family as having two sons and two daughters.
Benjamin and his siblings have occasionally accompanied their father to Panthers-related events.
In February 2025, Laura and all four children joined Jansen when he signed another contract with Carolina.
The occasion reflected how closely his family has remained connected to his professional career.
Who Are J. J. Jansen’s Parents?
J. J. Jansen’s parents are Richard “Rick” Jansen and Carla Jansen.
Both played significant roles in his upbringing in Phoenix, Arizona, particularly during his development as a young athlete.
His father helped introduce him to long snapping, while his mother encouraged him to prioritize education and make thoughtful career decisions.
J. J. Jansen’s Father: Richard “Rick” Jansen
Richard Edwin Jansen Jr., commonly known as Rick Jansen, was J. J. Jansen’s father.
Rick was born in Vincennes, Indiana, and studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University, graduating in February 1970.
He subsequently moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked for Garrett AiResearch, a company that later became part of Honeywell.
Rick remained with the company throughout his professional career and retired in 2005.
Although he pursued engineering professionally, Rick also had a strong interest in sports.
He had played football in high school and possessed experience as a long snapper.
That background became particularly important when his son began exploring football.
In an October 2026 interview with the Carolina Panthers, Jansen recalled practicing long snapping with his father in their backyard.
The two spent countless hours working on technique and accuracy, with Rick standing approximately 15 yards away as Jansen repeatedly delivered snaps.
These training sessions became an essential part of Jansen’s football development.
Rick later followed his son’s college and professional career closely, regularly traveling to Notre Dame games.
After retirement, he and Carla eventually moved to Charlotte to spend more time with their son and grandchildren.
When Did J. J. Jansen’s Father Die?
Rick Jansen passed away on November 8, 2023, at the age of 76.
According to his obituary, he died after experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.
He was remembered as a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who prioritized family relationships.
Rick particularly enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren, attending their sporting events, babysitting and participating in everyday family activities.
His passing represented a significant personal loss for Jansen, whose football career had been deeply influenced by his father’s guidance.
J. J. Jansen’s Mother: Carla Jansen
Carla Jansen is J. J. Jansen’s mother and the widow of Richard “Rick” Jansen.
Carla met Rick while he was attending Purdue University. They married in September 1970 and welcomed their son Jeffrey in 1986.
She played an important role in shaping her son’s childhood and approach to sports.
Although Jansen enjoyed athletics, Carla initially hesitated to allow him to play organized football because of concerns about injuries and safety.
During his freshman year at Brophy College Preparatory, Jansen wanted to join the school football team because several of his baseball friends were participating.
However, his mother did not immediately approve.
Instead, Jansen became involved with the team by helping maintain statistics, combining his enthusiasm for sports with his academic interests.
When he was approximately 15 years old, Carla eventually allowed him to participate in football.
That decision helped him begin the journey that eventually led to Notre Dame and the NFL.
Carla also encouraged her son to complete his education and pursue a reliable professional career.
She initially expected him to use his accounting degree rather than establish a long-term career in professional football.
As his career developed, however, she became one of his most consistent supporters.
Does J. J. Jansen Have Brothers or Sisters?
No. J. J. Jansen is an only child and does not have any brothers or sisters.
This information was explicitly confirmed in an October 2026 feature published by the Carolina Panthers.
The article identified him as the only child of Rick and Carla Jansen.
His father’s obituary also identifies Jeffrey as the couple’s son without listing any additional children.
Therefore, unlike some professional athletes who grew up competing with siblings, Jansen developed his athletic interests with considerable attention and encouragement from his parents.
Although he has no siblings of his own, Jansen is now the father of four children.
J. J. Jansen’s Childhood and Family Background
J. J. Jansen was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, in a family that valued education, athletics and personal responsibility.
His father worked as an engineer, while his mother supported his academic and sporting interests.
Jansen attended Brophy College Preparatory, where he initially focused on baseball before developing his skills as a football long snapper.
With his father’s assistance, he improved his snapping technique and eventually attracted attention from college football programs.
He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played football and studied accounting.
After completing college, Jansen joined the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
He was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2009 and became a long-term fixture of their special teams unit.
In 2013, he earned a Pro Bowl selection.
By 2026, Jansen had become the Panthers’ all-time leader in games played and one of the longest-serving long snappers in NFL history.
Throughout his career, the support of his wife, children and parents remained an important part of his personal and professional journey.
J. J. Jansen’s Family Life in Charlotte
Jansen and his wife Laura have developed deep connections with Charlotte, North Carolina.
After arriving in the city in 2009, the couple built relationships with teammates, neighbors and local organizations.
Their four children have grown up in the area, making Charlotte an important part of the family’s identity.
In an October 2026 profile published by SouthPark Magazine, Jansen explained that he and Laura intended to remain in Charlotte even after his professional football career ended.
Jansen has also participated in local sports-related business activities.
In 2024, he became a minority investor in the Charlotte Checkers, a professional ice hockey team.
He has explained that the investment offers opportunities for his family to enjoy sporting events together while supporting the local community.
His involvement reflects the importance he places on building family memories and maintaining ties to Charlotte.
Frequently Asked Questions About J. J. Jansen’s Family
Who is J. J. Jansen’s wife?
J. J. Jansen’s wife is Laura Jansen. They met when they were approximately 17 years old and have been together since their teenage years.
Does J. J. Jansen have a girlfriend?
Jansen is married to his longtime partner Laura Jansen and is not publicly known to have a separate girlfriend.
How many children does J. J. Jansen have?
J. J. Jansen has four children with his wife Laura: Luke, Sarah, Emily and Benjamin Jansen.
Who is J. J. Jansen’s father?
His father was Richard “Rick” Edwin Jansen Jr., a mechanical engineer and former high school long snapper who helped teach his son football fundamentals. Rick died in November 2023.
Who is J. J. Jansen’s mother?
His mother is Carla Jansen, who raised him in Phoenix, Arizona, and supported his education and athletic development.
Does J. J. Jansen have siblings?
No. J. J. Jansen is the only child of Rick and Carla Jansen and has no brothers or sisters.
What are J. J. Jansen’s children’s names?
His four children are named Luke Jansen, Sarah Jansen, Emily Jansen and Benjamin Jansen.
How old is J. J. Jansen?
J. J. Jansen was born on January 20, 1986, making him 40 years old.
Where does J. J. Jansen live with his family?
Jansen lives with his wife and four children in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, where he has played for the Carolina Panthers since 2009.
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.
