Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Jonathan Bullard is an American football defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 22, 1993, in Shelby, North Carolina, Bullard has established a lengthy professional football career after playing college football at the University of Florida. Away from the field, his family background is marked by strong relationships, personal sacrifice and the lasting influence of his grandmother.
Jonathan Bullard’s family includes his father, Leonard Bullard, his mother, Monica Bullard, and his two brothers, Nelson and Wesley Bullard. His maternal grandparents, James and Joyce Robbs, were also important figures in his upbringing.
Bullard has frequently acknowledged the sacrifices his mother and grandparents made to help him pursue his football ambitions. His grandmother, in particular, helped inspire his decision to attend Florida and remains an important part of his personal story.
Here is everything publicly known about Jonathan Bullard’s wife or girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Jonathan Bullard’s Wife or Girlfriend: Is He Married?
Jonathan Bullard has not publicly confirmed a wife or romantic partner in the reliable sources reviewed.
Although the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle has spent more than a decade in the NFL, he has generally maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships.
His official player biographies and interviews with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys primarily discuss his professional career, parents, brothers and late grandmother.
These sources do not identify a wife or provide verified details about a marriage.
Does Jonathan Bullard Have a Girlfriend?
As of now, there is no reliably verified public information identifying Jonathan Bullard’s current girlfriend.
Some online biographies have speculated about his relationship status, but these reports do not provide sufficient evidence to establish whether he is dating someone.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to describe him as definitively single based solely on the absence of public information.
Bullard has spoken openly about his childhood and the influence of his relatives, but he has not provided comparable public details about his romantic life.
Has Jonathan Bullard Ever Been Married?
No reliable marriage announcement or wedding coverage was identified in the established sources reviewed for this article.
His marital status consequently remains publicly unconfirmed.
Jonathan Bullard’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jonathan Bullard has children.
His official NFL biographies and major interviews do not identify any sons or daughters.
Much of the public information about Bullard’s personal life concerns his parents, brothers and maternal grandparents.
As of now, no verified public announcement reviewed for this profile establishes that he has become a father.
However, the lack of publicly available information should not be interpreted as definitive proof that he does not have children.
Jonathan Bullard’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Jonathan Bullard’s parents are Leonard Bullard and Monica Bullard. Their names were confirmed in an extensive University of Florida Athletics feature published in September 2014.
Jonathan grew up in Shelby, North Carolina, alongside his older brother Nelson and younger brother Wesley.
His parents separated when he was approximately eight years old, creating challenges for the family.
Following their separation, Monica worked long hours to support her children, while her parents helped provide additional care.
Jonathan Bullard’s Father: Leonard Bullard
Leonard Bullard is Jonathan Bullard’s father.
He was part of Jonathan’s early childhood in Shelby, North Carolina, before separating from Monica Bullard.
According to the University of Florida’s official feature about Jonathan’s family, his parents separated when Nelson was approximately 12, Jonathan was eight and Wesley was four.
Following the separation, Jonathan and his brothers spent considerable time with their maternal grandparents.
These arrangements allowed their mother to continue working while ensuring that the children received support with everyday activities.
Although Leonard is identified by name in official university reporting, reliable public sources provide limited information about his occupation, subsequent personal life or current activities.
Jonathan Bullard’s Mother: Monica Bullard
Monica Bullard is Jonathan Bullard’s mother and one of the most influential people in his upbringing.
After separating from Leonard, Monica took on significant responsibility for raising their three sons.
She worked night shifts at a BMW manufacturing facility across the state line in South Carolina.
According to a September 2014 report by Florida Gators writer Scott Carter, Monica typically left home in the early evening to begin working at 8 p.m. and finished at approximately 6 a.m.
Her demanding schedule made it difficult to attend every sporting activity involving her children.
However, she arranged her work commitments to attend as many weekend games as possible.
During the week, her mother Joyce Robbs frequently helped transport Jonathan and his brothers to practices and other activities.
Monica has spoken publicly about the importance of her mother’s support during those years.
She credited Joyce with helping maintain stability within the household and providing guidance when work responsibilities prevented Monica from being present.
Despite the challenges of raising three boys while working overnight, Monica remained supportive of their sporting ambitions.
Her encouragement helped Jonathan continue developing his football skills at Crest Senior High School and eventually earn an opportunity to play for the Florida Gators.
Jonathan Bullard’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Jonathan Bullard has two brothers: Nelson Bullard and Wesley Bullard. He is the middle child of Monica Bullard’s three sons.
Their names and family relationships are confirmed by the University of Florida’s official athletic reporting.
All three brothers participated in sports while growing up in Shelby, North Carolina.
Nelson Bullard – Jonathan Bullard’s Older Brother
Nelson Bullard is Jonathan Bullard’s older brother and a former college football player.
Like Jonathan, Nelson developed an interest in football during childhood.
He attended Crest Senior High School in North Carolina before continuing his athletic career at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
At Lenoir-Rhyne, Nelson played defensive line and earned all-conference recognition.
His involvement in competitive football influenced Jonathan, who grew up watching his older brother play.
In an October 2022 interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Jonathan explained that he admired his older brother’s passion for football and considered him an important role model.
Nelson’s experiences provided an early example of the commitment necessary to succeed in competitive athletics.
Although he did not follow Jonathan into a widely documented NFL career, Nelson’s football background remains an important part of the family’s sporting history.
Public information about his current occupation and personal relationships is limited.
Wesley Bullard – Jonathan Bullard’s Younger Brother
Wesley Bullard is Jonathan Bullard’s younger brother.
He grew up in Shelby, North Carolina, alongside Jonathan and Nelson.
Like his older brothers, Wesley participated in athletics during his childhood and teenage years.
According to the University of Florida’s September 2014 family feature, Wesley was attending high school at the time.
The three brothers shared a childhood involving football, basketball and baseball.
In his 2022 interview with the Minnesota Vikings, Jonathan emphasized that both of his brothers had contributed to his personal development.
He credited their relationships with helping him become the person and football player he is today.
Wesley has maintained a comparatively private life, and reliable information about his current professional activities is limited.
Does Jonathan Bullard Have a Sister?
No sisters have been identified in the reliable family biographies reviewed.
The University of Florida describes Jonathan as the middle of three sons, identifying Nelson as his older brother and Wesley as his younger brother.
Therefore, Nelson and Wesley are his two publicly confirmed siblings.
Jonathan Bullard’s Grandparents: Who Were James and Joyce Robbs?
Jonathan Bullard’s maternal grandparents are James Robbs and the late Joyce Ann Degree Robbs.
Both played significant roles in helping raise Jonathan and his brothers after their parents separated.
The family lived in Shelby, North Carolina, where James and Joyce operated a business and regularly attended their grandsons’ sporting events.
Joyce Robbs – Jonathan Bullard’s Grandmother
Joyce Ann Degree Robbs was Jonathan Bullard’s maternal grandmother and one of his greatest supporters.
She helped care for Jonathan and his brothers while Monica worked overnight shifts.
Joyce frequently transported the boys to football practices, helped them with homework and attended their games.
She was also a passionate sports fan who supported the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers.
During Jonathan’s high school football career, Joyce regularly watched games from a favorite spot overlooking the field.
Jonathan developed a particularly close relationship with his grandmother and often referred to her affectionately as “Mawmaw.”
When he began receiving scholarship offers from major universities, her health became an important factor in his decision.
Joyce had experienced multiple battles with cancer, and Jonathan initially considered attending Clemson University because it was closer to home.
However, she encouraged him to choose the university that offered the best opportunity for his future.
After receiving her support, Jonathan decided to attend the University of Florida.
What Happened to Jonathan Bullard’s Grandmother?
Joyce Robbs died on November 10, 2012, at the age of 65, following a battle with cancer.
Her death occurred during Jonathan’s freshman football season at Florida.
The loss was particularly difficult because she had been one of his strongest supporters throughout childhood.
Jonathan subsequently honored his grandmother by getting a tattoo of her image on his chest.
He has spoken about how remembering her sacrifices motivates him to make responsible decisions and continue pursuing his goals.
In December 2023, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Bullard participated in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.
He wore specially designed cleats honoring Joyce and raising awareness for the American Cancer Society.
The gesture allowed him to publicly recognize her influence more than a decade after her death.
James Robbs – Jonathan Bullard’s Grandfather
James Robbs is Jonathan Bullard’s maternal grandfather.
James and Joyce lived in Shelby, North Carolina, where they established a family business.
According to the University of Florida’s 2014 feature, the couple founded Robbs & Sons Detail Shop, a car-washing and detailing business.
James helped Joyce care for their grandsons and supported their involvement in youth sports.
He also accompanied Joyce to football games and practices.
During Jonathan’s freshman year at Florida, James provided emotional support as the family dealt with Joyce’s declining health.
Like Joyce, he encouraged Jonathan to continue playing football and pursuing his college ambitions.
Reliable sources provide limited recent information about James’s current circumstances.
How Jonathan Bullard’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Jonathan Bullard’s football journey began in Shelby, North Carolina, where he attended Crest Senior High School.
Growing up, he was surrounded by family members who encouraged athletic participation.
His older brother Nelson played football, while his mother and grandparents supported all three boys through school and sporting activities.
At Crest Senior High School, Jonathan developed into a highly recruited defensive lineman.
He received scholarship opportunities from several major college football programs, including Florida and Clemson.
Although Jonathan initially considered remaining close to home because of his grandmother’s health, Joyce encouraged him to pursue the opportunity he preferred.
He eventually committed to Florida and began his college football career in 2012.
During his four seasons with the Gators, Bullard developed into one of the Southeastern Conference’s leading defensive linemen.
He earned first-team All-SEC recognition in 2015 and was regarded as one of the strongest defensive prospects entering the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears selected Bullard in the third round with the 72nd overall pick.
He subsequently played for the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
In March 2026, Bullard signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, becoming a member of the seventh NFL franchise of his career.
His arrival in Dallas was particularly meaningful because his grandmother had been a lifelong Cowboys fan.
Why Joining the Dallas Cowboys Was Special for Jonathan Bullard
Jonathan Bullard’s move to Dallas in 2026 carried emotional significance beyond professional football.
His grandmother Joyce had been a devoted Cowboys supporter, and watching the team was a family tradition during his childhood.
In an interview published by the Dallas Cowboys on April 1, 2026, Bullard explained that he grew up in a household full of Cowboys fans.
He mentioned his grandmother and mother as important influences behind that support.
Joining the franchise therefore gave him an opportunity to represent a team that had been meaningful to his family long before he entered the NFL.
Although Joyce died before Jonathan began his professional career, her influence remained an important part of his excitement about playing in Dallas.
His story demonstrates how a childhood connection to a football franchise can continue influencing an athlete many years later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jonathan Bullard’s Family
Who is Jonathan Bullard’s wife?
Jonathan Bullard has not publicly confirmed a wife in the reliable sources reviewed. There is no verified marriage announcement establishing his current marital status.
Does Jonathan Bullard have a girlfriend?
As of now, no reliable public source reviewed for this profile identifies Jonathan Bullard’s current girlfriend or romantic partner.
Does Jonathan Bullard have any children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jonathan Bullard has any sons or daughters.
Who are Jonathan Bullard’s parents?
Jonathan Bullard’s parents are Leonard Bullard and Monica Bullard. They separated during his childhood, and Monica raised their three sons with assistance from her parents.
Who is Jonathan Bullard’s mother?
Jonathan Bullard’s mother is Monica Bullard, who worked night shifts at a BMW factory while raising Jonathan and his brothers in North Carolina.
How many siblings does Jonathan Bullard have?
Jonathan Bullard has two brothers: Nelson Bullard, his older brother, and Wesley Bullard, his younger brother.
Did Jonathan Bullard’s brother play college football?
Yes. His older brother Nelson Bullard played defensive line at Lenoir-Rhyne University and earned all-conference recognition.
Who was Jonathan Bullard’s grandmother?
Jonathan Bullard’s grandmother was Joyce Ann Degree Robbs, who helped raise him and supported his football ambitions. She died from cancer on November 10, 2012.
Why did Jonathan Bullard honor the American Cancer Society?
Bullard supported the American Cancer Society through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative in 2023 to honor his late grandmother, Joyce Robbs, who died following a battle with cancer.
Where is Jonathan Bullard from?
Jonathan Bullard was born and raised in Shelby, North Carolina. He attended Crest Senior High School before playing college football at the University of Florida.
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.
