Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Josh Blackwell is an American professional football player who plays cornerback and contributes on special teams for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 5, 1999, in Georgia, Blackwell has established himself as a versatile defensive player since entering the league in 2022. Beyond his football career, many fans are interested in Josh Blackwell’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
The Chicago Bears cornerback is the son of Joe and Janine Blackwell. His family background includes a connection to college athletics through his cousin, Katherine Randolph. Blackwell has also been romantically linked to Eva Serrano, whom Sports Illustrated identified as his girlfriend. Although some details about his personal life have become public, information about his siblings and whether he has children remains limited.
Josh Blackwell’s Girlfriend: Meet Eva Serrano
Josh Blackwell’s publicly identified girlfriend is Eva Serrano. Their relationship was documented by Sports Illustrated’s Lifestyle publication in a feature about the wives and girlfriends of Chicago Bears players.
According to the publication, Blackwell began sharing photographs featuring Serrano on his Instagram account in February 2024.
The couple has appeared together in photographs taken during football events and personal trips, giving supporters occasional glimpses into their relationship.
One of the trips mentioned in the report was a vacation to Cancún, Mexico, where the two enjoyed time away from Blackwell’s professional football responsibilities.
Although their relationship has received public attention, Serrano has generally maintained a relatively private profile.
There is limited verified information about her age, occupation, education or family background. Consequently, these personal details should not be presented as established facts.
Blackwell has also avoided discussing extensive details about his relationship in major football interviews, preferring to focus on his athletic development and professional responsibilities.
As of now, Eva Serrano remains the most recently publicly identified romantic partner of Josh Blackwell in the reliable reporting reviewed. However, no more recent independent confirmation of their relationship status was established.
Is Eva Serrano Josh Blackwell’s Wife?
There is no reliable public announcement confirming that Josh Blackwell and Eva Serrano are married.
Although Sports Illustrated identified Serrano as his girlfriend, the publication did not report that the couple had exchanged wedding vows.
Similarly, no verified engagement announcement was found in the sources reviewed.
As of now, Blackwell’s marital status has not been independently confirmed, and Serrano should not be described as his wife without further evidence.
Josh Blackwell’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Josh Blackwell has children. The Chicago Bears cornerback has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father.
His public interviews generally concentrate on his football career, college experiences, achievements with the Chicago Bears and relationships with teammates and coaches.
Although Blackwell occasionally shares aspects of his personal life on social media, reliable public reporting has not established the existence of a son or daughter.
As of now, Josh Blackwell has no publicly confirmed children. This does not necessarily mean that he has none, only that the information has not been established through credible sources.
Josh Blackwell’s Parents: Meet Joe and Janine Blackwell
Josh Blackwell’s parents are Joe Blackwell and Janine Blackwell. Their names are confirmed in his official Duke University football biography and the Chicago Bears’ media guide.
Blackwell grew up in Buford, Georgia, approximately 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, where he developed his interest in American football.
His childhood in a region known for competitive high school football helped shape his athletic ambitions.
Although his parents have not frequently appeared in national media coverage, they are part of his documented family background.
Josh Blackwell’s Father: Joe Blackwell
Joe Blackwell is the father of Chicago Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell.
His identity is confirmed in Duke University’s official player biography, which identifies Josh as the son of Joe and Janine Blackwell.
Josh spent his childhood in Buford, Georgia, developing the speed and athletic skills that eventually made him a successful high school football player.
In a March 2025 interview with the Chicago Bears’ official website, Blackwell recalled following NFL football during his childhood and dreaming of achieving professional success.
He particularly remembered seeing prominent players, including former Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones, receive major contract extensions.
Those experiences helped inspire his ambition to establish a long-term career in the NFL.
Although Joe Blackwell is publicly identified as Josh’s father, his occupation, educational background and other personal information have not been consistently documented by authoritative sources.
It is therefore important to distinguish the confirmed family relationship from details that remain private.
Josh Blackwell’s Mother: Janine Blackwell
Janine Blackwell is Josh Blackwell’s mother. Her identity is documented in official Duke University and Chicago Bears player records.
Josh grew up in Buford, Georgia, where he attended local schools before joining the football program at Buford High School.
He subsequently received an opportunity to continue his education and football career at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
At Duke, Blackwell balanced his responsibilities as a college athlete with a demanding academic program.
He graduated in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in public policy, a minor in psychology and a certificate in markets and management.
He later earned a master’s degree in management studies from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in December 2021.
These accomplishments highlight the importance of education in Blackwell’s personal development.
However, detailed public statements describing Janine’s individual influence on his academic achievements or football career are limited.
Her professional background and other personal details have not been widely established through reliable reporting.
Josh Blackwell’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Josh Blackwell’s siblings have not been reliably identified in major public biographical sources.
His official Duke University football biography identifies his parents and one cousin but does not provide information about brothers or sisters.
Similarly, the Chicago Bears’ published player information concentrates primarily on his athletic career and educational background rather than identifying additional members of his immediate family.
This means there is insufficient evidence to determine whether Blackwell is an only child or has siblings who prefer to remain outside the public spotlight.
As of now, the names and number of Josh Blackwell’s brothers or sisters remain publicly unconfirmed.
Josh Blackwell’s Cousin: Katherine Randolph
One confirmed member of Josh Blackwell’s extended family is Katherine Randolph, his cousin and a former college track and field athlete.
According to Blackwell’s official Duke University biography, Randolph competed in track and field at Georgia State University.
She was a member of the Georgia State team that won the Sun Belt Conference championship in the women’s 4×100-meter relay in 2015.
Her achievement demonstrates a connection between Blackwell’s family and competitive collegiate athletics.
Josh also participated in track and field during his high school years, competing in sprinting events and helping Buford High School achieve success in relay competitions.
Although Blackwell and Randolph competed in different sports, both developed their athletic abilities through speed-based events.
Their experiences represent an interesting connection within the family’s sporting background.
How Josh Blackwell’s Childhood Shaped His Football Career
Josh Blackwell’s journey to professional football began in Buford, Georgia, where he attended Buford High School and became a standout football and track athlete.
During his sophomore season, he helped Buford complete an undefeated 15-0 campaign and win the Georgia Class 4A state championship.
Blackwell continued developing as a defensive back and return specialist during his junior and senior seasons.
As a junior, he earned first-team All-State honors and contributed to one of the state’s strongest defensive units.
He also demonstrated exceptional speed through track and field, recording competitive performances in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints.
His athletic achievements attracted interest from college football programs, eventually leading him to Duke University.
Josh Blackwell’s College Football Career at Duke
Blackwell joined Duke University’s football program in 2017 and developed into a reliable defensive back for the Blue Devils.
Over his college career, he appeared in 37 games and made 28 starts, recording 96 tackles, 20 passes defended and one forced fumble.
He also contributed as a punt returner, demonstrating the versatility that would later become an important part of his NFL career.
During the 2018 Independence Bowl against Temple, Blackwell established a Duke bowl-game record by defending four passes.
His college journey was not without difficulties. Injuries interrupted parts of his development and required extensive rehabilitation.
In 2021, he received Duke’s Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award, recognizing his determination and ability to overcome challenges.
He also earned Academic All-ACC recognition for his achievements as a student-athlete.
After graduating, Blackwell pursued an NFL career despite not being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Josh Blackwell’s Journey to the Chicago Bears
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Josh Blackwell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
His time with Philadelphia involved uncertainty as he competed for a place on the roster.
On August 31, 2022, the Chicago Bears claimed him off waivers, giving him a new opportunity to establish himself in professional football.
Blackwell gradually developed into an important contributor on Chicago’s special teams unit while providing depth in the defensive secondary.
One of the defining moments of his career occurred on January 5, 2025, when he scored a 94-yard touchdown on a trick punt return against the Green Bay Packers.
The play contributed to Chicago’s 24-22 victory at Lambeau Field and attracted widespread attention.
In March 2025, Blackwell signed a two-year contract extension with the Bears.
Speaking to the team’s official website after signing the agreement, he described the achievement as the realization of a dream he had carried since childhood.
He also received numerous congratulatory messages from family members, friends and supporters following his memorable performance against Green Bay.
His journey from undrafted free agent to established NFL contributor illustrates his persistence and determination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Josh Blackwell’s Family
Who is Josh Blackwell’s girlfriend?
Josh Blackwell has been publicly linked to Eva Serrano. Sports Illustrated identified her as his girlfriend and reported that he had shared photographs of the couple on Instagram since February 2024.
Is Josh Blackwell married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Josh Blackwell is married or that he has announced an engagement.
Does Josh Blackwell have children?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Josh Blackwell has a son or daughter.
Who are Josh Blackwell’s parents?
Josh Blackwell’s parents are Joe Blackwell and Janine Blackwell, according to his official Duke University football biography.
Who is Josh Blackwell’s father?
Josh Blackwell’s father is Joe Blackwell. His professional background and personal life have not been extensively documented in public reporting.
Who is Josh Blackwell’s mother?
Josh Blackwell’s mother is Janine Blackwell, whose name appears in Duke University’s official player biography.
Does Josh Blackwell have siblings?
As of now, there is insufficient reliable public information to confirm whether Josh Blackwell has brothers or sisters.
Who is Josh Blackwell’s cousin?
Josh Blackwell’s cousin is Katherine Randolph, a former Georgia State University track and field athlete who competed on a Sun Belt Conference championship relay team.
Where is Josh Blackwell from?
Josh Blackwell is from Buford, Georgia, United States. He attended Buford High School before continuing his education and football career at Duke University.
How old is Josh Blackwell?
Josh Blackwell was born on April 5, 1999. He is 27 years old in 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.
