Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Josh Downs is an American professional football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 12, 2001, Downs grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, in a family with strong connections to professional football. His parents, Gary and Tanya Downs, raised three children who all became successful athletes.
Beyond his NFL career, Downs is known for his close relationships with his parents, older sister Kameron Downs and younger brother Caleb Downs, who plays safety for the Dallas Cowboys. His father, Gary, is a former NFL running back, while his uncle, Dré Bly, also enjoyed a successful professional football career.
Although Downs has openly discussed his family and childhood, he maintains a relatively private romantic life. Here is everything publicly known about Josh Downs’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and family background.
Josh Downs’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
As of now, Josh Downs has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend, and no romantic partner has been reliably identified through established sports reporting.
The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver has primarily discussed his football career, family relationships and community activities during public interviews.
His official Indianapolis Colts biography does not identify a girlfriend, and reliable reporting about his personal life has generally focused on his parents and siblings.
Although he maintains a presence on social media, there is insufficient verified information to establish whether he is currently dating someone.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to name a particular woman as his girlfriend without reliable confirmation.
Is Josh Downs Married?
As of now, there has been no verified public announcement confirming that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is married.
His official NFL biography and established family profiles do not identify a wife or spouse.
Similarly, no reliable public reporting establishes that he has announced an engagement or wedding.
His relationship status therefore remains private rather than definitively confirmed as single.
Josh Downs’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Josh Downs has not publicly confirmed having any children.
Neither his official Indianapolis Colts biography nor established reporting about his family identifies a son or daughter.
Downs has spoken extensively about his parents, siblings and extended family, but he has not publicly shared verified information about becoming a father.
Therefore, there is insufficient reliable evidence to establish whether he has children.
Josh Downs’s Parents: Meet Gary and Tanya Downs
Josh Downs was born to Gary Downs and Tanya Downs, who raised him and his two siblings in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Both parents have athletic backgrounds and emphasized discipline, education and personal responsibility throughout their children’s upbringing.
The family has frequently discussed the importance of faith, family relationships and football in shaping their lives.
Gary and Tanya attended North Carolina State University, where they met before eventually establishing their family in Georgia.
Their three children, Kameron, Josh and Caleb, pursued competitive sports at the collegiate level.
Josh Downs’s Father: Gary Downs
Gary Downs is Josh Downs’s father and a former professional football running back.
He played college football at North Carolina State University before entering the NFL.
The New York Giants selected Gary in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft with the 95th overall pick.
During his professional career, Gary played for the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons between 1994 and 2000.
Following his playing career, he became involved in coaching and youth athletic development.
Gary has worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Gwinnett County and participated in initiatives supporting young athletes.
His professional football experience significantly influenced Josh’s childhood.
In an Indianapolis Star interview published in December 2023, Gary recalled introducing Josh to football when he was approximately six years old.
He demonstrated tackling techniques using his old NFL football equipment, teaching his son the fundamentals of physical contact.
Gary also encouraged Josh to develop discipline and confidence despite being smaller than many players at his position.
Throughout Josh’s college football career at North Carolina, Gary remained involved in his development and regularly provided guidance.
He also encouraged his younger son, Caleb, who eventually followed Josh into the NFL.
Josh Downs’s Mother: Tanya Downs
Tanya Downs is Josh Downs’s mother and a mathematics teacher.
She also has an athletic background, having played soccer during her childhood and high school years.
According to reporting by FOX Sports, Tanya worked as a mathematics teacher while supporting her children’s educational and athletic development.
She attended North Carolina State University, where she met her future husband, Gary Downs.
Together, they raised Kameron, Josh and Caleb in Georgia.
Tanya has emphasized the importance of maintaining balance between sports, education and family responsibilities.
She also played an important role in establishing the family’s religious traditions.
In a January 2025 interview with Atlanta News First, Gary explained that Tanya encouraged him to become involved in teaching Sunday school.
The couple made faith and family values central elements of their children’s upbringing.
Tanya has attended important football games and celebrated her sons’ achievements throughout their athletic careers.
Her support has extended beyond Josh’s NFL success to Caleb’s college and professional football career and Kameron’s academic accomplishments.
Josh Downs’s Siblings: Meet Kameron and Caleb Downs
Josh Downs has two siblings: an older sister named Kameron Downs and a younger brother named Caleb Downs.
He is the middle child in the family.
All three siblings participated in competitive sports, with Kameron pursuing college soccer while Josh and Caleb developed careers in American football.
Their athletic backgrounds reflect the influence of their parents and the competitive environment in which they grew up.
Kameron Downs: Josh Downs’s Older Sister
Kameron Downs is Josh Downs’s older sister and the eldest child of Gary and Tanya Downs.
She was born on November 28, 1998, and grew up in Georgia alongside her two younger brothers.
Like her mother, Kameron developed a passion for soccer.
She attended Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where she became an accomplished soccer player.
After high school, Kameron joined the women’s soccer program at Kennesaw State University.
She played as a forward and participated in college soccer from 2017 through 2020.
During her college career, she appeared in 65 matches and recorded five goals and three assists.
Alongside her athletic responsibilities, Kameron studied biochemistry.
She graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2021 and later enrolled at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
According to a September 2026 People magazine profile, Kameron is pursuing her medical degree, with an expected graduation year of 2027.
Her educational achievements have inspired her younger brothers.
Caleb has publicly praised Kameron’s determination, particularly her ability to overcome two ACL injuries during high school and continue playing college soccer.
Her persistence in both sports and education has made her an important role model within the family.
Caleb Downs: Josh Downs’s Younger Brother
Caleb Downs is Josh Downs’s younger brother and a professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys.
He was born on December 10, 2004, making him approximately three years younger than Josh.
Caleb grew up in the same football-oriented family and developed into one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in American football.
He attended Mill Creek High School in Georgia, where he became a five-star recruit and one of the nation’s leading high school defensive backs.
In 2023, Caleb joined the University of Alabama football program and immediately established himself as a standout safety.
He transferred to Ohio State University in January 2024, where he continued developing his defensive abilities.
During his college career, Caleb earned multiple All-American honors and won the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing the nation’s top defensive back.
The Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
His selection meant that both Downs brothers had successfully reached the NFL.
Josh publicly celebrated his younger brother’s achievement and expressed pride in his progression.
The brothers have remained close despite pursuing different paths through college football.
In August 2025, they launched a podcast called Downs 2 Business, discussing professional sports, personal experiences and life beyond football.
Their relationship combines strong family support with the competitive spirit established during childhood.
Josh Downs’s Uncle: Former NFL Star Dré Bly
Josh Downs is also related to former NFL cornerback Dré Bly, who is his uncle by marriage.
Bly played college football at the University of North Carolina before entering the NFL.
The St. Louis Rams selected him in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
During his professional career, Bly played for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.
He won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams and earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time with Detroit.
After retiring as a player, Bly pursued a coaching career.
He worked as a defensive backs coach at the University of North Carolina, where Josh was playing college football.
Their shared university connection provided Josh with additional professional guidance during his development.
In interviews with the Indianapolis Colts, Josh explained that having both his father and uncle experience the NFL helped him understand the demands of professional football.
Josh Downs’s Childhood and Family Background
Josh Downs grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, in a household where football and other sports were part of everyday life.
His father had already completed his professional football career, allowing him to share firsthand knowledge of NFL competition.
Josh began developing his athletic abilities at a young age through training activities and competitions with family members.
His younger brother, Caleb, frequently participated in these activities, creating a competitive relationship that helped both improve.
Josh attended North Gwinnett High School, where he became a talented wide receiver.
He helped North Gwinnett win a Georgia Class 7A state championship during his sophomore season.
In addition to football, he participated in basketball and track and field.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from several college football programs.
He ultimately chose the University of North Carolina, where he developed into one of the most productive receivers in the school’s history.
During his college career, Downs earned All-ACC recognition and recorded consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
His achievements eventually attracted the attention of NFL teams.
How Josh Downs’s Family Influenced His NFL Career
Josh Downs has repeatedly credited his family with helping him develop the discipline required for professional football.
His father provided technical guidance based on his years in the NFL, while his mother emphasized education and personal responsibility.
His siblings also helped create a competitive family environment.
In a 2023 interview with the Indianapolis Colts, Downs explained that growing up around former NFL players made professional football feel like an achievable goal.
His father and uncle helped establish an understanding of the effort and preparation required to compete at the highest level.
However, Downs has also emphasized the importance of building his own professional identity rather than relying solely on his family’s sporting reputation.
He achieved that goal when the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 79th overall pick.
His rookie season included 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns.
He continued developing as a reliable receiver during subsequent seasons with Indianapolis.
Josh Downs and His Family’s Charitable Foundation
Josh Downs, his younger brother Caleb and their father Gary have also collaborated on charitable initiatives.
In 2024, they established the Trust Downs Foundation, an organization focused on helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
According to the foundation’s official website, its activities include supporting organizations that provide shelter, essential resources and opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
The organization has concentrated on communities connected to the family’s football careers, including Indianapolis, Atlanta and Columbus.
It has organized fundraising activities, youth football camps and community outreach initiatives.
The foundation also supports educational opportunities through scholarship-related programs.
In July 2025, Josh participated in a fundraising initiative supporting the Huckleberry House in Columbus, Ohio.
He explained that the family wanted to use its professional success and available resources to help people facing difficult circumstances.
The charitable work represents another example of how Josh and Caleb have maintained a close relationship with their father while using football as a platform for community involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Josh Downs’s Family
Who is Josh Downs’s girlfriend?
As of now, Josh Downs has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend, and no romantic partner has been reliably identified.
Is Josh Downs married?
There has been no verified public announcement confirming that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is married.
Does Josh Downs have children?
Josh Downs has not publicly confirmed having any children. Reliable sources do not identify a son or daughter.
Who are Josh Downs’s parents?
His parents are Gary Downs and Tanya Downs, who raised him and his two siblings in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Who is Josh Downs’s father?
His father is Gary Downs, a former NFL running back who played for the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
Who is Josh Downs’s mother?
His mother is Tanya Downs, a mathematics teacher and former high school soccer player.
How many siblings does Josh Downs have?
Josh Downs has two siblings: an older sister, Kameron Downs, and a younger brother, Caleb Downs.
Who is Josh Downs’s brother?
His younger brother is Caleb Downs, a professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys.
Who is Josh Downs’s sister?
His older sister is Kameron Downs, a former Kennesaw State University soccer player who is pursuing a medical degree at Wake Forest University.
Are Josh Downs and Caleb Downs brothers?
Yes. Josh and Caleb Downs are biological brothers and the sons of Gary and Tanya Downs.
Who is older, Josh Downs or Caleb Downs?
Josh Downs is older. He was born on August 12, 2001, while Caleb was born on December 10, 2004.
Is Josh Downs related to Dré Bly?
Yes. Former NFL cornerback Dré Bly is Josh Downs’s uncle by marriage.
Where is Josh Downs’s family from?
Josh Downs grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Did Josh Downs’s father play in the NFL?
Yes. Gary Downs played running back in the NFL between 1994 and 2000.
What is the Trust Downs Foundation?
The Trust Downs Foundation is a charitable organization established by Gary, Josh and Caleb Downs in 2024 to support communities affected by homelessness and financial hardship.
Which NFL team does Josh Downs play for?
As of now, Josh Downs plays wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, who selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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.
