Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Justin Jefferson is an American professional football player who plays as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 16, 1999, in Louisiana, Jefferson has established himself as one of the league’s leading receivers since entering the NFL in 2020.
Justin Jefferson comes from a family with strong connections to American football. His parents are John and Elaine Jefferson, and he has two older brothers, Jordan and Rickey Jefferson, who both played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU). He is also the father of a daughter named Stella Anastasia Jefferson, born in December 2023. Although his previous relationship with soccer player Tianna Harris has been publicly confirmed, his current romantic relationship status remains private.
Justin Jefferson’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
As of now, Justin Jefferson has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has previously been linked to several women, but only some of those relationships have been established through reliable reporting.
One of his publicly confirmed former girlfriends is Tianna Harris, a Canadian professional soccer player who previously represented Kent State University and Minnesota Aurora FC.
In May 2023, Harris acknowledged her past relationship with Jefferson during an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune. She confirmed that they had dated but explained that they were no longer together.
Although several online publications continued identifying Harris as Jefferson’s girlfriend after the interview, her statements established that their relationship had ended.
Jefferson has also been publicly linked to Andrea Galea, a former LSU swimmer and attorney who is the mother of his daughter.
Their relationship attracted national attention in 2024 following legal proceedings concerning the paternity of their child.
Other social media personalities have been romantically linked to Jefferson through speculation, but those claims have not been sufficiently verified.
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Jefferson is married, engaged or currently dating a particular person.
Who Is Tianna Harris?
Tianna Harris is a Canadian soccer player who previously attended Kent State University in Ohio.
She developed her athletic career as a defender and later played for Minnesota Aurora FC in the USL W League.
Harris attracted attention because of her reported connection to Justin Jefferson, but she publicly clarified their relationship during a May 2023 interview.
She confirmed that they had dated for a period and described Jefferson positively while explaining that they had decided to pursue separate paths.
Her comments remain one of the clearest publicly documented statements about Jefferson’s romantic history.
Who Is Andrea Galea?
Andrea Galea is an American attorney and former college swimmer who attended Louisiana State University, where Justin Jefferson also played football.
Galea and Jefferson reportedly became acquainted during their time at LSU and later reconnected.
She became the mother of Jefferson’s daughter, Stella Anastasia, in December 2023.
In January 2024, Galea initiated legal proceedings in New Jersey seeking to establish paternity and determine child support arrangements.
Jefferson also requested a paternity determination through the court.
In 2024, a New Jersey family court confirmed that Jefferson was Stella’s father, according to reporting published by On3 and other established media outlets.
The court proceedings also addressed child support, parenting arrangements and communication between the parents.
Although Galea and Jefferson share a daughter, their current romantic relationship status has not been publicly confirmed.
Justin Jefferson’s Children
Justin Jefferson is the father of a daughter named Stella Anastasia, whose paternity was confirmed through New Jersey family court proceedings in 2024.
His daughter is the only child whose relationship to the Minnesota Vikings receiver has been clearly established through reliable reporting.
Stella Anastasia: Justin Jefferson’s Daughter
Stella Anastasia was born on December 21, 2023, to Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea.
Her birth became publicly known after Galea filed a paternity lawsuit in January 2024.
The legal proceedings attracted attention because Jefferson was already one of the most recognizable players in the NFL.
According to reporting published by On3 on July 16, 2024, a New Jersey family court judge formally established Jefferson’s paternity.
The court also acknowledged an interim child support arrangement between Jefferson and Galea.
Subsequent reports indicated that the parents were expected to coordinate matters involving their daughter’s welfare and parenting arrangements.
Galea has occasionally shared information about motherhood through her public social media accounts.
In 2025, she posted a Mother’s Day tribute expressing her appreciation for Stella and the experience of becoming a parent.
However, Jefferson has generally maintained privacy regarding his daughter’s personal life.
As of now, there is no independently verified information confirming that he has additional children.
Justin Jefferson’s Parents
Justin Jefferson was born to John Jefferson and Elaine Jefferson, who raised three sons in Louisiana.
Both parents had athletic backgrounds and encouraged their children to participate in sports from an early age.
According to interviews published by the Minnesota Vikings, John and Elaine emphasized discipline, humility, hard work and gratitude throughout their sons’ upbringing.
Justin Jefferson’s Father: John Jefferson
Justin Jefferson’s father is John Jefferson, a former college basketball player who attended Nebraska Western College and Northeast Louisiana University.
John developed an interest in basketball while growing up in Louisiana and continued playing competitively during his college years.
According to a July 2024 profile published by People magazine, he subsequently established a career as an industrial supply salesman.
John and Elaine met while attending Slidell High School in Louisiana, where both participated in basketball.
After starting their family, they encouraged their three sons to pursue athletic activities.
John frequently participated in backyard football games and basketball competitions with Jordan, Rickey and Justin.
The games helped the brothers develop their competitive instincts and encouraged Justin to challenge older and physically stronger opponents.
In a Minnesota Vikings family profile, Justin recalled competing against his father and brothers during childhood.
He explained that those experiences helped establish the mentality he later carried into college and professional football.
John also helped his sons understand the importance of remaining humble despite achieving success.
When Justin began attracting national attention at LSU, his father encouraged him to continue working rather than becoming distracted by publicity.
His support continued after the Vikings selected Justin in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
John regularly attended Minnesota games and participated in family events celebrating his son’s achievements.
In June 2024, he joined Justin and Elaine on a family trip to Rome, Italy, following the receiver’s major contract extension with Minnesota.
John’s influence remains an important part of Justin Jefferson’s personal and professional development.
Justin Jefferson’s Mother: Elaine Jefferson
Justin Jefferson’s mother is Elaine Jefferson, an American professional who has worked as an administrator at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.
Like her husband, Elaine developed an interest in competitive sports during her youth.
She played basketball at Slidell High School before raising her three sons.
According to the Minnesota Vikings’ official family feature, Elaine encouraged her children to pursue athletic activities while maintaining a strong focus on education and personal responsibility.
She recalled that Justin was an independent child who frequently wanted to participate in activities alongside his older brothers.
Even at approximately three years old, he would accompany Rickey to youth football practice and attempt to copy the drills performed by older players.
Elaine noticed her youngest son’s enthusiasm for football and encouraged him to continue developing his abilities.
She also emphasized the importance of gratitude and staying grounded despite success.
In February 2023, Jefferson publicly thanked his parents while accepting the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award for the 2022 season.
He credited John and Elaine with helping shape the person and athlete he had become.
Elaine continued supporting Justin after he entered the NFL, regularly attending games and participating in team-related family activities.
In a Vikings family article, she described how meaningful it was to maintain close relationships with other players’ mothers and families.
During June 2024, Elaine traveled to Rome with Justin and John, describing family travel as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship.
Her continued involvement in Justin’s career reflects the close bond between the wide receiver and his parents.
Justin Jefferson’s Siblings
Justin Jefferson has two older brothers: Jordan Jefferson and Rickey Jefferson.
Both played college football at Louisiana State University before Justin joined the same program in 2017.
The Jefferson brothers grew up competing against one another, and their shared love of football helped establish a strong family tradition.
Jordan Jefferson: Justin Jefferson’s Oldest Brother
Jordan Jefferson is Justin Jefferson’s oldest brother. He was born on August 25, 1990, in Louisiana.
Jordan became a prominent college football quarterback at LSU, playing for the Tigers from 2008 to 2011.
During his college career, he appeared in numerous games and finished with 4,733 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns.
He also helped LSU reach the BCS National Championship Game following the 2011 season.
After college, Jordan pursued professional football opportunities, including time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and teams in other football leagues.
He subsequently moved into coaching and athlete development.
His coaching experience included positions at Destrehan High School, the University of Houston and Colorado State University.
Jordan also became involved with NOLA Hotboys, a youth seven-on-seven football organization focused on developing young athletes.
Beyond his own football career, Jordan played a significant role in Justin’s development.
According to a July 2024 People magazine profile, Jordan frequently trained with Justin during childhood and helped him improve his receiving skills.
Because Jordan was considerably older, he provided guidance based on experiences Justin had not yet encountered.
He also helped Justin understand the expectations associated with competing at LSU.
The brothers maintained a close relationship after Justin joined the Minnesota Vikings.
Jordan spent time living with Justin in Minnesota and continued offering advice as his younger brother adjusted to professional football.
In October 2026, Jordan participated in an event supporting the Justin Jefferson Foundation, further demonstrating their continued collaboration outside football.
Rickey Jefferson: Justin Jefferson’s Older Brother
Rickey Jefferson is Justin Jefferson’s other older brother. He was born on December 28, 1994, in Louisiana.
Like Jordan and Justin, Rickey attended Destrehan High School before continuing his football career at LSU.
He played defensive back for the LSU Tigers from 2013 to 2016.
During his college career, Rickey developed into an important member of the team’s secondary, contributing tackles and interceptions.
After finishing his college career, he pursued opportunities in the NFL.
He signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and later spent time with the New Orleans Saints.
Although injuries limited his professional opportunities, Rickey remained closely connected to football and his family.
His relationship with Justin developed through years of competition and shared athletic experiences.
According to interviews published by ESPN and People magazine, Rickey was particularly demanding of Justin during childhood.
While Jordan often provided encouragement and protection, Rickey challenged Justin to improve through competitive games and direct criticism.
Justin has acknowledged that these experiences helped him become mentally stronger.
Rickey also developed an understanding of Justin’s receiving abilities before he became a successful NFL player.
Following Justin’s remarkable one-handed catch against the Buffalo Bills in November 2022, Rickey explained that they had previously discussed the importance of creating memorable moments on the football field.
The brothers continue sharing a strong connection through their love of football and support for one another.
How Justin Jefferson’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Justin Jefferson’s football career began in Louisiana, where he grew up watching his older brothers compete at high school and college levels.
His parents encouraged him to remain active in sports, while Jordan and Rickey provided examples of the discipline necessary to succeed in competitive football.
Justin attended Destrehan High School, where he developed into a promising wide receiver.
During his senior season, he recorded 44 receptions for 956 yards and nine touchdowns.
Despite his performances, Jefferson received less national recruiting attention than many other future NFL stars.
He eventually joined LSU in 2017, becoming the third Jefferson brother to play football for the university.
After limited involvement during his freshman year, he developed into a regular starter in 2018.
His breakthrough season came in 2019, when he recorded 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Jefferson helped LSU complete an undefeated season and win the College Football Playoff National Championship against Clemson in January 2020.
Following that success, he entered the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round with the 22nd overall pick.
His family celebrated the announcement together, marking the fulfillment of a dream that Justin had pursued since childhood.
Jefferson immediately established himself as one of the NFL’s leading young receivers.
He recorded 1,400 receiving yards during his rookie season and continued producing impressive performances in subsequent years.
In 2022, he recorded 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and earned the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
During his acceptance speech, he publicly thanked his parents and both brothers for helping him become successful.
In June 2024, Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with Minnesota.
His parents and older brother Jordan joined him for the contract-signing celebration.
Jefferson has continued representing the Vikings through the 2026 season, while maintaining close connections to his family in Louisiana.
His experiences illustrate how parental encouragement and the influence of older siblings contributed to his development as an NFL player.
Frequently Asked Questions About Justin Jefferson’s Family
Who is Justin Jefferson’s girlfriend?
As of now, Justin Jefferson has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend. His former relationship with Canadian soccer player Tianna Harris was confirmed by Harris in 2023.
Is Justin Jefferson married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Justin Jefferson is married or has a wife.
Does Justin Jefferson have children?
Yes. Justin Jefferson has a publicly confirmed daughter named Stella Anastasia, born on December 21, 2023.
Who is Justin Jefferson’s daughter’s mother?
His daughter’s mother is Andrea Galea, a former LSU swimmer and attorney. Jefferson’s paternity was established through New Jersey family court proceedings in 2024.
Who is Justin Jefferson’s father?
His father is John Jefferson, a former college basketball player who attended Nebraska Western College and Northeast Louisiana University.
Who is Justin Jefferson’s mother?
His mother is Elaine Jefferson, who has worked as an administrator at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.
How many siblings does Justin Jefferson have?
Justin Jefferson has two older brothers, Jordan Jefferson and Rickey Jefferson.
Who is Jordan Jefferson?
Jordan Jefferson is Justin Jefferson’s oldest brother. He played quarterback at LSU from 2008 to 2011 before pursuing coaching and youth football development.
Who is Rickey Jefferson?
Rickey Jefferson is Justin Jefferson’s older brother. He played defensive back at LSU and later had opportunities with the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints.
Are all three Jefferson brothers football players?
Yes. Jordan, Rickey and Justin Jefferson all played college football at LSU. Jordan was a quarterback, Rickey was a defensive back, and Justin played wide receiver.
Where is Justin Jefferson’s family from?
Justin Jefferson and his family are from Louisiana, in the New Orleans metropolitan area. He grew up in St. Rose and attended Destrehan High School.
Which NFL team does Justin Jefferson play for?
Justin Jefferson plays as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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.
