Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Kalif Raymond’s family has played an important role in his journey from Georgia to becoming an established NFL wide receiver and punt return specialist. The Chicago Bears player was born to Eric Raymond and Kim Ly and grew up in a large family with seven siblings: four brothers and three sisters. His upbringing, which combines African-American and Chinese heritage, helped shape his identity, determination and dedication to football.
Born on August 8, 1994, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Kalif Raymond played college football at the College of the Holy Cross before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Beyond his professional career, Raymond is married to his longtime partner, Julia Baker Raymond, and the couple welcomed their first child, reportedly a daughter, after announcing their pregnancy in 2025. Here is everything publicly known about Kalif Raymond’s wife, children, parents and siblings.
Kalif Raymond’s Wife: Who Is Julia Baker Raymond?
Kalif Raymond’s wife is Julia Baker Raymond, whom he met while attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The couple began dating during their college years, around January 2015, and maintained their relationship as Raymond pursued his dream of becoming a professional football player.
Unlike many NFL athletes who meet their partners after achieving national recognition, Raymond and Julia knew each other before he established himself in professional football.
Their relationship continued through several challenging years when Raymond moved between NFL teams and practice squads while trying to secure a permanent roster position.
Julia supported him throughout these transitions, including his time with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions.
After dating for approximately seven years, Raymond proposed to Julia in September 2022.
They married in 2023, celebrating their wedding at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.
Who Is Julia Baker Raymond?
Julia Baker Raymond, formerly Julia Baker, is the wife of Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond.
According to biographical reporting published by EssentiallySports, Julia is Filipino-American and was born on July 2, 1994.
She has connections to Chicago, Illinois, where she was born, and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.
Her relationship with Raymond developed while they were students and continued after he entered professional football.
Although she occasionally appears alongside her husband at sporting events, Julia generally maintains a relatively private lifestyle.
She has nevertheless supported several important moments in Raymond’s career, including his achievements with the Detroit Lions.
In October 2023, the Detroit Lions published photographs showing Julia alongside her husband during a charity bowling event organized by wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The photographs publicly identified her as Raymond’s wife and highlighted their involvement in community activities.
When Did Kalif Raymond and Julia Baker Get Married?
Kalif Raymond and Julia Baker married in 2023 after several years together.
Reports published by Sportskeeda and EssentiallySports identify July 6, 2023, as their wedding date, while Raymond’s former high school lists June 2023.
The wedding took place at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, according to published accounts and photographs shared by the couple.
Raymond’s former school, Greater Atlanta Christian, also acknowledged the marriage in its 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame profile.
As of now, Kalif and Julia Raymond remain publicly identified as a married couple.
How Julia Raymond Supports Her Husband’s NFL Career
Julia Raymond has been a consistent source of support throughout her husband’s professional football career.
One particularly memorable moment occurred on September 28, 2025, during the Detroit Lions’ victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Raymond returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown before running toward the stands to give the football to his wife.
Following the game, he explained that they had always wanted to celebrate an important football moment together.
The celebration became especially meaningful because Julia was pregnant with their first child at the time.
Raymond later explained that the moment allowed him to celebrate with both his wife and their unborn baby.
In March 2026, Raymond joined the Chicago Bears, returning to the city where Julia was born.
Speaking about the move, he described Chicago as a place with personal significance to his family.
Kalif Raymond’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Kalif Raymond and his wife Julia announced that they were expecting their first child in September 2025.
The announcement became public following Raymond’s memorable touchdown celebration against the Cleveland Browns.
In an interview published by the Detroit Lions, Raymond confirmed that his wife was pregnant and explained how meaningful it was to share the touchdown celebration with his growing family.
Subsequent social media posts shared by Detroit Lions supporters reported that the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, later in 2025.
Photographs described as coming from the family’s social media accounts circulated among supporters celebrating the birth.
However, the baby’s full name and additional birth details have not been independently established through official NFL reporting.
As of now, the couple’s first child’s arrival has been reported publicly, but they have maintained privacy around the child’s personal information.
Kalif Raymond’s Journey to Fatherhood
Becoming a father was an important personal milestone for Kalif Raymond.
In a November 2025 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Raymond spoke about the meaning of family and the values he hoped to pass on to the next generation.
He explained that one of the most meaningful compliments he had received came from his father, who told him that he was a good man.
Raymond expressed his hope that his own child would eventually view him in the same way.
His comments demonstrated that he values kindness, responsibility and personal character alongside his professional achievements.
Kalif Raymond’s Parents: Meet Eric Raymond and Kim Ly
Kalif Raymond was born to Eric Raymond and Kim Ly, whose identities are documented in his official College of the Holy Cross athletics biography and NFL media guides.
His father is African-American, while his mother has Chinese ancestry and a family history connected to Vietnam.
Both parents have played important roles in supporting his football ambitions, particularly during the difficult early years of his professional career.
Kalif Raymond’s Father: Eric Raymond
Eric Raymond is Kalif Raymond’s father and an important influence on his son’s personal development.
Eric helped raise Kalif in Georgia and encouraged his interest in competitive athletics from childhood.
Although detailed public information about Eric’s professional occupation is limited, his relationship with Kalif has been discussed in several interviews.
During a November 2024 interview with journalist Tyler Dunne for Go Long, Raymond recalled how strongly his father’s presence influenced him during childhood football games.
He remembered becoming extremely upset after dropping a pass in a youth football game because he knew his father was watching from the stands.
The experience illustrated how seriously he took football, even at a young age.
As Raymond developed into a professional athlete, Eric remained an important source of encouragement.
In November 2025, Kalif told the Detroit Free Press that his father had repeatedly expressed pride in the kind of person he had become.
Rather than focusing exclusively on football statistics or financial success, Eric emphasized his son’s character.
Raymond explained that earning his father’s respect as a person was among the most meaningful achievements of his life.
Kalif Raymond’s Mother: Kim Ly
Kim Ly is Kalif Raymond’s mother and one of the most important people in his upbringing.
Kim has Chinese ancestry, and her family’s immigration story has been highlighted in interviews about Raymond’s heritage.
According to a November 2024 Go Long profile, her family originally moved from China to Vietnam during the Second World War.
They later fled Vietnam for the United States during the Vietnam War.
Kim was reportedly only three years old when she made the difficult journey by boat alongside family members.
Raymond has explained that his mother’s family experienced significant hardships during their escape.
Learning about those sacrifices has helped him appreciate the opportunities available to him and motivated him to persevere through challenges.
How Kim Ly Helped Kalif Raymond Develop His Football Career
Kim Ly has supported her son’s athletic ambitions since childhood.
In August 2020, the Tennessee Titans published a feature describing how Raymond’s family helped him prepare for professional football during offseason workouts near Atlanta.
Kim participated in the training sessions alongside her children.
During catching drills, she sometimes waved a pool noodle and shouted to distract Kalif while he attempted to catch footballs.
The unusual exercises were designed to prepare him for the pressure and distractions he would encounter during NFL games.
Rather than simply watching from the sidelines, Kim became an active participant in his preparation.
Her involvement illustrated the close relationship between Raymond and his family.
Raymond has also spoken about the importance of family meals and his appreciation for foods associated with his Asian heritage.
During a November 2025 interview, he recalled his mother’s cooking and described rice as an essential part of his ideal holiday meal.
Kalif Raymond’s Siblings: Meet His Four Brothers and Three Sisters
Kalif Raymond has seven siblings: four brothers and three sisters. This family information is documented in the Detroit Lions’ official 2021 media guide and confirmed in a 2020 interview published by the Tennessee Titans.
His brothers are Mason, Cornelius, Antonio and Kedar, while his sisters are Sydea, Madison and Erica.
His older college athletics biographies identified Mason, Sydea and Madison, while subsequent NFL publications provided the larger list.
Raymond has described his siblings as important supporters of his football career, particularly during offseason training sessions.
Mason Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Brother
Mason Raymond is one of Kalif Raymond’s four brothers.
He was identified in Raymond’s official College of the Holy Cross football and track biographies.
Mason grew up in a family with strong connections to athletics, although information about his personal sporting career is limited.
Like Kalif’s other siblings, he belongs to the extended family that has supported the NFL receiver throughout his career.
As of now, Mason maintains a relatively private life, and reliable information about his occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
Cornelius Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Brother
Cornelius Raymond is another of Kalif Raymond’s brothers.
His name appears in the Detroit Lions’ official 2021 media guide, which identifies the receiver’s four brothers and three sisters.
Although Cornelius is part of Raymond’s publicly documented family, he has generally remained outside the national media spotlight.
Detailed information about his education, profession and personal activities has not been widely published.
Antonio Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Brother
Antonio Raymond is one of Kalif Raymond’s four brothers.
He is identified in official NFL biographical material alongside Mason, Cornelius and Kedar.
Although Kalif has spoken about his siblings helping him train for professional football, available reporting does not establish Antonio’s individual responsibilities during those sessions.
As of now, Antonio maintains a relatively private public profile.
Kedar Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Brother
Kedar Raymond is Kalif Raymond’s fourth publicly identified brother.
Like his siblings, Kedar belongs to the large Raymond family associated with the receiver’s upbringing in Georgia.
His name is confirmed in the Detroit Lions’ 2021 media guide.
However, detailed verified information about Kedar’s personal life and professional activities remains limited.
Sydea Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Sister
Sydea Raymond is one of Kalif Raymond’s three sisters.
She was identified in her brother’s official college athletics biographies and has also been mentioned in online profiles discussing his family.
Some biographical accounts have associated Sydea with fitness and wellness activities.
However, independently verified information about her current profession and personal life remains limited.
She is part of the large family that has supported Raymond’s athletic development throughout his career.
Madison Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Sister
Madison Raymond is another of Kalif Raymond’s sisters.
Her name appears in his official College of the Holy Cross athletics biography, confirming their family relationship.
Although her brother has become nationally recognized through professional football, Madison has generally remained outside the public spotlight.
As of now, reliable public information about her education, occupation and personal relationships is limited.
Erica Raymond: Kalif Raymond’s Sister
Erica Raymond is Kalif Raymond’s third publicly identified sister.
Her name appears in the Detroit Lions’ 2021 official media guide, which lists Erica alongside Sydea and Madison.
Some secondary publications spell her first name as Ericca, but the official NFL document uses Erica.
Unlike her brother, who has pursued a long professional football career, Erica maintains a relatively private life.
Detailed information about her professional activities has not been extensively documented in reliable public reporting.
How Kalif Raymond’s Family Helped Him Train for the NFL
One of the most interesting aspects of Kalif Raymond’s family is how actively his relatives participated in his football development.
In August 2020, the Tennessee Titans published an article describing Raymond’s demanding offseason preparation near Atlanta.
Instead of training exclusively with professional coaches, Raymond regularly involved members of his family.
His four brothers, three sisters and other relatives took part in exercises designed to prepare him for physical and mental challenges on the football field.
Some family members acted as defensive backs, while others threw footballs, operated training equipment or attempted to distract him.
His mother also participated by creating distractions during catching drills.
The training sessions helped Raymond become comfortable catching passes and punts under pressure.
His family’s involvement was particularly important because Raymond had endured numerous setbacks during his early NFL career.
Rather than allowing those setbacks to discourage him, his relatives encouraged him to continue improving.
Kalif Raymond’s Chinese Heritage and Family Background
Kalif Raymond’s family background reflects a combination of African-American and Chinese ancestry.
His father, Eric Raymond, is African-American, while his mother, Kim Ly, comes from a family whose history includes migration from China to Vietnam and eventually to the United States.
Raymond has publicly acknowledged the influence of his mother’s heritage on his identity.
He has also spoken about how the hardships experienced by previous generations of his family shaped his perspective on perseverance.
His mother’s childhood journey from Vietnam represents a particularly significant part of his family history.
According to his 2024 interview with Go Long, the experiences of his maternal relatives helped him understand why giving up was not an option during difficult moments in his own career.
Those family lessons became especially important when he faced repeated roster cuts and uncertainty during his early NFL years.
How Kalif Raymond’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Kalif Raymond’s professional football journey has been defined by determination and persistence.
He attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, where he competed in football, track and wrestling.
During his senior football season, he recorded 30 receptions for 511 yards and nine touchdowns.
He subsequently attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he studied economics and became an accomplished receiver and return specialist.
Raymond earned first-team All-Patriot League recognition during his college football career.
Despite his performances, he was not selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
However, the Denver Broncos signed him as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career.
Raymond subsequently spent time with the New York Jets, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
His early NFL years were difficult, involving numerous roster changes and periods on practice squads.
Throughout those challenges, his family continued supporting him.
In 2021, Raymond joined the Detroit Lions, where he established himself as an important offensive contributor and return specialist.
He earned second-team All-Pro recognition as a punt returner in 2022 and 2024.
During the 2024 season, he led the NFL in punt return yards despite missing several games.
In March 2026, Raymond signed with the Chicago Bears, reuniting with head coach Ben Johnson, who had previously worked with him in Detroit.
The move also carried personal significance because his wife Julia was born in Chicago.
His rise from an undrafted college player to an established NFL veteran reflects the perseverance encouraged by his parents, wife and siblings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kalif Raymond’s Family
Who is Kalif Raymond’s wife?
Kalif Raymond’s wife is Julia Baker Raymond. The couple began dating during their college years at the College of the Holy Cross and married in 2023.
Does Kalif Raymond have a girlfriend?
Kalif Raymond is married to his longtime partner, Julia Baker Raymond, who supported him throughout his early NFL career.
Does Kalif Raymond have children?
Kalif Raymond and Julia confirmed they were expecting their first child in September 2025. Subsequent social media reports indicated they welcomed a daughter later that year, although the baby’s personal details remain largely private.
Who are Kalif Raymond’s parents?
Kalif Raymond’s parents are Eric Raymond and Kim Ly. His father is African-American, while his mother has Chinese ancestry and a family history connected to Vietnam.
How many siblings does Kalif Raymond have?
Kalif Raymond has seven siblings: four brothers and three sisters, according to the Detroit Lions’ official 2021 media guide.
Who are Kalif Raymond’s brothers?
His four brothers are Mason Raymond, Cornelius Raymond, Antonio Raymond and Kedar Raymond.
Who are Kalif Raymond’s sisters?
His three sisters are Sydea Raymond, Madison Raymond and Erica Raymond.
Is Kalif Raymond Chinese?
Kalif Raymond is an American football player with African-American and Chinese ancestry. His mother, Kim Ly, comes from a family that migrated from China to Vietnam before eventually settling in the United States.
When did Kalif Raymond get married?
Kalif Raymond married Julia Baker in 2023. Several publications identify July 6 as their wedding date, although his former high school’s biography gives June 2023.
Where is Kalif Raymond’s family from?
Kalif Raymond was born and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia. His maternal family has historical roots in China and Vietnam.
What team does Kalif Raymond play for?
Kalif Raymond plays for the Chicago Bears. He joined the team in March 2026 after five seasons with the Detroit Lions.
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.
