Kristian Welch’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova

Kristian Welch is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 24, 1998, in Iola, Wisconsin, Welch played college football at the University of Iowa before beginning his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020.

Beyond his NFL career, fans are interested in Kristian Welch’s family, including his wife, children, parents and siblings. Welch is married to Maddie Welch, and the couple has a son named Jace, who was born in May 2023. His parents are Tim and Mary Welch, while his publicly identified sister, Karina Hass, works as a teacher in Wisconsin. Family has been an important part of Welch’s life, particularly since his opportunity to play for his childhood favorite team brought him closer to his hometown.

Kristian Welch’s Wife: Meet Maddie Welch

Kristian Welch’s wife is Maddie Welch. Their marriage is confirmed in the Green Bay Packers’ official player biography and a January 2024 interview published by the team’s senior writer, Wes Hodkiewicz.

Although Kristian has developed a public career in professional football, Maddie maintains a relatively private personal life. Detailed information about her childhood, education, professional occupation and family background has not been extensively documented in reliable sports reporting.

The couple has built their family in the Midwest, maintaining close connections with relatives in Wisconsin and Iowa.

During an interview with the Green Bay Packers in January 2024, Welch explained that he and Maddie lived in eastern Iowa during the offseason. He also mentioned that his wife’s family lived nearby, making the region an especially comfortable place for them to raise their son.

As of now, Maddie is publicly identified as Kristian Welch’s wife and the mother of their son, Jace.

How Did Kristian Welch and Maddie Meet?

Kristian Welch has not publicly provided detailed information about how he first met Maddie.

Although the couple’s marriage and parenthood are confirmed through official NFL reporting, reliable sources do not establish when their romantic relationship began or where they first became acquainted.

Welch attended the University of Iowa before entering the NFL, while his family continues to maintain strong connections to the Midwest. However, there is no verified information establishing whether the couple met during college or at another stage of their lives.

When Did Kristian Welch Get Married?

Kristian Welch is married to Maddie, but their exact wedding date has not been established in the official sources reviewed.

Unlike some NFL players who share extensive information about their weddings, Welch has generally kept details of his marriage outside public attention.

His relationship became more widely documented in January 2024, when the Green Bay Packers published a feature discussing his wife, their son and the importance of living near their extended families.

Kristian Welch’s Children: Meet His Son Jace

Kristian Welch and his wife, Maddie, have one publicly identified child, a son named Jace Welch.

Jace was born in May 2023, a few months before Kristian joined the Green Bay Packers for the first time.

His birth was an important milestone for the linebacker, who was preparing for another NFL season after spending three years with the Baltimore Ravens.

In January 2024, the Packers published an interview in which Welch discussed the happiness his son’s arrival had brought to the family.

As of now, the team’s official player biography continues to identify Jace as Kristian and Maddie’s son. No additional children have been publicly confirmed.

Kristian Welch’s Son: Jace Welch

Jace is the son of Kristian and Maddie Welch. He was born in May 2023, making him three years old in 2026.

Jace’s arrival coincided with an important period in his father’s professional football career.

After spending three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Welch was released during the final roster reductions in August 2023.

Shortly afterward, he received an opportunity to join the Green Bay Packers, allowing him to play much closer to his hometown in Wisconsin.

The move was especially meaningful because Jace’s grandparents, Tim and Mary Welch, lived in the region.

During his interview with the Packers, Kristian explained that his parents were delighted to have their grandson living much closer to them.

Previously, while Welch played in Baltimore, the family had been separated by approximately 1,000 miles, making regular visits difficult.

Playing in Green Bay allowed Jace to spend more time with his paternal grandparents and other relatives.

How Fatherhood Changed Kristian Welch’s Family Life

Becoming a father in May 2023 brought new responsibilities and priorities into Kristian Welch’s life.

Although he had already established himself as an NFL special teams contributor, Jace’s arrival made spending time near family especially valuable.

The opportunity to play for Green Bay therefore carried personal importance beyond football.

Welch explained that his relatives could attend games more frequently, and his parents had additional opportunities to spend time with their grandson.

In August 2024, while discussing his future with the Packers, Welch also mentioned his desire to spend time with his wife, son and parents during a break from football.

His comments demonstrated the importance he places on balancing his professional career with family responsibilities.

Kristian Welch’s Parents: Meet Tim and Mary Welch

Kristian Welch’s parents are Tim Welch and Mary Welch. Their identities are confirmed in his official University of Iowa football biography and reporting published by the Green Bay Packers.

The couple raised Kristian in Iola, Wisconsin, a small community located approximately 75 minutes west of Green Bay.

Both parents have remained supportive of their son’s football career, following his development from a high school athlete to a professional NFL linebacker.

Their connection to the Green Bay Packers became particularly meaningful when Kristian joined the franchise in August 2023.

Kristian Welch’s Father: Tim Welch

Tim Welch is Kristian Welch’s father and one of the publicly identified members of his immediate family.

His name appears in Kristian’s official University of Iowa football biography, which identifies Tim and Mary as the player’s parents.

Tim raised his family in Iola, Wisconsin, where Kristian developed his interest in American football and other sports.

Although Tim’s professional background has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources, he has been part of his son’s support system throughout his athletic career.

When Kristian began playing professionally for the Baltimore Ravens, the family faced the challenge of traveling long distances to attend games.

According to a January 2024 Packers interview, Tim and Mary were generally able to attend only two or three games each season while their son played in Baltimore.

That situation changed when Kristian joined Green Bay in 2023.

With Lambeau Field located much closer to their hometown, Tim and Mary were able to attend games more regularly.

The arrangement also allowed them to spend additional time with their grandson, Jace.

For Tim, watching his son represent the team he had supported since childhood was an important family milestone.

Kristian Welch’s Mother: Mary Welch

Mary Welch is Kristian Welch’s mother. She is identified alongside Tim Welch in his official college football biography and interviews published by the Green Bay Packers.

Mary helped raise Kristian in Iola, Wisconsin, where he attended Iola-Scandinavia High School.

Although she has maintained a relatively private public profile, her support for her son’s football journey is documented through Kristian’s interviews.

During his early NFL career in Baltimore, the distance between Wisconsin and Maryland made frequent family visits challenging.

However, Kristian’s move to the Packers in August 2023 created an opportunity for Mary to become more involved in his professional football experience.

She and Tim were able to attend more games and spend additional time with their grandson.

Kristian described how happy his parents were to have Jace living closer to them, emphasizing the importance of family connections.

Although Mary’s occupation, age and other personal details have not been widely documented, her role as Kristian’s mother and Jace’s grandmother is publicly confirmed.

Kristian Welch’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Karina Hass

Kristian Welch has a publicly identified sister named Karina Hass, who works as a teacher in Wisconsin.

Her relationship to the NFL linebacker was confirmed by WBAY-TV in January 2024, when the television station reported on a special school event organized ahead of a Green Bay Packers playoff game.

Karina’s work at the Iola-Scandinavia School District provides another connection between the Welch family and Kristian’s hometown.

Kristian Welch’s Sister: Karina Hass

Karina Hass is Kristian Welch’s sister and an educator who teaches English and language arts.

According to a January 11, 2024, report published by WBAY-TV, Karina worked as a middle school English and language arts teacher in the Iola-Scandinavia School District.

The district is particularly meaningful to the family because Kristian attended Iola-Scandinavia High School before continuing his football career at Iowa.

Karina attracted local media attention when the Packers prepared to face the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card round of the 2023 NFL season.

At the time, another teacher in the same school district, Joel Biadasz, was the brother of Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz.

Because both teachers had brothers playing for opposing NFL teams, the school district organized a friendly competition called the “Battle of the Brothers.”

The event encouraged students to show support for either the Packers or Cowboys.

Karina represented the Packers side of the competition, while Joel represented Dallas.

Speaking with WBAY, Karina explained that there was no serious rivalry between the teachers and that most of the excitement came from students and other people around them.

The event demonstrated the community’s pride in Kristian’s achievements and created a memorable connection between his professional football career and his sister’s workplace.

Does Kristian Welch Have Brothers?

As of now, reliable public sources have not identified any biological brothers of Kristian Welch.

His sister Karina Hass is the only sibling whose identity was independently established through the reporting reviewed.

However, this does not necessarily mean that Kristian has no additional siblings. His official Packers and University of Iowa biographies do not provide a complete breakdown of his brothers and sisters.

Therefore, the total number of Kristian Welch’s siblings remains unconfirmed.

Kristian Welch’s Early Life and Family Background

Kristian Keith Welch was born on May 24, 1998, in Iola, Wisconsin, United States.

He grew up in a small community where American football was an important part of local sporting culture.

Welch attended Iola-Scandinavia High School, where he developed into a talented multisport athlete.

During high school, he played both linebacker and running back for the football team.

He also competed in basketball, serving as a team captain and earning team MVP recognition.

His high school was relatively small, with approximately 52 students in his graduating class, according to the Green Bay Packers.

Despite attending a small school, Welch established himself as one of the region’s most productive football players.

During his senior season, he rushed for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns while recording 75 tackles on defense.

His achievements earned all-state and all-region recognition.

After attracting interest from college football recruiters, Welch committed to the University of Iowa, where he continued developing as a linebacker.

Kristian Welch’s College Football Career at Iowa

Kristian Welch attended the University of Iowa and played for the Hawkeyes from 2016 through 2019 after redshirting in 2015.

He gradually developed into a productive defensive player and important contributor on special teams.

During his senior season in 2019, Welch served as a defensive captain and led Iowa with 87 tackles.

His performances earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from both the conference’s coaches and media.

Welch also received academic recognition during his college career, demonstrating his commitment to education alongside athletics.

After completing his time at Iowa, he entered the 2020 NFL Draft but was not selected.

Nevertheless, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional football career.

Kristian Welch’s NFL Career and Return to Wisconsin

Kristian Welch began his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020.

He spent three seasons with the organization, establishing himself as a reliable special teams contributor.

In August 2023, the Ravens released Welch during their final roster reductions.

Shortly afterward, the Green Bay Packers offered him an opportunity to join their practice squad.

Welch signed with Green Bay on August 31, 2023, before earning promotion to the active roster later that September.

For a player who had grown up supporting the Packers, joining the organization represented the fulfillment of a childhood ambition.

He appeared in 14 regular-season games during the 2023 season and became an important contributor on special teams.

Welch spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens before returning to Green Bay in March 2025.

He remained with the Packers during the 2025 season and continued contributing to the team’s special teams units in 2026.

Why Playing for the Packers Means So Much to Kristian Welch’s Family

One of the most meaningful aspects of Kristian Welch’s professional career has been the opportunity to play close to his hometown.

Before joining the Packers, he spent three seasons in Baltimore, approximately 1,000 miles from his family in Wisconsin.

During those years, Tim and Mary Welch could attend only a limited number of games.

When their son joined Green Bay in 2023, the situation changed considerably.

According to a January 2024 interview published by the Packers, Kristian had at least ten relatives and friends attending each home game during that season.

He explained that being able to spend time with family members after games was one of the most rewarding aspects of returning to Wisconsin.

The move was also beneficial for his wife and son because their extended family members lived relatively nearby.

His parents were especially happy to spend more time with Jace, who had been born only a few months before Welch joined the Packers.

Although professional football frequently requires players to relocate, Welch’s opportunity in Green Bay allowed him to remain close to the people who had supported him throughout his life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kristian Welch’s Family

Who is Kristian Welch’s wife?

Kristian Welch’s wife is Maddie Welch. Their marriage is confirmed in his official Green Bay Packers biography.

Does Kristian Welch have a girlfriend?

Kristian Welch is married to Maddie Welch. He is therefore publicly identified as married rather than single.

When did Kristian Welch get married?

Kristian Welch is married to Maddie, but their exact wedding date has not been reliably established in the official sources reviewed.

Does Kristian Welch have children?

Yes. Kristian Welch and his wife, Maddie, have a son named Jace, who was born in May 2023.

Who is Kristian Welch’s son?

His son is Jace Welch. His birth in May 2023 was confirmed by the Green Bay Packers in a January 2024 family interview.

Who are Kristian Welch’s parents?

Kristian Welch’s parents are Tim Welch and Mary Welch. They live in the Wisconsin region where Kristian grew up.

Who is Kristian Welch’s father?

His father is Tim Welch, who supported his football career and has attended Packers games since Kristian returned to Wisconsin.

Who is Kristian Welch’s mother?

His mother is Mary Welch. She is identified alongside Tim in Kristian’s official University of Iowa football biography.

Who is Kristian Welch’s sister?

Kristian Welch’s sister is Karina Hass, an English and language arts teacher who has worked in the Iola-Scandinavia School District in Wisconsin.

How many siblings does Kristian Welch have?

Kristian Welch has one publicly identified sibling, his sister Karina Hass. The total number of his siblings has not been independently confirmed.

How old is Kristian Welch?

Kristian Welch was born on May 24, 1998, making him 28 years old as of now.

Where is Kristian Welch from?

Kristian Welch is from Iola, Wisconsin, United States. He attended Iola-Scandinavia High School before playing college football at the University of Iowa.

What NFL team does Kristian Welch play for?

Kristian Welch plays linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He previously played for the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.