Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Mike Jackson’s family is an important part of the Carolina Panthers cornerback’s life. The NFL player is married and has two children, with a third baby expected. His parents are LaShelle Jackson Spears and Michael Kerr, both of whom have backgrounds connected to the military or professional football.
Born on January 10, 1997, in Frankfurt, Germany, Michael Jackson Sr. grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, before becoming a professional football player. He attended the University of Miami and entered the NFL in 2019.
Although Jackson is widely recognized for his defensive skills, he has frequently explained that his wife and children motivate him to succeed. Here is everything publicly known about Mike Jackson’s wife, girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Does Mike Jackson Have a Girlfriend or Wife?
Mike Jackson is married. The Carolina Panthers have confirmed his marital status in multiple articles discussing his family and professional career.
Before his marriage was publicly documented, Jackson was linked to Reanna Payne, who was identified as his romantic partner in an August 2023 article published by The News Tribune.
During that interview, Jackson discussed how important it was to have Reanna and his children accompanying him to football games.
Later, in August 2025, the Carolina Panthers reported that Jackson’s wife and children had moved with him from Seattle to Charlotte following his trade to the team.
A September 2026 Panthers article again referred to his wife while discussing their preparations to welcome another child.
As of now, Jackson is publicly confirmed to be married. However, the Panthers’ reports do not identify his wife by name, and there is insufficient verified information to conclusively establish whether Reanna Payne is the spouse mentioned in those later articles.
When Did Mike Jackson Get Married?
Mike Jackson has not publicly disclosed a reliably verified wedding date. Although his marriage has been confirmed by official team reporting, details about the wedding ceremony and location remain private.
How Many Children Does Mike Jackson Have?
Mike Jackson has two children and is expecting a third. His publicly identified children are a son, Michael Jackson Jr., and a daughter, Ryann.
In September 2026, the Carolina Panthers reported that Jackson and his wife were expecting another daughter around November 10, 2026.
Jackson has spoken openly about how fatherhood changed his perspective on football, encouraging him to prioritize both professional success and time with his family.
Michael Jackson Jr. – His Son
Michael Jackson Jr. is Mike Jackson’s first publicly documented child. He was born in April 2018, while his father was playing college football at the University of Miami.
Jackson’s experience becoming a father was featured in an August 2018 University of Miami athletics article titled “Father First: Jackson Raising his Son and his Game.”
The cornerback explained that his son’s arrival gave him an additional reason to work hard and pursue a professional football career.
His connection with Michael Jr. also influenced his NFL jersey number. When Jackson joined the Carolina Panthers, he chose number 2 in honor of his son, whom he affectionately calls “Two-Time.”
Ryann – Mike Jackson’s Daughter
Ryann is Mike Jackson’s daughter, born around September 2021.
Jackson discussed Ryann in a 2023 interview with The News Tribune while explaining the importance of his family being able to attend his games.
He also described the difficulties of moving between NFL teams and how establishing himself with the Seattle Seahawks allowed him to spend more consistent time with his children.
His comments highlighted the emotional importance of balancing the responsibilities of professional football with raising his son and daughter.
Mike Jackson’s Third Child
According to an official Carolina Panthers article published on September 30, 2026, Jackson and his wife were expecting their third child, another daughter, around November 10, 2026.
Jackson was recovering from surgery following a football injury, and his recovery period was expected to give him additional time with his family during the baby’s arrival.
As of now, the expected birth has been publicly reported, but the baby’s arrival and name have not yet been confirmed.
Who Are Mike Jackson’s Parents?
Mike Jackson’s parents are LaShelle Jackson Spears and Michael Kerr. His family background is particularly interesting because his mother served in the United States Army, while his father played professional American football in Europe.
Mike Jackson’s Mother: LaShelle Jackson Spears
LaShelle Jackson Spears, sometimes identified publicly as LaShelle Spears, is Mike Jackson’s mother and a United States Army veteran.
Her military background is closely connected to Jackson’s early life in Germany, where he was born while his family was living abroad.
When Mike was a toddler, his mother moved him to Birmingham, Alabama, where he spent most of his childhood.
Although Jackson was born in Frankfurt, he considers Birmingham his hometown because it was where he grew up and developed his interest in American football.
LaShelle has continued supporting her son’s NFL career.
In April 2026, Charlotte television station WSOC-TV featured her in a story about her friendship with Lacreshia Horn, the mother of fellow Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.
The two mothers became friends after their sons developed a close relationship as teammates in Carolina.
The story demonstrated the personal relationships that have developed between the families of the Panthers’ defensive players.
Mike Jackson’s Father: Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr is Mike Jackson’s father and a former professional American football player.
According to the Carolina Panthers, Kerr played defensive end for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.
His football career in Germany is connected to Mike Jackson’s birthplace and international background.
Both Jackson’s parents are American, but their time in Germany meant he was born overseas and initially had connections to both countries.
Jackson explained in a November 2024 Panthers interview that German was his first language.
However, he moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in Alabama, where he pursued American football.
While Kerr’s professional playing background is documented, relatively little additional information about his personal life or present activities has been publicly confirmed.
Does Mike Jackson Have Brothers or Sisters?
Mike Jackson has not publicly shared enough verified information to establish the names and total number of his siblings.
Although his parents and children have appeared in interviews and official NFL reporting, details about his brothers and sisters remain limited.
As of now, reliable sports biographies do not provide a confirmed list of Mike Jackson’s siblings.
Therefore, it is not possible to accurately state whether he has a specific number of brothers or sisters.
Jackson has, however, spoken publicly about his extended family.
Mike Jackson’s Cousin: Jeremiah Tabb
One publicly identified member of Jackson’s extended family is Jeremiah Tabb, his younger cousin and a talented high school football player.
In July 2025, the Carolina Panthers published an article explaining how Jackson challenged Tabb, a wide receiver prospect from Hoover High School in Alabama, to competitive one-on-one football drills.
Jackson wanted to test his cousin’s receiving ability against the experience of an established NFL cornerback.
The friendly competition showed Jackson’s enthusiasm for helping younger members of his family develop as athletes.
Mike Jackson’s Childhood and Family Background
Mike Jackson’s upbringing was shaped by a combination of military life, international experiences and American football.
He was born in Frankfurt, Germany, but spent his formative years in Birmingham, Alabama.
At age 18, he had to make a decision regarding his citizenship. Jackson explained that he gave up his German citizenship when he went to college.
His childhood experiences contributed to his identity, and he has spoken positively about maintaining a connection with Germany.
In 2024, the Panthers recognized that heritage by placing a German flag sticker on his helmet.
Jackson’s journey eventually took him to the University of Miami, where he became a standout defensive back.
He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and subsequently spent time with several NFL organizations before establishing himself with the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.
How Has Mike Jackson’s Family Influenced His NFL Career?
Jackson has repeatedly identified his children as one of his greatest motivations for succeeding in professional football.
His NFL journey involved frequent moves between teams, creating challenges for family stability.
During a 2023 interview, Jackson explained that securing a consistent place on an NFL roster was important because it allowed him to remain with his children throughout the year.
His eventual success in Seattle and Carolina helped him establish greater stability for his family.
Beyond his immediate household, Jackson’s connections with his parents and younger relatives illustrate how football remains an important part of his family’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mike Jackson’s Family
Who is Mike Jackson’s wife?
Mike Jackson is married, according to official Carolina Panthers reporting. Reanna Payne was publicly identified as his romantic partner in 2023, but the available reports do not conclusively verify his wife’s name.
Does Mike Jackson have a girlfriend?
Jackson is married. His previously reported girlfriend was Reanna Payne, who appeared in a 2023 interview discussing his family life.
How many children does Mike Jackson have?
As of now, Mike Jackson has two children, Michael Jackson Jr. and Ryann, and is expecting a third child, a daughter.
Who is Mike Jackson’s mother?
His mother is LaShelle Jackson Spears, a United States Army veteran who raised him in Birmingham, Alabama.
Who is Mike Jackson’s father?
His father is Michael Kerr, a former defensive end who played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.
Does Mike Jackson have siblings?
The names and number of Mike Jackson’s brothers and sisters have not been reliably confirmed in publicly available reporting.
Where was Mike Jackson born?
Mike Jackson was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on January 10, 1997, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama.
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.
