Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Rex Sunahara is an American professional football player who plays as a long snapper for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 9, 1996, in Ohio, Sunahara comes from a sports-oriented family that has played an important role in his development as an athlete.
While Rex Sunahara keeps many details of his personal life private, information about his parents, siblings and romantic relationship has emerged through official university biographies, interviews and media coverage. His father, Reed Sunahara, is a longtime collegiate volleyball coach, while his younger brother, RJ Sunahara, has pursued a career in basketball.
Rex Sunahara’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Rex Sunahara has publicly acknowledged having a girlfriend, although he has not widely disclosed her identity or shared extensive information about their relationship.
In an October 2024 interview published by the Cleveland Browns, Sunahara mentioned that his girlfriend was excited about his opportunity to play for his hometown NFL team. He also discussed his relationship during a December 2024 appearance on The Playbook podcast, explaining that the unpredictable nature of professional football sometimes made planning activities together difficult.
These comments confirm that Sunahara was in a relationship during that period. However, as of now, there is insufficient verified public information to establish whether he remains with the same partner or has married.
Does Rex Sunahara Have Children?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Rex Sunahara has children.
The Cleveland Browns long snapper has not publicly announced becoming a father in the available interviews and official biographical records. Consequently, details about any possible sons or daughters remain unconfirmed.
Sunahara has generally focused his public appearances on his football career, professional challenges and the support he receives from his family.
Rex Sunahara’s Parents
Rex Sunahara was born to Reed Sunahara and Laura Sunahara, both of whom have backgrounds in collegiate athletics. His parents helped introduce him to competitive sports and supported his ambitions throughout his childhood.
Rex Sunahara’s Father: Reed Sunahara
Rex Sunahara’s father is Reed Sunahara, an accomplished American volleyball coach and former collegiate volleyball player originally from Hilo, Hawaii.
Reed played volleyball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned All-American recognition and was part of three national championship teams. He subsequently established a coaching career that included positions at the University of Cincinnati, the University at Buffalo and West Virginia University.
His coaching career sometimes required him to live away from his children. According to a 2018 WV MetroNews interview, Rex and his younger brother eventually spent more time with their father while pursuing their athletic careers in West Virginia.
Reed has spoken proudly about his sons’ sporting achievements. His involvement in collegiate athletics also provided Rex with an understanding of the dedication and preparation required to succeed in competitive sports.
Rex Sunahara’s Mother: Laura Sunahara
Rex Sunahara’s mother is Laura Sunahara, formerly Laura Rekstis, who also has a sporting background.
According to historical University of Cincinnati athletics records, Laura played collegiate volleyball for the Cincinnati Bearcats between 1983 and 1986.
Following her divorce from Reed, Laura played an important role in raising Rex and his siblings in the Cleveland area. Rex has spoken about living with his mother and other relatives while attending school and participating in football, basketball and baseball.
In an interview following his promotion to the Browns’ active roster in 2024, Rex described the excitement among his family members, including his mother and grandmother, when he received the opportunity to represent his hometown NFL franchise.
His mother has remained an important source of encouragement throughout his journey in professional football.
Rex Sunahara’s Siblings
Rex Sunahara has two publicly identified siblings: a younger brother, RJ Sunahara, and a younger sister, Mia Sunahara. Their names are confirmed in official West Virginia University and University of Cincinnati athletics biographies.
RJ Sunahara: Rex Sunahara’s Younger Brother
RJ Sunahara, whose full name is Reed Sunahara Jr., is Rex Sunahara’s younger brother. Born on May 23, 2000, RJ followed his family’s sporting tradition by pursuing competitive basketball.
RJ attended Bay High School in Ohio before continuing his basketball career at the collegiate level. He played for Fairmont State, Nova Southeastern University and the University of Georgia.
During his time at Nova Southeastern, RJ developed into an accomplished NCAA Division II basketball player. He helped the Sharks capture the 2023 national championship and received major individual honors, including the NABC Division II Player of the Year award.
Following his playing career, RJ moved into basketball coaching, joining Nova Southeastern’s coaching staff.
Although the brothers pursued different sports, they share a family background shaped by collegiate athletics and the influence of their father.
Mia Sunahara: Rex Sunahara’s Younger Sister
Mia Sunahara is Rex Sunahara’s younger sister and the daughter of Reed and Laura Sunahara.
Her identity is confirmed in official university athletics records, including Reed Sunahara’s coaching biography at West Virginia University.
Unlike her brothers, Mia has maintained a relatively private public profile, and reliable information about her education, professional activities and personal life is limited.
During a 2024 podcast interview, Rex discussed the difficulty of missing his sister’s wedding because of a professional football opportunity. He explained that his family understood the importance of his career, even when it meant missing significant family occasions.
How Rex Sunahara’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Rex Sunahara’s upbringing was closely connected to sports. Both of his parents had collegiate volleyball backgrounds, while his younger brother developed his career in basketball.
Despite his family’s volleyball connections, Rex pursued football from an early age. He participated in football, basketball and baseball at Bay High School before attending the University of Rhode Island and subsequently transferring to West Virginia University.
His decision to specialize as a long snapper eventually helped him pursue professional football opportunities with organizations including the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Antonio Brahmas and Cleveland Browns.
In October 2024, he made his NFL regular-season debut for Cleveland, representing the team he had supported while growing up in Northeast Ohio.
His family members celebrated that achievement, which followed years of preparation, uncertainty and persistence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rex Sunahara’s Family
Who is Rex Sunahara’s girlfriend?
Rex Sunahara publicly mentioned having a girlfriend in 2024, but her identity has not been reliably established. His current relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Is Rex Sunahara married?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Rex Sunahara is married.
Does Rex Sunahara have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Rex Sunahara has any children.
Who is Rex Sunahara’s father?
His father is Reed Sunahara, a former UCLA volleyball player and longtime collegiate volleyball coach.
Who is Rex Sunahara’s mother?
His mother is Laura Sunahara, formerly Laura Rekstis, who played collegiate volleyball at the University of Cincinnati.
Does Rex Sunahara have siblings?
Yes. Rex Sunahara has a younger brother named RJ Sunahara and a younger sister named Mia Sunahara.
Is RJ Sunahara related to Rex Sunahara?
Yes. RJ Sunahara is Rex Sunahara’s younger brother. He played collegiate basketball for Nova Southeastern and Georgia before entering coaching.
Where is Rex Sunahara’s family from?
Rex grew up in Bay Village, Ohio, near Cleveland. His father, Reed Sunahara, originally comes from Hilo, Hawaii, and the family has Japanese heritage through his father’s side.
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.
