Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Riley Nowakowski’s family includes his adoptive parents, Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski, and his older sister, Anastasia “Anna” Nowakowski. Born on June 30, 2002, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Riley is an American professional football fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). His family’s story has attracted attention because both he and his sister were adopted as children.
Before joining the Steelers, Nowakowski played college football at the University of Wisconsin and Indiana University, helping the Indiana Hoosiers win the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2026.
Although his professional football career has brought him national recognition, Nowakowski has frequently credited his parents for providing the encouragement, opportunities, and emotional support that helped him achieve his childhood dreams.
Here is everything publicly known about Riley Nowakowski’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings, including his adoption story and the family’s influence on his football career.
Riley Nowakowski’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Riley Nowakowski has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend or romantic partner. The Pittsburgh Steelers fullback has maintained a relatively private personal life, with most of his public appearances and interviews focusing on his football career, education, and family background.
Unlike some NFL players who regularly share photographs with romantic partners on social media, Nowakowski has not made any widely documented announcement identifying a current girlfriend.
There are also no reliable mainstream sports reports establishing a previous high-profile romantic relationship.
However, this does not necessarily mean that Nowakowski is single. He may prefer to keep his dating life away from public attention.
Is Riley Nowakowski Married?
As of now, Riley Nowakowski has no publicly confirmed wife. The NFL player has not announced a marriage or wedding through official statements or widely documented interviews.
His official college football biographies and Pittsburgh Steelers player information do not identify a spouse.
Therefore, his marital status remains publicly unconfirmed rather than definitively established as single.
Riley Nowakowski’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Riley Nowakowski has no publicly confirmed children. The Pittsburgh Steelers fullback has not announced the birth or adoption of a son or daughter.
His official NFL and university biographies do not identify any children, and reliable reporting has not established that he is a father.
Although Nowakowski has discussed his own experiences growing up in an adoptive family, he has not publicly revealed whether he plans to have children in the future.
For now, information about his potential parenthood remains private.
Riley Nowakowski’s Parents: Meet Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski
Riley Nowakowski’s parents are Scott Nowakowski and Rhonda Nowakowski, who adopted him as a baby and raised him in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin.
The couple also adopted Riley’s older sister, Anastasia, approximately two years before welcoming him into their family.
Their adoption story became widely known following an April 2026 interview with WISN 12 News in Milwaukee, which explored the family’s journey and Riley’s development into an NFL prospect.
Both Scott and Rhonda attended the University of Wisconsin, where Riley would later begin his college football career.
Riley Nowakowski’s Father: Scott Nowakowski
Scott Nowakowski is Riley Nowakowski’s adoptive father and one of his most important supporters.
Scott and his wife, Rhonda, decided to become adoptive parents after learning that having biological children would not be possible for them.
The couple first adopted their daughter, Anastasia, before welcoming Riley into the family approximately two years later.
In an April 2026 interview with WISN 12 News, Scott recalled meeting Riley as a baby and feeling an immediate desire to welcome him into their home.
Scott described the decision as an opportunity to expand their family and give Riley a loving, supportive environment.
As Riley grew older, Scott encouraged his interests in sports and education.
His father also played an important role in developing his discipline and academic responsibilities.
During an interview discussed by Steelers Depot in May 2026, Riley recalled speaking with his father after winning the national championship with Indiana.
Although Riley was excited about his football achievements and wanted to enjoy the moment, Scott reminded him that completing his academic responsibilities was still important.
The story demonstrated how his father continued emphasizing education even after Riley achieved one of the biggest milestones in college football.
Scott also attended important games throughout his son’s college career.
After Indiana won the national championship in January 2026, Scott publicly expressed his excitement about watching Riley contribute to the historic victory.
Although detailed information about Scott’s profession remains limited, his support for his son’s academic and athletic development has been extensively documented.
Riley Nowakowski’s Mother: Rhonda Nowakowski
Rhonda Nowakowski is Riley Nowakowski’s adoptive mother and another central figure in his upbringing.
Rhonda and Scott built their family through adoption after experiencing difficulties having biological children.
According to reporting published by WISN 12 and Steelers Depot, the couple first adopted Anastasia before adopting Riley as an infant.
Rhonda helped create a supportive home environment where both children were encouraged to pursue their interests.
Her involvement became particularly important as Riley began developing his athletic abilities during childhood.
Growing up in Milwaukee, he participated in several sports before becoming an outstanding football player at Marquette University High School.
Rhonda supported his decision to attend the University of Wisconsin, a school both parents had previously attended.
In a January 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, Riley explained that his mother was excited when he informed her he had decided to join the Wisconsin football program as a preferred walk-on.
He noted that both parents were enthusiastic about his decision because of their own connections to the university.
However, he also emphasized that his parents would have supported him regardless of which college he selected.
In April 2026, Rhonda participated in a WISN 12 interview discussing the family’s adoption journey.
She emphasized that families can take many different forms and that love and encouragement are among the most important elements of raising children.
Her comments reflected the supportive environment that helped Riley become a successful student-athlete.
Was Riley Nowakowski Adopted?
Yes, Riley Nowakowski was adopted as a baby by Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski. His adoption story was publicly documented in an April 2026 WISN 12 News interview.
Before adopting Riley, Scott and Rhonda had already welcomed their daughter, Anastasia, through adoption.
Approximately two years later, they adopted Riley, completing their family of four.
Riley has spoken openly about some of the challenges he experienced while growing up as an adopted child.
Because his physical appearance differed from that of his adoptive parents and sister, he sometimes felt different from other members of his household.
In his WISN interview, Riley explained that these differences occasionally made acceptance and self-confidence challenging during childhood.
However, he credited his parents with providing consistent support and helping him develop a positive sense of identity.
Sports also became an important part of his childhood, giving him opportunities to build confidence, friendships, and discipline.
Looking back on his upbringing, Riley expressed appreciation for his parents’ decision to adopt him and encourage his athletic ambitions.
Who Are Riley Nowakowski’s Biological Parents?
The identities of Riley Nowakowski’s biological parents have not been reliably established in mainstream sports reporting.
Although Riley has spoken publicly about being adopted, he has not widely disclosed detailed biographical information about his biological mother or father.
His WISN 12 interview primarily focused on his relationship with Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski, the parents who raised him.
Consequently, identifying specific people as his biological parents without verified public confirmation would be inappropriate.
Riley Nowakowski’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Anastasia Nowakowski
Riley Nowakowski has one publicly confirmed sibling, his older sister Anastasia “Anna” Nowakowski.
Like Riley, Anastasia was adopted by Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski.
She joined the family approximately two years before Riley, making her the eldest of the two children.
Anastasia “Anna” Nowakowski: Riley’s Older Sister
Anastasia Nowakowski, commonly known as Anna, is Riley Nowakowski’s older sister.
According to the April 2026 WISN 12 family profile, Scott and Rhonda adopted Anastasia before welcoming Riley into their home.
The siblings grew up together in the Milwaukee area, surrounded by a family that encouraged education, athletics, and personal development.
Anastasia also attended the University of Wisconsin, according to reporting published by Sports Illustrated in January 2020.
Her connection to the university helped strengthen the family’s enthusiasm when Riley decided to join the Wisconsin Badgers football program.
Although Anna has been publicly identified as Riley’s sister, she has generally maintained a private personal life.
As of now, reliable information about her profession, relationship status, and other personal details remains limited.
Does Riley Nowakowski Have a Brother?
There is no reliable public information identifying a brother of Riley Nowakowski.
Interviews discussing his family consistently identify his parents, Scott and Rhonda, and his older sister, Anastasia.
His publicly documented household consisted of four members.
However, information about any additional biological relatives remains private.
How Riley Nowakowski’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Riley Nowakowski’s journey to professional football began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his parents encouraged his participation in sports.
He attended Marquette University High School, becoming an outstanding football player and earning recognition as one of Wisconsin’s leading defensive prospects.
During his senior season in 2019, he recorded 126 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
He also contributed offensively as a running back and demonstrated his athletic abilities on special teams.
His performances earned him the John Anderson Award, recognizing Wisconsin’s top senior high school linebacker.
Despite attracting interest from several college football programs, Nowakowski chose to join the University of Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on in 2020.
The decision was particularly meaningful because both his parents and older sister had attended the university.
During his early college years, Nowakowski played linebacker before transitioning to fullback and eventually tight end.
His willingness to change positions helped him earn additional opportunities within the Wisconsin program.
In 2023, he received a scholarship after several seasons as a walk-on.
Nowakowski completed his undergraduate education at Wisconsin, earning a degree in industrial engineering.
After five seasons with the Badgers, he transferred to Indiana University for the 2025 season.
His final college season became the most successful of his career.
Nowakowski started all 16 games for Indiana, recording 32 receptions for 387 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
He also scored two rushing touchdowns, including one in the national championship game against Miami.
Indiana finished the season undefeated at 16-0 and captured the first national championship in program history.
Nowakowski earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition from conference media for his performances.
Throughout his college career, he maintained strong academic standards, earning multiple Academic All-Big Ten honors.
His dedication to academics reflected the values emphasized by Scott and Rhonda throughout his upbringing.
Riley Nowakowski’s Family Celebrated His NFL Draft Selection
On April 25, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round of the NFL Draft with the 169th overall pick.
His selection marked the fulfillment of a childhood dream and represented a significant moment for the entire Nowakowski family.
According to the Steelers’ official website, Riley was surrounded by family and friends when he received news of his selection.
He described the occasion as emotional because of the years of effort and support that had contributed to his achievement.
For Scott and Rhonda, seeing their son reach the NFL was the culmination of a journey that began when they adopted him as a baby.
The Steelers officially signed Nowakowski to a four-year rookie contract on May 9, 2026.
His ability to contribute as a fullback, tight end, and special teams player made him a valuable addition to Pittsburgh’s roster.
His family continued supporting him as he transitioned from college football to professional competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Riley Nowakowski’s Family
Who is Riley Nowakowski’s girlfriend?
As of now, Riley Nowakowski has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Riley Nowakowski married?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Riley Nowakowski is married. The Pittsburgh Steelers fullback has not announced having a wife.
Does Riley Nowakowski have children?
As of now, Riley Nowakowski has no publicly confirmed biological or adopted children.
Who are Riley Nowakowski’s parents?
Riley Nowakowski’s parents are Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski. They adopted him as a baby and raised him in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
Who is Riley Nowakowski’s father?
His adoptive father is Scott Nowakowski, a University of Wisconsin graduate who has supported Riley throughout his academic and football career.
Who is Riley Nowakowski’s mother?
His adoptive mother is Rhonda Nowakowski. She helped raise Riley and his older sister, Anastasia, and has publicly discussed the family’s adoption story.
Was Riley Nowakowski adopted?
Yes. Scott and Rhonda Nowakowski adopted Riley as an infant, approximately two years after adopting their daughter Anastasia.
Who is Riley Nowakowski’s sister?
His older sister is Anastasia “Anna” Nowakowski. She was also adopted by Scott and Rhonda and attended the University of Wisconsin.
Does Riley Nowakowski have a brother?
No brother has been publicly identified in reliable family interviews. His only publicly confirmed sibling is his older sister, Anastasia.
Where is Riley Nowakowski’s family from?
Riley Nowakowski grew up with his family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended Marquette University High School.
How old is Riley Nowakowski?
Riley Nowakowski was born on June 30, 2002, making him 24 years old in 2026.
What NFL team does Riley Nowakowski play for?
Riley Nowakowski plays fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
