Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Spencer Fano is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns who comes from a large, athletic family with strong Samoan roots. Born on November 4, 2004, in Spanish Fork, Utah, Fano grew up surrounded by relatives who played college and professional football. His father introduced him to competitive sports at an early age, while his siblings helped him develop the discipline and determination that eventually took him to the NFL.
Spencer Fano’s family includes his wife, Sami Goddard Fano, his father, Bingham Fano, his mother, Lori Fano, and five siblings, including Logan, Shalyn and Mataio Fano. He also has several relatives who played in the NFL, including former Carolina Panthers linebacker Spencer Reid, after whom he was named. Here is everything known about Spencer Fano’s wife, children, parents and siblings.
Spencer Fano’s Wife: Who Is Sami Goddard?
Spencer Fano is married to Sami Goddard, his longtime partner who supported him during his college football career at the University of Utah and his transition into the NFL.
Sami, also identified as Sami Sue in entertainment reporting, became publicly recognized during the 2026 NFL Draft when she celebrated Fano’s selection by the Cleveland Browns.
Although the couple has shared moments from their relationship through social media, detailed information about Sami’s childhood, educational background and professional career remains limited.
According to Sports Illustrated Lifestyle, Spencer and Sami celebrated their first anniversary as a couple in January 2026, indicating that their relationship began around January 2025.
During their time together, Sami supported Fano through his final college football season, including periods when he was dealing with illness and the demands of training.
Fano has publicly credited her with helping him remain motivated and comfortable during difficult moments.
When Did Spencer Fano and Sami Goddard Get Engaged?
Spencer Fano and Sami Goddard announced their engagement in March 2026, shortly before the NFL Draft.
According to Sports Illustrated Lifestyle, the couple became engaged after approximately one year of dating.
On March 31, 2026, they shared a social media post indicating that they were looking forward to July, suggesting that their wedding was already being planned.
The engagement attracted attention as Fano prepared for one of the most important moments of his football career.
During the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, Sami attended Fano’s celebration with his family and friends.
When the Cleveland Browns selected him with the ninth overall pick, Fano jumped onto a couch in excitement while those around him celebrated.
Sami was sitting nearby and moved out of the way before joining the celebration.
The moment was captured on video and circulated widely among football supporters.
When Did Spencer Fano Marry Sami Goddard?
Spencer Fano and Sami Goddard married in July 2026, shortly before he began his first NFL training camp with the Cleveland Browns.
Their marriage was confirmed in a September 4, 2026, interview published by BrownsZone and The Chronicle-Telegram.
During the interview, Fano described Sami as his wife and explained that they had been married for approximately two months.
The couple subsequently settled in the Cleveland area as he began his professional football career.
Fano explained that he enjoyed spending his free time with Sami, including watching movies and building Lego sets together.
He also expressed appreciation for how welcoming the Cleveland community had been since their arrival.
As of now, Sami Goddard Fano is Spencer Fano’s wife, rather than his girlfriend or fiancée.
How Sami Fano Supports Her Husband’s Football Career
Sami has been an important source of emotional support throughout Spencer’s transition from college football to the NFL.
During his introductory Cleveland Browns press conference on April 24, 2026, Fano spoke about her influence.
He explained that Sami helped care for him during periods when he was ill throughout his final season at Utah.
He also described her as one of the greatest sources of support in his life.
At the time, Fano’s parents were unable to attend the Cleveland press conference because they remained in Utah supporting his older brother, Logan, who was also participating in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sami accompanied Spencer to Cleveland, ensuring that he had family support during his first official appearance with the organization.
Spencer Fano’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, Spencer Fano has no publicly confirmed children. The Cleveland Browns offensive tackle and his wife, Sami, have not announced the birth or adoption of a son or daughter.
Although the couple married in July 2026, there is no reliable public information establishing that they have become parents.
Fano has occasionally discussed his marriage and family relationships in interviews, but he has not publicly announced plans concerning children.
For now, the couple appears focused on their newly established marriage and adjusting to life in Cleveland.
Any future developments concerning fatherhood would require confirmation from Fano, his wife or reliable reporting.
Spencer Fano’s Parents: Meet Bingham and Lori Fano
Spencer Fano was born to Bingham Fano and Lori Fano, who raised six children in Utah.
Both parents have played significant roles in his athletic development, particularly because competitive sports have been a longstanding tradition within their extended family.
His father has a background in college football and business, while his mother has provided encouragement and support throughout his childhood and professional career.
Spencer Fano’s Father: Bingham Fano
Bingham Fano is Spencer Fano’s father and one of the most influential people in his athletic development.
Originally from American Samoa, Bingham grew up surrounded by relatives who shared a passion for football.
He later moved to the United States and played college football at Snow College in Utah, where he competed as a quarterback and safety.
Although Bingham did not establish a career in the NFL, his athletic background helped shape the sporting interests of his children.
According to a September 2026 interview with BrownsZone, Bingham introduced structured athletic training to his children when they were very young.
Spencer recalled that his father required him and his siblings to complete footwork drills using agility ladders before playing with friends or video games.
He began performing these exercises at approximately six years old.
The workouts typically lasted around 30 minutes and were treated as an essential part of the children’s daily routine.
Although Spencer sometimes disliked the strict training schedule, he later recognized how important those exercises had been in developing his coordination and quickness.
The training became particularly valuable as he grew into an offensive lineman standing approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall.
Bingham Fano’s Education and Professional Career
In addition to his athletic background, Bingham Fano pursued a career in business.
According to BrownsZone, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University.
His professional activities have included managing mobile home properties.
Spencer has publicly expressed admiration for his father’s educational achievements and professional accomplishments.
Bingham’s combination of academic success, business experience and athletic discipline helped establish a family environment where his children were encouraged to pursue ambitious goals.
His influence extended beyond football, emphasizing the importance of hard work and responsibility.
How Bingham Fano Influenced Spencer’s NFL Career
Bingham recognized his son’s athletic potential during childhood.
Spencer began playing organized tackle football while attending kindergarten and sometimes competed against older children because of his size.
His father encouraged him to develop coordination, speed and strength rather than relying exclusively on his physical advantages.
During his early football years, Spencer often played running back before eventually moving to the offensive line in high school.
The footwork drills established by Bingham became particularly beneficial when Spencer transitioned to offensive tackle.
In September 2026, Spencer explained that he would not have developed into the same athlete without his father’s insistence on consistent training.
Bingham also supported both Spencer and Logan during their college football careers at Utah.
When the brothers declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he celebrated the achievement as another important milestone for the family.
Spencer Fano’s Mother: Lori Fano
Lori Fano is Spencer Fano’s mother and another central figure in his upbringing.
She raised six children alongside Bingham Fano and supported their participation in athletics and education.
Her name is confirmed in the official University of Utah football biographies of Spencer and Logan.
Although details about Lori’s professional career remain relatively private, her involvement in her children’s lives has been documented in interviews.
During childhood, she helped manage the family’s routines while Bingham emphasized structured athletic training.
Spencer recalled that he and Logan occasionally negotiated with their mother to avoid completing their daily agility-ladder exercises.
At times, Lori would tell Bingham that the boys had completed their workouts even when they had not.
The anecdote illustrates the affectionate relationship between Spencer, his brother and their mother.
Lori has remained a source of support throughout Spencer’s transition from high school to college football and eventually the NFL.
During his April 2026 Browns introductory press conference, Spencer publicly thanked both parents for the sacrifices they made while raising him.
He credited their willingness to support his ambitions with helping him achieve his childhood dream of playing professional football.
Spencer Fano’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers and Sister
Spencer Fano has five siblings: four brothers and one sister. He is one of six children raised by Bingham and Lori Fano.
Three of his siblings are publicly identified in official football reporting: his older brother Logan Fano, his sister Shalyn Fano and his younger brother Mataio Fano.
The names and personal backgrounds of his remaining two brothers have not been consistently established in reliable public sources.
Logan Fano: Spencer Fano’s Older Brother
Logan Fano is Spencer Fano’s older brother and a professional football defensive end who also attended the University of Utah.
Born in June 2002, Logan grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah, and developed into a highly regarded defensive player at Timpview High School.
He was a four-star recruit who attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs.
Logan initially committed to Brigham Young University, commonly known as BYU, before beginning his college football career.
However, knee injuries interrupted his progress and prevented him from playing a regular-season game for the Cougars.
In December 2022, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and subsequently joined the University of Utah.
His decision allowed him to reunite with Spencer, who had committed to the Utes.
The brothers became teammates and helped strengthen Utah’s football program.
Logan primarily played defensive end, while Spencer developed into one of the nation’s leading offensive tackles.
During their college careers, the brothers frequently trained together and competed against each other during practices.
How Spencer and Logan Fano Reached the NFL Together
Spencer and Logan Fano shared a childhood ambition of reaching the NFL.
In an October 2024 interview published by Utah Athletics, Logan explained that both brothers wanted to become professional football players.
He also emphasized that they held each other accountable during training and worked toward their goals together.
Following the 2025 college football season, they announced their decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
On April 23, 2026, the Cleveland Browns selected Spencer with the ninth overall pick.
Logan was not selected during the draft but subsequently signed with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent.
For the first time in their professional careers, the brothers joined the same NFL organization.
Logan later became part of the Browns’ practice squad, while Spencer established himself as a starting offensive tackle.
Their journey represented the continuation of a family football tradition that began generations earlier.
Shalyn Fano: Spencer Fano’s Sister
Shalyn Fano, also known as Shay Fano, is Spencer Fano’s sister and a former college basketball player.
She grew up in the same athletic household and pursued basketball rather than American football.
According to the Cleveland Browns, Shalyn played college basketball at Southern Utah University during the 2019-20 season.
She subsequently transferred to Utah Valley University, where she competed from 2020 through 2023.
Her college basketball career continued at Grand Canyon University during the 2023-24 season.
Shalyn’s achievements demonstrated that sporting ability extended beyond football within the Fano family.
Although she has maintained a lower public profile than her brothers, her basketball career is documented through university athletics records.
Mataio Fano: Spencer Fano’s Younger Brother
Mataio Fano is Spencer Fano’s younger brother and another promising football player in the family.
Like Spencer and Logan, Mataio developed an interest in competitive football while growing up in Utah.
According to an April 2026 Cleveland Browns profile, Mataio was a four-star offensive tackle prospect in the 2028 recruiting class.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from college football programs while he was still attending high school.
Mataio’s development reflects the athletic influence of his father and older brothers.
Growing up alongside two future NFL players provided him with examples of the discipline and training required to compete at a high level.
Although his college football destination remains subject to his recruiting decisions, Mataio represents another generation of the Fano family’s sporting tradition.
Spencer Fano’s Other Two Brothers
Spencer Fano has two additional brothers whose names have not been consistently documented in major public sports biographies.
The Cleveland Browns confirmed that Spencer is one of six children and has four brothers and one sister.
However, the team’s family profile specifically named Logan, Mataio and Shalyn without identifying the remaining brothers.
Consequently, details about their ages, education, careers and personal relationships remain private.
What is publicly documented is that the Fano children grew up in an athletic environment where their father encouraged regular physical training.
Spencer Fano’s Uncles: A Family With NFL History
Spencer Fano’s extended family includes several former NFL players, making his background particularly notable within professional football.
According to official University of Utah and Cleveland Browns biographies, four of his uncles played in the NFL: Spencer Reid, Gabe Reid, Anton Palepoi and Tenny Palepoi.
The family connections have roots in American Samoa, where several relatives grew up together before moving to the United States.
Spencer Reid: The NFL Player Spencer Fano Was Named After
Spencer Reid is a former NFL linebacker and an important member of the Fano family’s football history.
He played college football at BYU before joining the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 1998.
Reid also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts during his professional career.
According to reporting published by the Deseret News in November 2024, Bingham Fano grew up alongside Spencer Reid in American Samoa.
Although they were cousins, their relationship was so close that they considered each other brothers.
Bingham later named his son Spencer in honor of Reid.
The name reflects the important connection between the Fano and Reid families.
Gabe Reid, Anton Palepoi and Tenny Palepoi
Gabe Reid is another former NFL player connected to the Fano family.
He played college football at BYU and later spent time with the Chicago Bears.
Anton Palepoi played college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, before entering the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks selected him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He subsequently played for Seattle and the Denver Broncos.
Tenny Palepoi played college football at the University of Utah before pursuing a professional career that included time with the San Diego Chargers.
These relatives helped establish a family tradition of football achievement that inspired Spencer and his brothers.
Karene Reid: Spencer Fano’s Cousin
Karene Reid is Spencer Fano’s cousin and another professional football player from the family’s extended network.
He played linebacker at the University of Utah, where he became an important defensive contributor.
Karene is the son of former NFL linebacker Spencer Reid, after whom Spencer Fano was named.
During the 2023 and 2024 college football seasons, Karene played alongside Spencer and Logan Fano at Utah.
Their participation in the same program highlighted the close connections between the Fano and Reid families.
Karene subsequently entered the NFL, signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
His career continued the family’s longstanding association with professional football.
Spencer Fano’s Samoan Family Heritage
Spencer Fano comes from a family with strong Samoan heritage.
His father, Bingham, grew up in American Samoa alongside relatives who eventually pursued college and professional football careers.
The family’s sporting traditions developed through generations of relatives who encouraged athletic participation and maintained close personal relationships.
During his time at the University of Utah, Spencer became recognized as one of college football’s leading Polynesian athletes.
In 2025, he received the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, sharing the honor with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
The award recognized his performances and contribution to college football.
His Samoan heritage remains an important part of his identity and family history.
How Spencer Fano’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Spencer Fano’s football journey began in Spanish Fork, Utah, where he spent his childhood playing organized sports alongside his siblings.
His father’s structured training programs helped develop his athletic coordination from an early age.
He attended Timpview High School in Provo, where he initially hoped to play defensive line.
However, coaches recognized his potential as an offensive lineman, and he eventually transitioned to offensive tackle.
His performances attracted interest from major college football programs, including Michigan, Oregon, Clemson and Utah.
In December 2022, Fano committed to the University of Utah.
He later explained that family considerations, religious faith and his confidence in the coaching staff influenced his decision.
Fano became a starter during his freshman season in 2023, playing primarily at left tackle.
In 2024, he moved to right tackle and earned First-Team All-Big 12 recognition.
His greatest college success came during the 2025 season, when he became a unanimous First-Team All-American and won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s outstanding interior lineman.
He also earned Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year recognition.
Following the season, Fano entered the 2026 NFL Draft alongside his older brother Logan.
The Cleveland Browns selected him with the ninth overall pick, making him one of the highest-drafted offensive linemen in University of Utah history.
His selection fulfilled a childhood ambition shaped by the support of his parents, siblings and extended family.
Spencer Fano’s Marriage and Life in Cleveland
After entering the NFL, Spencer Fano began adjusting to professional football while also starting his married life with Sami.
The couple married during the summer of 2026 and relocated to the Cleveland area.
In his September 2026 BrownsZone interview, Fano explained that they had quickly become comfortable in their new surroundings.
He also described enjoying ordinary activities with his wife during his limited free time.
Although his football responsibilities require significant dedication, Fano has emphasized the importance of spending time with Sami when he is away from the team’s training facility.
His appreciation for family reflects the values emphasized by Bingham and Lori throughout his childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spencer Fano’s Family
Who is Spencer Fano’s wife?
Spencer Fano’s wife is Sami Goddard Fano, whom he married in July 2026. She supported him throughout his final season at Utah and his transition to the Cleveland Browns.
When did Spencer Fano get married?
Spencer Fano married Sami Goddard in July 2026, shortly before beginning his first NFL training camp.
Who was Spencer Fano’s girlfriend?
Spencer Fano previously dated Sami Goddard, also identified as Sami Sue in reporting about the 2026 NFL Draft. They became engaged in March 2026 and married later that summer.
Does Spencer Fano have any children?
As of now, Spencer Fano has no publicly confirmed children. He and his wife have not announced having a son or daughter.
Who is Spencer Fano’s father?
His father is Bingham Fano, a former Snow College football player who earned an MBA from Harvard University and has worked in property management.
Who is Spencer Fano’s mother?
His mother is Lori Fano, who raised Spencer and his five siblings alongside Bingham Fano.
How many siblings does Spencer Fano have?
Spencer Fano has five siblings: four brothers and one sister. Three are publicly identified as Logan, Mataio and Shalyn Fano.
Who is Spencer Fano’s older brother?
His older brother is Logan Fano, a defensive end who played college football at Utah and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
Who is Spencer Fano’s sister?
His sister is Shalyn Fano, also known as Shay, a former college basketball player who competed at Southern Utah, Utah Valley and Grand Canyon University.
Who is Spencer Fano’s younger brother?
Mataio Fano is one of Spencer’s younger brothers and a highly regarded offensive tackle recruit in the 2028 college football recruiting class.
Is Spencer Fano related to Spencer Reid?
Yes. Spencer Fano is named after former NFL linebacker Spencer Reid, who grew up alongside Fano’s father, Bingham, in American Samoa.
What is Spencer Fano’s ethnicity?
Spencer Fano is of Samoan descent. His father grew up in American Samoa, and his extended family has strong Polynesian cultural and sporting connections.
Where was Spencer Fano born?
Spencer Fano was born on November 4, 2004, in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Which college did Spencer Fano attend?
Spencer Fano attended the University of Utah, where he played football from 2023 through 2025 and won the 2025 Outland Trophy.
Which NFL team does Spencer Fano play for?
As of now, Spencer Fano plays for the Cleveland Browns, who selected him with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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.
