Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Starling Thomas V’s family has played an important role in his journey from Birmingham, Alabama, to the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals cornerback is the son of Starling Thomas IV and the late Stephanie Williams, whose battle with breast cancer profoundly influenced his life and football career.
Born on January 25, 2000, Starling Thomas V grew up in Birmingham alongside his two siblings, Kameron Thomas and Kalyn Williams. His family’s encouragement helped him develop into a college football standout at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Although Thomas has spoken openly about his late mother and the motivation he draws from her memory, he has shared relatively little information about his romantic relationships and possible children.
Here is everything publicly known about Starling Thomas V’s wife or girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and family background.
Starling Thomas V’s Wife or Girlfriend: Is He Married?
Starling Thomas V has not publicly confirmed a wife or girlfriend through reliable interviews or official NFL biographical information.
As of now, his marital status and current romantic relationship status have not been independently established through trustworthy public sources.
Although Thomas has attracted national attention through his football performances with the Arizona Cardinals, he has maintained considerable privacy regarding his dating life.
His public interviews have primarily focused on his football career, childhood experiences, recovery from injuries and his relationship with his late mother.
In October 2023, a sports biography website reported that Thomas had not publicly announced a romantic relationship. However, that report did not provide sufficient evidence to establish whether he was single or dating someone.
There is also no reliable public confirmation identifying a spouse, fiancée or long-term romantic partner.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to identify any particular person as Starling Thomas V’s wife or girlfriend without additional evidence.
Starling Thomas V’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Starling Thomas V has children.
His official Arizona Cardinals player biography and UAB football profile do not identify any sons or daughters.
Likewise, reliable interviews reviewed for this article have not established that he is a father.
However, the absence of public information does not necessarily mean Thomas has no children. It simply means his parental status has not been confirmed through reliable reporting.
For now, details about possible children remain private.
Starling Thomas V’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Starling Thomas V’s parents are Starling Thomas IV and Stephanie Williams, according to UAB’s official athletics records.
His father’s first name also appears as Starlin in the university’s 2022 player biography, while an earlier UAB media guide lists him as Starling Thomas IV.
His mother, Stephanie Williams, passed away from breast cancer in November 2018 while Thomas was playing his freshman season at UAB.
Her death became one of the most significant experiences of his life.
Starling Thomas V’s Father: Starling Thomas IV
Starling Thomas IV is the father of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V.
His identity is documented in UAB’s official football records, although the spelling of his first name differs slightly between university publications.
The family’s naming tradition is reflected in the Roman numeral V used by the NFL player, indicating the fifth generation associated with the name Starling Thomas.
Unlike his son, Starling Thomas IV has maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable sports publications have not extensively documented his occupation, education, athletic background or current professional activities.
Although his name appears in official university biographies, details about his involvement in Thomas’ childhood football development are limited.
Therefore, additional claims about his personal life or professional career cannot be reliably established from the available sources.
Starling Thomas V’s Mother: Stephanie Williams
Stephanie Williams was Starling Thomas V’s mother and one of the most influential people in his life.
She supported his football ambitions throughout childhood and remained emotionally connected to his athletic career during her battle with breast cancer.
According to a July 31, 2024, interview published by the Arizona Cardinals, Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer during Thomas’ senior year of high school.
Doctors initially estimated that she had approximately six months to live, but she survived for around a year and a half after receiving her prognosis.
Her determination during treatment became an important example of perseverance for her son.
Unfortunately, Stephanie died in November 2018, while Thomas was competing during his first college football season.
How Did Starling Thomas V’s Mother Die?
Starling Thomas V’s mother died after battling breast cancer in 2018.
The circumstances surrounding her death were especially painful because Thomas received the news immediately after playing one of the most memorable games of his early college career.
On November 17, 2018, UAB traveled to College Station, Texas, to face Texas A&M.
Thomas was a freshman cornerback for the Blazers and delivered a performance that left him feeling encouraged about his development.
However, as he walked off the field after the game, someone pulled him aside and informed him that his mother had died during the contest.
In his July 2024 interview with the Arizona Cardinals, Thomas recalled being overwhelmed with emotion because he had seen Stephanie shortly before traveling with the team.
He explained that he had told his mother he would return to see her after the game.
Receiving the devastating news while still at the stadium was an experience that remained with him throughout his subsequent football career.
Despite the loss, Thomas found some comfort in knowing that he had been participating in a sport his mother loved watching him play.
How Stephanie Williams Continues to Inspire Her Son
Starling Thomas V has frequently credited his late mother with providing motivation during difficult periods of his football career.
In the Cardinals’ 2024 interview, he explained that remembering Stephanie helped him continue fighting for opportunities despite setbacks.
He associated his determination with the resilience his mother demonstrated during her cancer treatment.
That mentality became particularly important when Thomas experienced injuries and uncertainty about his professional future.
In March 2025, the Arizona Cardinals released a special video feature titled “Starling Thomas V Carries Late Mother’s Memory With Him.”
During the feature, Thomas reflected on his mother’s death and described how her memory continued shaping his professional football journey.
Her influence remains an important part of his personal story, extending beyond his accomplishments on the field.
Starling Thomas V’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Starling Thomas V has two siblings, Kameron Thomas and Kalyn Williams.
Both names are confirmed in his official University of Alabama at Birmingham football biography.
Although his mother and his college football journey have been extensively discussed in sports reporting, the personal backgrounds of his siblings have received much less media attention.
Kameron Thomas: Starling Thomas V’s Sibling
Kameron Thomas is one of Starling Thomas V’s two publicly identified siblings.
The name appears in UAB’s official player biography, alongside the names of Thomas’ parents and his other sibling.
However, the university’s records do not provide extensive information about Kameron’s education, occupation, age or personal life.
There is also insufficient authoritative reporting to establish whether Kameron pursued organized sports or a professional athletic career.
As of now, Kameron maintains a relatively private public profile.
Kalyn Williams: Starling Thomas V’s Sibling
Kalyn Williams is Starling Thomas V’s other publicly identified sibling.
Kalyn’s name is documented in his UAB football biography, independently confirming the family connection.
Unlike Starling, whose professional football career has attracted national attention, Kalyn has not been extensively featured in major sports publications.
Reliable public sources have not established detailed information about Kalyn’s education, professional career or personal relationships.
Consequently, further personal details remain unconfirmed.
How Many Siblings Does Starling Thomas V Have?
According to UAB’s official football biography, Starling Thomas V has two siblings: Kameron Thomas and Kalyn Williams.
The university’s records provide their names but do not specify their ages or clearly document their individual family backgrounds.
These remain his two publicly confirmed siblings.
Starling Thomas V’s Childhood and Family Background
Starling Thomas V was born on January 25, 2000, in Birmingham, Alabama.
He grew up in the city and developed an interest in American football from an early age.
His athletic abilities became particularly noticeable during his time at Ramsay High School, where he played several positions.
Thomas contributed as a cornerback, wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner.
His versatility helped him become one of the school’s leading football players.
During his senior season in 2017, he recorded 24 tackles and one interception while playing defensively.
He also demonstrated his offensive abilities by scoring a 99-yard receiving touchdown.
Thomas earned selection to the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, an event featuring outstanding high school football prospects from both states.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from several colleges, including Memphis, Purdue, Southern Mississippi, Troy and UAB.
Ultimately, he chose the University of Alabama at Birmingham, allowing him to continue his football career in his hometown.
That decision also provided an opportunity to remain geographically close to his family during his mother’s illness.
Starling Thomas V’s College Football Career at UAB
Starling Thomas V joined the UAB Blazers football program in 2018.
During his freshman season, he appeared in 12 games, recording 10 tackles and three passes defended.
His development was overshadowed by the death of his mother in November of that year.
Despite experiencing that personal tragedy, Thomas continued pursuing his football ambitions.
In 2019, he earned a starting role at cornerback and appeared in all 14 games.
He recorded 27 tackles, one interception and three passes defended while helping UAB establish one of the country’s strongest defensive units.
However, his college career also involved significant injuries.
During the 2019 season, Thomas suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
According to the Arizona Cardinals, he continued playing several games while wearing a protective brace.
The injury subsequently prevented him from competing during the 2020 season.
Following rehabilitation, Thomas returned to the field in 2021, starting all 13 games and recording 41 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
His performances earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition.
During his final college season in 2022, Thomas started 13 games, registered 30 tackles and recorded a team-leading 15 pass breakups.
He earned first-team All-Conference USA honors and participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Across his college career, Thomas appeared in 53 games and made 40 starts.
His ability to overcome personal tragedy and injuries became an important part of his story heading into the NFL.
Starling Thomas V’s NFL Career With the Arizona Cardinals
Despite his achievements at UAB, Starling Thomas V was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He subsequently signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023.
Thomas participated in Detroit’s training camp and preseason preparation but was released during the team’s final roster cuts in August.
On August 30, 2023, the Arizona Cardinals claimed him off waivers.
The move gave Thomas another opportunity to prove himself at the professional level.
He made his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 8, 2023.
Later that month, he earned his first NFL start against the Seattle Seahawks.
Thomas finished his rookie season with 38 tackles and five passes defended across 12 games, including seven starts.
His role expanded during the 2024 season, when he played all 17 games and made 15 starts.
He recorded 47 tackles, six passes defended and one forced fumble.
That season, Thomas also developed a close relationship with veteran Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who invited him to spend Thanksgiving with his family.
According to the Cardinals, the gesture helped Thomas feel supported while adjusting to life as a professional football player away from home.
Starling Thomas V’s Injury and NFL Return in 2026
Thomas suffered another serious knee injury during Arizona’s 2025 training camp.
The injury involved a torn ACL and forced him to miss the entire 2025 NFL season.
After completing rehabilitation, he agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in March 2026.
Although Arizona initially released him during its final roster cuts in August 2026, the organization brought him back to its practice squad.
On September 23, 2026, the Cardinals promoted Thomas to their active roster following an injury to cornerback Will Johnson.
As of now, Thomas remains part of the Arizona Cardinals organization, wearing jersey number 24.
His return reflects the perseverance he has demonstrated throughout his career, particularly after losing his mother and recovering from multiple knee injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starling Thomas V’s Family
Who is Starling Thomas V’s wife?
As of now, there is no verified public confirmation that Starling Thomas V is married. His marital status remains private.
Does Starling Thomas V have a girlfriend?
Starling Thomas V has not publicly identified a current girlfriend through reliable interviews or official sources.
Does Starling Thomas V have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Starling Thomas V has a son or daughter.
Who is Starling Thomas V’s father?
His father is Starling Thomas IV, also listed as Starlin Thomas IV in UAB’s 2022 player biography.
Who is Starling Thomas V’s mother?
His mother was Stephanie Williams, who died from breast cancer in November 2018 while he was playing college football at UAB.
How did Starling Thomas V’s mother die?
Stephanie Williams died after battling breast cancer. Thomas learned of her death after UAB’s November 17, 2018, game against Texas A&M.
How many siblings does Starling Thomas V have?
He has two publicly confirmed siblings, Kameron Thomas and Kalyn Williams, according to UAB’s official football biography.
Who is Kameron Thomas?
Kameron Thomas is one of Starling Thomas V’s siblings. Additional information about Kameron’s personal life has not been widely documented in reliable publications.
Who is Kalyn Williams?
Kalyn Williams is Starling Thomas V’s other publicly identified sibling, whose name appears in official UAB athletics records.
Where is Starling Thomas V from?
Starling Thomas V is from Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended Ramsay High School before playing college football at UAB.
What college did Starling Thomas V attend?
He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, playing football for the UAB Blazers from 2018 through 2022.
What NFL team does Starling Thomas V play for?
As of now, Starling Thomas V plays cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, who acquired him through waivers from the Detroit Lions in August 2023.
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.
