Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Tommy Togiai is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 19, 1999, Togiai grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, and played college football at Ohio State University before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Beyond his football career, Togiai comes from a close-knit family with a strong athletic background. His father was a professional rugby player in Samoa, his mother participated in multiple sports, and his older brother also played college football.
Tommy Togiai is married to Alessandra Togiai, whom he wed on June 21, 2023. His parents are Talalelei Togiai and Jodi Togiai, and he has three siblings: T.J., Lynnsie, and Luke Togiai.
His family’s encouragement, discipline, and emphasis on hard work have played an important role in his development from a young football player in Idaho to an established NFL defensive lineman.
Tommy Togiai’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Tommy Togiai is married to Alessandra Togiai. The couple tied the knot on June 21, 2023, during the NFL offseason.
Before their marriage, Alessandra was Togiai’s fiancée and longtime romantic partner.
Their wedding became public knowledge when the Cleveland Browns congratulated Togiai and two teammates on their marriages.
According to a July 14, 2023, report published by Cleveland 19 News, Togiai married Alessandra on June 21, while teammates Harrison Bryant and Juan Thornhill also celebrated weddings that summer.
The Browns officially acknowledged the three marriages through their social media accounts.
Who Is Alessandra Togiai?
Alessandra Togiai is best known publicly as the wife of Houston Texans defensive tackle Tommy Togiai.
She maintains a relatively private personal life, and details about her professional occupation, educational background, and childhood have not been widely documented.
Alessandra has used the Instagram account @alle.togiai, which was referenced in reporting about the couple’s marriage.
Although Togiai is a recognizable NFL player, he and Alessandra generally avoid sharing extensive details about their relationship with the media.
Consequently, information about how they first met and when they began dating has not been reliably established.
Tommy Togiai and Alessandra’s Wedding
Tommy Togiai and Alessandra married on June 21, 2023.
According to a September 2025 feature published by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the couple eloped in Hawaii.
Their decision to celebrate their marriage privately reflected their preference for keeping personal milestones relatively low-profile.
The wedding occurred while Togiai was playing for the Cleveland Browns, the team that selected him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In July 2023, the Browns publicly congratulated the newlyweds alongside two other players who had married during the offseason.
Although the marriage received some attention from football fans, Togiai and his wife did not make their wedding a major public event.
How Alessandra Supports Tommy Togiai’s NFL Career
Alessandra has remained part of Togiai’s life throughout the challenges and opportunities associated with professional football.
After beginning his NFL career in Cleveland, Togiai experienced several changes involving different teams before establishing himself with the Houston Texans.
In September 2025, the Texans rewarded his performances with a one-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $3.3 million.
According to KPRC 2 Houston, Togiai spent time relaxing with his wife after signing the agreement rather than organizing a large celebration.
He explained that he preferred remaining focused on the football season and continuing to improve.
The moment provided a rare public glimpse into his married life.
As of now, Tommy Togiai and Alessandra remain publicly known as a married couple.
Tommy Togiai’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Tommy Togiai has children.
Although Togiai married Alessandra in June 2023, the couple has not made a widely documented announcement confirming the birth of a son or daughter.
His official Houston Texans biography, major sports interviews, and published reports about his marriage do not identify any children.
Furthermore, coverage discussing his family has primarily focused on his wife, parents, and siblings.
However, the absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean that Togiai has no children.
He and his wife maintain a relatively private personal life and may choose not to share certain family details publicly.
Until Togiai or another reliable source confirms otherwise, his status as a father remains publicly unverified.
Tommy Togiai’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Tommy Togiai’s parents are Talalelei Togiai and Jodi Togiai.
Their names are confirmed in his official Ohio State University football biography and the Houston Texans’ player profile.
His father, commonly known as Tala, is originally from Samoa and previously played professional rugby.
His mother was a multi-sport athlete during high school in Idaho.
Together, they raised four children and established a household where athletic participation, discipline, and personal responsibility were highly valued.
Tommy Togiai’s Father: Talalelei Togiai
Tommy Togiai’s father is Talalelei Togiai, commonly known as Tala Togiai.
Tala was born and raised in Samoa, where he developed a passion for rugby and eventually played the sport professionally.
After settling in Idaho, he passed his enthusiasm for athletics to his children.
According to an August 2017 feature published by the Idaho State Journal, Tala introduced his children to structured physical training at relatively young ages.
He encouraged them to develop strength, endurance, and discipline through regular workouts.
One family training routine involved running laps around their yard.
During Tommy’s middle school years, Tala sometimes supervised workouts involving Tommy and his younger brother, Luke.
Their older siblings, T.J. and Lynnsie, had previously participated in similar training activities.
These exercises were intended to teach the children perseverance and the importance of finishing difficult tasks.
How Tala Togiai Inspired His Son’s Strength Training
Tommy developed an interest in weightlifting at an unusually young age.
According to the Idaho State Journal, he began exercising in the family’s home gym while attending elementary school.
By his 12th birthday, Tommy was so enthusiastic about weight training that he asked his parents for a membership at Gold’s Gym.
Tala and Jodi agreed to the request, allowing him to begin more structured strength training.
Working alongside his father helped Tommy develop the physical power that eventually became one of his defining football attributes.
During the NFL Draft evaluation process in 2021, he completed 40 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press at Ohio State’s Pro Day.
In December 2025, Togiai told KPRC 2 Houston that his father’s emphasis on taking the children to the gym was a major reason he became so strong.
His father’s influence has remained evident throughout his professional football career.
Tommy Togiai’s Mother: Jodi Togiai
Tommy Togiai’s mother is Jodi Togiai.
Like her husband, Jodi comes from an athletic background.
According to the Idaho State Journal, she competed in three sports while attending Snake River High School in Idaho.
Her father also participated in college athletics, playing football and basketball at Ricks College, now known as Brigham Young University-Idaho.
As a result, Tommy grew up surrounded by relatives who understood athletic competition and the dedication required to succeed.
Jodi played an important role in supporting her son’s early football development.
During his high school recruitment, she communicated regularly with college coaches and helped evaluate scholarship opportunities.
When Ohio State University began recruiting Tommy, Jodi and Tala accompanied him on visits to the campus.
They also met with head coach Urban Meyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
Jodi later explained that the family’s positive relationship with the Ohio State coaching staff helped them feel confident about Tommy’s college decision.
How Jodi Togiai Supported Tommy’s NFL Journey
Jodi continued supporting Tommy after he entered the NFL.
During his early professional career, Togiai experienced challenges involving limited playing opportunities and changes between teams.
In December 2025, the Houston Chronicle interviewed Jodi about her son’s development and perseverance.
She recalled that the family encouraged Tommy to remain patient and continue working when his NFL future appeared uncertain.
Rather than abandoning his goals, Togiai continued training and preparing for another opportunity.
Jodi expressed pride in his determination and his ability to overcome professional setbacks.
She also explained that the Togiai family emphasized the belief that consistent hard work was essential for achieving important goals.
Her encouragement remained particularly meaningful when Tommy established himself as a valuable member of the Houston Texans’ defensive line.
Tommy Togiai’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Tommy Togiai has three siblings: two brothers named T.J. and Luke, and one sister named Lynnsie.
Their identities were confirmed in a detailed August 2017 Idaho State Journal family profile.
T.J. and Lynnsie are Tommy’s older siblings, while Luke is his younger brother.
All four children grew up in a household that emphasized athletic development, hard work, and discipline.
Tommy Togiai’s Older Brother: T.J. Togiai
T.J. Togiai is Tommy Togiai’s older brother and a former college football defensive tackle.
He played football at Carroll College in 2015 before transferring to Idaho State University, where he competed from 2016 through 2020.
According to the Cleveland Browns’ official 2021 draft coverage, T.J. played a significant role in establishing the family’s football tradition.
Tommy became interested in football partly because he enjoyed watching his older brother compete.
During childhood, Tommy attended T.J.’s youth football games and eagerly waited for an opportunity to play himself.
The brothers also shared a strong interest in weightlifting and physical training.
According to the Idaho State Journal, their competitive personalities occasionally resulted in humorous family moments, including disagreements over food because of their large appetites.
T.J. has publicly praised Tommy’s athletic abilities and remarkable strength.
Although he did not achieve the same professional football career as his younger brother, T.J.’s involvement in college athletics helped inspire Tommy’s development.
Tommy Togiai’s Older Sister: Lynnsie Togiai
Lynnsie Togiai is Tommy Togiai’s older sister.
She grew up alongside her three brothers in Idaho.
According to the Idaho State Journal, Lynnsie participated in the family’s physical training routines while growing up.
Like her siblings, she was encouraged to develop discipline through exercise and athletic activities.
The same publication reported that Tommy spent approximately three weeks visiting his sister in Utah during the summer of 2016.
That experience was one of his early extended periods away from home before he eventually moved to Ohio for college.
Although Lynnsie has been publicly identified as Tommy’s sister, her current occupation, education, and personal relationships have not been widely documented.
Tommy Togiai’s Younger Brother: Luke Togiai
Luke Togiai is Tommy Togiai’s younger brother.
Luke grew up participating in family workouts alongside Tommy and their older siblings.
According to the Idaho State Journal, when Tommy was in seventh grade, Luke was in fourth grade.
The brothers regularly completed physical exercises supervised by their father, Tala.
One memorable training routine involved running laps around their family property during warm weather.
Although the exercises were demanding, they helped develop endurance and personal discipline.
Luke’s professional and educational background has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
However, his involvement in the family’s athletic activities demonstrates the emphasis their parents placed on physical development.
Tommy Togiai’s Family Heritage and Athletic Background
Tommy Togiai comes from a family with strong Samoan connections and a multigenerational tradition of sports participation.
His father, Tala, played professional rugby in Samoa before establishing a family in Idaho.
His mother, Jodi, participated in three sports at Snake River High School.
His maternal grandfather played football and basketball at Ricks College.
His older brother, T.J., later became a college football defensive tackle.
These family experiences created an environment where athletic competition and strength training were normal parts of everyday life.
Tommy’s Samoan heritage is particularly meaningful because of the strong tradition of rugby and American football among Polynesian athletes.
His family’s athletic background contributed to his early interest in sports and his eventual success as a defensive lineman.
Tommy Togiai’s Childhood and Early Football Career
Tommy Togiai grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, where he attended Highland High School.
He began participating in organized youth football after watching his older brother compete.
As he developed, his combination of strength, size, and speed helped him become one of Idaho’s leading high school football prospects.
During his senior season in 2017, Togiai recorded 93 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
He helped Highland High School win the Idaho Class 5A state championship.
His performances earned him Idaho Gatorade Football Player of the Year honors and an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He also attracted scholarship offers from major college football programs, including Ohio State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
After visiting Ohio State with his parents, he committed to the Buckeyes in December 2017.
His decision made him the first player from Idaho to sign with Ohio State’s football program.
How Tommy Togiai’s Family Influenced His NFL Career
Tommy Togiai’s journey to the NFL reflects the physical preparation and family support he received throughout childhood.
After graduating from Highland High School, he enrolled at Ohio State University in January 2018.
He played for the Buckeyes from 2018 through 2020, appearing in 33 games.
During the 2020 season, he recorded 23 tackles and three sacks and earned Second-Team All-Big Ten recognition.
Following his college career, he entered the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns selected him with the 132nd overall pick in the fourth round.
However, his professional career initially involved challenges with playing time and roster opportunities.
After leaving Cleveland in 2023, he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons organizations before joining the Houston Texans’ practice squad in September 2024.
His dedication to training eventually earned him opportunities on Houston’s active roster.
In 2025, Togiai developed into an important contributor to the Texans’ defensive line.
His performances included a standout game against the Kansas City Chiefs in December 2025, when he recorded 10 tackles and a sack.
His mother, Jodi, later expressed pride in his perseverance and ability to remain committed despite earlier setbacks.
The work ethic his parents encouraged during childhood remained central to his professional success.
Tommy Togiai’s Family Facts
- Full name: Tommy Togiai
- Date of birth: September 19, 1999
- Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho, United States
- Nationality: American
- Family heritage: Samoan
- Profession: NFL defensive tackle
- Current team: Houston Texans
- Jersey number: 72
- Marital status: Married
- Wife: Alessandra Togiai
- Wedding date: June 21, 2023
- Wedding location: Hawaii
- Children: None publicly confirmed
- Father: Talalelei (Tala) Togiai
- Mother: Jodi Togiai
- Older brother: T.J. Togiai
- Older sister: Lynnsie Togiai
- Younger brother: Luke Togiai
- High school: Highland High School
- College: Ohio State University
- NFL Draft: 2021, fourth round, 132nd overall
Frequently Asked Questions About Tommy Togiai’s Family
Who is Tommy Togiai’s girlfriend?
Tommy Togiai’s former fiancée and longtime partner is Alessandra Togiai. The couple married on June 21, 2023, so Alessandra is now his wife rather than his girlfriend.
Who is Tommy Togiai’s wife?
Tommy Togiai’s wife is Alessandra Togiai. The couple married in Hawaii in June 2023 and generally maintain a private relationship.
Does Tommy Togiai have children?
As of now, no reliable public information confirms that Tommy Togiai has children. He and his wife have not made a widely documented announcement about having a son or daughter.
Who is Tommy Togiai’s father?
Tommy Togiai’s father is Talalelei Togiai, also known as Tala. He is originally from Samoa and previously played professional rugby. He introduced his children to strength training and athletic discipline.
Who is Tommy Togiai’s mother?
Tommy Togiai’s mother is Jodi Togiai. She participated in three sports at Snake River High School and has supported her son’s football career since childhood.
How many siblings does Tommy Togiai have?
Tommy Togiai has three siblings: two brothers named T.J. and Luke, and one sister named Lynnsie.
Who is Tommy Togiai’s older brother?
His older brother is T.J. Togiai, a former college football defensive tackle who played at Carroll College and Idaho State University.
Does Tommy Togiai have a sister?
Yes. Tommy Togiai has an older sister named Lynnsie Togiai. She grew up with the family in Idaho and has largely maintained a private personal life.
Where are Tommy Togiai’s parents from?
His father, Tala, is originally from Samoa. His mother, Jodi, has roots in Idaho, where she attended Snake River High School.
Is Tommy Togiai Samoan?
Tommy Togiai is American and has Samoan heritage through his father, Talalelei Togiai, who previously played professional rugby in Samoa.
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.
