Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Tory Taylor is an Australian professional American football player who serves as the punter for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 7, 1997, in Melbourne, Australia, Taylor became one of the most successful college football punters in NCAA history before joining the Bears in 2024. Beyond his professional achievements, many fans are interested in Tory Taylor’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
The Chicago Bears punter is the son of Stuart and Tanya Taylor and has two brothers. His parents supported his decision to leave Australia and pursue American football at the University of Iowa. Taylor also confirmed having a girlfriend from the Chicago area during the 2024 NFL Draft. His extended family includes Australian Football League player Mitchito Owens, his first cousin.
Tory Taylor’s Girlfriend: Is He in a Relationship?
Tory Taylor publicly confirmed having a girlfriend from Winnetka, Illinois, during the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he did not disclose her name in the interviews reviewed.
The Chicago Bears punter discussed his relationship shortly after the team selected him in the fourth round of the draft on April 27, 2024.
According to the Chicago Bears’ official website, Taylor explained that his girlfriend was originally from the Chicago area and that the possibility of joining the Bears was particularly exciting for both of them.
As the fourth round of the draft progressed, Taylor joked with his girlfriend about Chicago potentially selecting him with the 122nd overall pick.
When the Bears eventually called his phone, the moment became especially memorable because the couple had already discussed how much they wanted him to join the franchise.
In a subsequent interview with Adam Rank on The Sick Podcast, Taylor explained that his girlfriend had been enthusiastic about the Bears throughout the draft process.
He also revealed during his introductory press conference that they had met while he was attending college.
His girlfriend came from Winnetka, a suburb located north of Chicago, making his move to the Bears personally meaningful.
Despite discussing the relationship publicly, Taylor has not consistently shared details about his partner’s identity, occupation or family background.
As of now, his girlfriend’s name and the couple’s current relationship status have not been independently established through more recent reliable reporting.
Is Tory Taylor Married?
There is no widely verified public announcement confirming that Tory Taylor is married.
Although he acknowledged having a girlfriend during the 2024 NFL Draft, the available reports do not establish that he subsequently became engaged or married.
As of now, Taylor’s marital status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Tory Taylor’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Tory Taylor has children. The Chicago Bears punter has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father.
His interviews have primarily focused on his professional career, his parents and brothers in Australia, his experiences at Iowa and his adjustment to life in the United States.
Although Taylor has participated in charitable activities supporting children and families, those contributions should not be confused with having children of his own.
As of now, no credible public reports have established that Tory Taylor has a son or daughter.
Tory Taylor’s Parents: Meet Stuart and Tanya Taylor
Tory Taylor’s parents are Stuart Taylor and Tanya Taylor. Their names are confirmed in his official University of Iowa football biography.
Both played important roles in encouraging their son to explore opportunities outside Australia and develop his sporting abilities.
Growing up in Melbourne, Taylor initially played Australian rules football before discovering the possibility of becoming a college football punter in the United States.
His parents supported that ambition even though pursuing it meant moving thousands of miles away from home.
Tory Taylor’s Father: Stuart Taylor
Stuart Taylor is Tory Taylor’s father and one of the most influential figures in his football journey.
Stuart encouraged his son to pursue opportunities that could provide meaningful experiences and prevent future regrets.
When Tory was considering moving to the United States, his father advised him to take the opportunity rather than spend his life wondering what might have happened.
In a December 2023 interview published by the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Tory recalled how his father’s advice helped him make the decision to leave Australia.
Stuart assured his son that the family would support him regardless of the outcome.
That encouragement was especially important because Taylor had limited experience with American football and was preparing to move far away from his relatives.
After joining Iowa in 2020, Taylor developed into one of the nation’s most accomplished college punters.
His father’s support remained consistent throughout his college career.
In November 2023, Stuart traveled from Australia to attend Iowa’s Senior Day celebration at Kinnick Stadium.
Father and son shared an emotional moment on the field as Taylor was recognized for his contributions to the Hawkeyes football program.
The occasion represented the culmination of the decision they had discussed years earlier.
Although Stuart has been featured in sports reporting about his son, reliable public information about his occupation and other personal details remains limited.
Tory Taylor’s Mother: Tanya Taylor
Tanya Taylor is Tory Taylor’s mother. Her identity is documented in the University of Iowa’s official football records.
Tanya supported her son’s ambition to pursue American football even though the opportunity required him to relocate from Melbourne to Iowa City.
According to a November 2020 University of Iowa feature, Taylor’s parents initially had concerns about their son moving such a significant distance from home.
However, a visit to Melbourne by Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods helped the family become more comfortable with the opportunity.
Woods traveled to Australia to meet Taylor and evaluate his potential as a college punter.
His visit reassured the family about the university’s interest in supporting Tory’s development.
Tanya and Stuart subsequently supported their son’s decision to join the Hawkeyes.
In September 2022, Tanya traveled to the United States with other family members to watch Taylor compete in person.
The visit was particularly meaningful because his relatives had previously been unable to attend his college games.
The family spent several weeks in the United States, visiting different locations before attending games at Kinnick Stadium.
In interviews, Taylor has emphasized how much he misses his family while living abroad.
His relationship with his mother remains an important part of his Australian family background.
Tory Taylor’s Siblings: Meet His Two Brothers
Tory Taylor has two brothers. Their existence was confirmed in September 2022 reporting by Sports Illustrated about his family’s visit to the United States.
The article explained that Taylor’s parents, grandparents, two brothers and one brother’s girlfriend traveled to Iowa to watch him play.
Although his brothers have appeared in reporting about family visits, their names and individual professional backgrounds have not been consistently documented in authoritative public sources.
Tory Taylor’s Younger Brother
Tory Taylor has a younger brother who was identified as being 14 years old during the Chicago Bears’ 2024 preseason.
In August 2024, Taylor wrote about his family’s arrival in Chicago in an official Bears Rookie Diaries article.
He explained that his parents, younger brother, grandfather and family friends had traveled from Australia to spend approximately one month with him.
The visit allowed his family to attend several Chicago Bears games and experience the beginning of his NFL career.
During a 2022 podcast appearance on Jock 2 Jock, Taylor also discussed a humorous comment made by his younger brother, who had jokingly described himself as the best punter in the family.
The lighthearted exchange offered fans a glimpse into their family relationship.
However, his younger brother’s name has not been reliably identified in the available reporting.
Tory Taylor’s Other Brother
Taylor has another brother who was included in the family’s September 2022 visit to Iowa.
Sports Illustrated reported that both brothers traveled with their parents and grandparents, along with the girlfriend of one of the brothers.
The trip was an important family occasion because Taylor had spent much of his college football career thousands of miles from home.
Although the brothers have supported his sporting ambitions, the identity, exact age and professional background of his other brother remain publicly unconfirmed.
Tory Taylor’s Cousin: Meet AFL Player Mitchito Owens
Mitchito Owens is Tory Taylor’s first cousin and a professional Australian rules football player for St Kilda in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Their family relationship was confirmed in a January 2026 article published on the AFL’s official website.
Owens, who is younger than Taylor, grew up in Melbourne and developed his career in Australian rules football.
In an interview with AFL journalist Callum Twomey, Owens explained that he and Taylor belong to a close family that frequently celebrated Christmas together during childhood.
Although the cousins eventually pursued different professional sporting careers, they have continued supporting each other.
During an offseason visit to Australia in 2025, Taylor attended St Kilda training sessions and exchanged kicking techniques with Owens.
Owens later explained that Taylor had offered useful advice about kicking during those sessions.
The cousins also communicate regularly and follow each other’s sporting achievements.
In January 2026, Owens discussed his excitement about watching Taylor compete for the Chicago Bears during the NFL playoffs.
Their relationship demonstrates the strong sporting connections within Taylor’s extended family.
How Tory Taylor’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Tory Taylor’s football journey began in Melbourne, Australia, where he grew up playing Australian rules football.
Unlike many NFL players who begin practicing American football during childhood, Taylor did not compete as an American football punter while attending high school.
He attended Haileybury, a private school in Victoria, before exploring opportunities to continue his sporting career overseas.
After developing an interest in punting, he joined Prokick Australia, a training organization that helps Australian athletes earn college football scholarships in the United States.
The program was founded by former Australian rules football player Nathan Chapman and John Smith.
During his early training sessions, Taylor initially questioned whether he possessed the skills required to compete at the college level.
However, he continued practicing and eventually attracted the attention of Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods.
Woods traveled to Melbourne in January 2020 to evaluate Taylor and discuss an opportunity to join the Hawkeyes.
His parents supported the move despite the geographical distance and the uncertainty associated with beginning a new sport.
Tory Taylor’s College Football Career at Iowa
Taylor joined the University of Iowa in 2020 and quickly demonstrated his punting abilities.
His first college football game came against Purdue in October 2020, during a season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite having limited experience with American football, he adapted successfully to the position.
He gradually became one of Iowa’s most important special teams players and developed a reputation for consistently placing opposing offenses in difficult field positions.
In 2023, Taylor recorded 4,479 punting yards on 93 punts, breaking the long-standing NCAA single-season record for punting yardage.
He also averaged 48.2 yards per punt during his final college season.
His performances earned him the Ray Guy Award, presented annually to the nation’s outstanding college football punter.
He was also recognized as a unanimous All-American.
Throughout his college career, Taylor regularly acknowledged the support of his parents, brothers, coaches and teammates.
Tory Taylor’s Journey to the Chicago Bears
On April 27, 2024, the Chicago Bears selected Tory Taylor in the fourth round of the NFL Draft with the 122nd overall pick.
His selection represented a major achievement for a player who had moved from Australia without previously competing in American football.
The choice was particularly exciting because his girlfriend at the time was from the Chicago area.
During his rookie season, Taylor quickly became an important contributor to the Bears’ special teams unit.
He finished the 2024 season with 82 punts for 3,911 yards and an average of 47.7 yards per punt.
He continued developing his professional career during the following seasons.
For Taylor, joining the NFL represented more than an individual accomplishment. It also reflected the sacrifices and encouragement provided by his family in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tory Taylor’s Family
Who is Tory Taylor’s girlfriend?
Tory Taylor confirmed having a girlfriend from the Chicago suburb of Winnetka during the 2024 NFL Draft. He explained that they met while he was attending college, but her name has not been reliably disclosed.
Is Tory Taylor married?
As of now, there is no widely verified public announcement confirming that Tory Taylor is married.
Does Tory Taylor have children?
There is no publicly confirmed information establishing that Tory Taylor has a son or daughter.
Who are Tory Taylor’s parents?
Tory Taylor’s parents are Stuart Taylor and Tanya Taylor. Both supported his decision to leave Australia and pursue American football in the United States.
Who is Tory Taylor’s father?
Tory Taylor’s father is Stuart Taylor. He encouraged his son to pursue the opportunity to play college football at Iowa and attended his Senior Day celebration in 2023.
Who is Tory Taylor’s mother?
Tory Taylor’s mother is Tanya Taylor. She supported his move to Iowa and traveled from Australia to watch him compete in college football.
How many siblings does Tory Taylor have?
Tory Taylor has two brothers, both of whom visited him in the United States during his college football career.
Does Tory Taylor have a younger brother?
Yes. Tory Taylor has a younger brother who was 14 years old during the Chicago Bears’ 2024 preseason.
Is Mitchito Owens related to Tory Taylor?
Yes. Mitchito Owens, the St Kilda Australian rules football player, is Tory Taylor’s first cousin.
Where is Tory Taylor from?
Tory Taylor was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He attended Haileybury before moving to the United States to play college football at Iowa.
How old is Tory Taylor?
Tory Taylor was born on October 7, 1997. He is 29 years old as of now.
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.
