Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Barrett Carter is an American professional football player who plays linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. Born on October 23, 2002, in Chicago, Illinois, Carter grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, before becoming a standout college football player at Clemson University.
Beyond his professional football career, Carter comes from a supportive family with a strong background in leadership, education and public service. His parents are Barrett Carter and Alexis Carter, while his older sister, Kennedy Carter, has developed a successful career in architecture and entertainment production.
Although Carter has spoken openly about his parents and sister, he has generally kept details about his romantic relationships and whether he has children away from public attention.
Barrett Carter’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Barrett Carter has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or provided enough verified information to establish his present relationship status.
However, the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker previously acknowledged having a girlfriend during his high school football career.
In a February 2020 interview published by Sports Illustrated, Carter discussed how he managed the attention surrounding his college recruitment while attending North Gwinnett High School in Georgia.
He explained that spending time with his girlfriend helped him relax and temporarily escape the pressure associated with being one of the country’s most highly recruited football prospects.
According to Carter, the couple enjoyed activities such as visiting movie theaters, going to Six Flags amusement parks and spending time with friends.
His girlfriend was also a high school student at the time and reportedly had an interest in attending the University of Georgia.
However, Carter did not publicly identify her by name in that interview.
There is also no sufficiently verified public information establishing whether the couple continued their relationship after Carter enrolled at Clemson University in 2021.
Since entering the NFL, Carter has primarily discussed football, his family and his personal development rather than romantic relationships.
Consequently, while he previously confirmed having a girlfriend, his current relationship status remains unverified.
Is Barrett Carter Married?
As of now, there is no verified public announcement confirming that Barrett Carter is married.
The Cincinnati Bengals linebacker has not publicly identified a wife or announced an engagement through reliable media reporting.
Although his personal life attracts interest from football supporters, Carter has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships.
Does Barrett Carter Have Children?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Barrett Carter has children.
Neither his official Cincinnati Bengals biography nor his Clemson University athletics profile identifies him as a father.
He has also not made a widely documented public announcement about welcoming a son or daughter.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Carter has children without additional reliable confirmation.
Barrett Carter’s Parents
Barrett Carter’s Father: Barrett Carter Sr.
Barrett Carter’s father is also named Barrett Carter. He is a former United States Marine who later worked in law enforcement and financial services.
According to a November 2025 family feature published by the Cincinnati Bengals, the elder Carter served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps before his children were born.
During his military career, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, experiencing the demanding conditions associated with military service in the Middle East.
His military background helped establish the importance of discipline, responsibility and leadership within the Carter household.
After leaving the Marines, Carter’s father became a police officer before transitioning into the financial industry.
He subsequently worked as a stockbroker and independent financial adviser.
According to the Bengals, his decision to enter finance was partly motivated by a desire to spend more evenings and weekends with his family.
That career change allowed him to become more actively involved in his children’s activities, particularly Barrett’s developing football career.
How Barrett Carter’s Father Influenced His Football Career
Barrett Carter has frequently credited his father with teaching him important lessons about leadership and personal responsibility.
During a November 2025 interview with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carter described his father as the most influential leader he had known.
His father regularly attended his football games and supported the additional training required for him to become an elite athlete.
He recalled driving Barrett to early-morning workouts following Friday night high school football games.
Even when other players were absent, Carter continued attending those sessions because of his determination to improve.
His father emphasized that his son’s work ethic was not something the family had to force upon him. Instead, Barrett developed a strong internal desire to succeed.
The family’s commitment continued throughout Carter’s college career at Clemson University.
According to his father, he and Alexis attended nearly every game their son played from high school through his early NFL career, missing only two games during Barrett’s freshman season at Clemson.
The family’s support also extended to educational experiences outside football.
In 2025, they visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, where Carter learned more about legendary NFL players and their achievements.
His father believed the experience provided additional motivation as Barrett continued developing his professional career.
Barrett Carter’s Mother: Alexis Carter
Barrett Carter’s mother is Alexis Carter, who has played an important role in his upbringing and personal development.
Alexis helped raise Barrett and his older sister, Kennedy, while supporting her husband’s career transitions from military service to law enforcement and financial services.
According to the Cincinnati Bengals, Alexis provided stability within the family household as her husband pursued different professional opportunities.
Her involvement allowed the family to remain closely connected despite the responsibilities associated with raising children and managing demanding careers.
Barrett’s father has also credited Alexis with influencing their son’s personality and natural leadership qualities.
He explained that Barrett’s confidence and willingness to interact with other people reflected characteristics he had observed in his mother.
These traits became particularly noticeable when Carter began receiving national recognition as a college football player.
According to his father, Barrett regularly spent considerable time interacting with Clemson supporters after games, signing autographs and taking photographs with fans.
His willingness to engage with people demonstrated the outgoing personality that his family associated with Alexis.
Alexis also attended football games throughout her son’s development, accompanying her husband as they supported Barrett’s career.
Although her professional background has not been extensively documented in public reporting, her influence on Carter’s personal development has been acknowledged by the family.
Barrett Carter’s Siblings
Barrett Carter has an older sister named Kennedy Carter, who has been publicly identified in official Cincinnati Bengals reporting.
During a June 2021 interview with The Clemson Insider, Carter explained that he was the youngest child in his family and his parents’ only son.
Kennedy is his best-documented sibling, and the family has spoken publicly about their close relationship.
Kennedy Carter: Barrett Carter’s Older Sister
Kennedy Carter is Barrett Carter’s older sister and one of his closest family members.
According to a November 2025 Cincinnati Bengals feature, Kennedy studied at Howard University and pursued a professional career connected to architecture and entertainment production.
The Bengals identified her as an architect and assistant producer for Disney.
Kennedy has maintained a close relationship with her younger brother, supporting his development from a promising high school athlete to an NFL linebacker.
She also helped organize a family visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, after working on a project associated with the institution.
The visit allowed Barrett and his relatives to explore the history of professional football and learn about some of the sport’s most celebrated players.
Her involvement demonstrated how family members continued supporting Carter after he entered the NFL.
Kennedy Carter’s Support During the 2025 NFL Draft
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Barrett Carter in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Kennedy publicly celebrated her brother’s achievement.
In a LinkedIn post published shortly after the draft, she expressed excitement about the next chapter in his professional career.
Her message reflected the pride shared by the Carter family after years of watching Barrett develop into a professional football player.
Kennedy also highlighted the significance of the achievement for their family, which had supported Barrett throughout his athletic development.
Their relationship illustrates the importance of sibling encouragement in Carter’s journey to professional football.
Barrett Carter’s Family Background and Upbringing
Barrett Carter was born in Chicago, Illinois, before his family relocated to the Atlanta metropolitan area.
According to Clemson University, he moved to Suwanee, Georgia, when he was approximately seven years old.
Growing up, Carter developed a strong interest in American football and regularly watched NFL games with his father.
He particularly enjoyed watching Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers compete against the Chicago Bears.
Those childhood experiences contributed to his desire to become a professional football player.
Carter later attended North Gwinnett High School, where he initially played running back and wide receiver while also contributing defensively.
During his high school career, he transitioned toward becoming a full-time linebacker.
Although he initially found the positional change disappointing, the decision helped him attract significant attention from college football programs.
By the end of his sophomore year, Carter had received numerous scholarship offers from universities across the country.
He eventually committed to Clemson University, explaining that the school’s family-oriented environment influenced his decision.
At Clemson, Carter became one of the program’s most productive defensive players, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and serving as a team captain.
Despite having an opportunity to enter the NFL Draft earlier, he returned to Clemson for the 2024 season.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in sports communication in December 2024.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Carter with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
During his rookie season, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games and developed into an important member of Cincinnati’s linebacker group.
Throughout his journey, Carter has emphasized that his family taught him the importance of remaining humble, working hard and demonstrating leadership.
Barrett Carter’s Family Values and Community Work
Barrett Carter has explained that his upbringing influenced his commitment to helping young people and contributing to his community.
During his college career, he regularly visited elementary schools and participated in activities designed to encourage children.
He also became involved with Our Friend Christopher, a charitable organization established in memory of Christopher Miles, a former high school teammate who died after battling a brain tumor.
Carter has described Christopher as an older-brother figure who inspired him through his involvement in community activities.
His charitable work reflects the importance of family values, mentorship and personal responsibility in his life.
In a November 2024 Clemson University feature, Carter explained that his family encouraged him to remain grounded regardless of his athletic accomplishments.
Those principles have continued influencing his approach to professional football and his activities outside the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barrett Carter’s Family
Who is Barrett Carter’s girlfriend?
Barrett Carter acknowledged having a girlfriend during a 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated. However, he did not publicly identify her by name, and his current relationship status has not been verified.
Is Barrett Carter married?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker is married.
Does Barrett Carter have children?
There is no verified public information establishing that Barrett Carter has children.
Who is Barrett Carter’s father?
His father is also named Barrett Carter. He previously served in the United States Marine Corps and worked as a police officer before pursuing a career in financial services.
Who is Barrett Carter’s mother?
His mother is Alexis Carter, who helped raise him and his older sister while supporting the family’s educational and athletic ambitions.
Does Barrett Carter have siblings?
Yes. Barrett Carter has an older sister named Kennedy Carter. He has publicly described himself as the youngest child and only son in his family.
Who is Barrett Carter’s sister?
His older sister is Kennedy Carter, a Howard University graduate who has worked in architecture and entertainment production, including as an assistant producer for Disney.
Where is Barrett Carter’s family from?
Barrett Carter was born in Chicago, Illinois, before his family moved to Suwanee, Georgia, where he grew up.
Did Barrett Carter’s father serve in the military?
Yes. His father served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps and participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
What college did Barrett Carter attend?
Barrett Carter attended Clemson University from 2021 through 2024 and graduated with a degree in sports communication.
Which NFL team does Barrett Carter play for?
As of now, Barrett Carter plays linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2025 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.
