Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Carter O’Donnell is a Canadian professional football offensive lineman who plays for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on December 23, 1998, in Alberta, Canada, O’Donnell previously played university football for the University of Alberta Golden Bears before pursuing a professional career with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.
Beyond football, Carter O’Donnell comes from an athletic household of his own. He is married to Courtney O’Donnell, a Canadian international rugby union player who represented Canada at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Although his marriage is publicly confirmed, information about Carter O’Donnell’s children, parents, and siblings remains limited in reliable sports biographies and interviews.
Carter O’Donnell’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Carter O’Donnell is married to Courtney O’Donnell, a professional-level rugby union player and member of Canada’s women’s national rugby team.
Their marriage was publicly confirmed during September 2025 interviews when Carter discussed his wife’s participation in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
On September 25, 2025, Edmonton’s 880 CHED radio station published an interview in which Carter spoke enthusiastically about Courtney and Canada’s preparations for the tournament final against England.
He explained that he was proud of her accomplishments and looked forward to watching her compete in one of the biggest matches in Canadian women’s rugby history.
A separate appearance on The Jason Gregor Show, published on September 30, 2025, also identified Courtney as Carter’s wife.
Although their marriage is confirmed, reliable public sources reviewed for this article do not establish their exact wedding date or how they originally met.
Who Is Courtney O’Donnell?
Courtney O’Donnell, formerly known professionally as Courtney Holtkamp, is a Canadian international rugby union player from Rimbey, Alberta.
She was born on April 25, 1999, and has represented Canada’s women’s national rugby team in international competitions.
Courtney plays primarily as a forward, including in the back row, where physical strength, tackling, defensive awareness, and ball-carrying ability are important responsibilities.
She began representing Canada internationally in 2017 and developed into an experienced member of the national team.
Her rugby career also included playing for Loughborough Lightning in England and representing Red Deer Titans Rugby in Alberta.
In July 2025, Rugby Canada named Courtney to its 32-player squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
She contributed throughout the tournament as Canada advanced to the championship match.
Although Canada lost the final to England on September 27, 2025, the team finished as runners-up, earning a silver medal.
For Courtney and her teammates, the result was an important achievement in the history of Canadian women’s rugby.
How Carter O’Donnell Supported His Wife During the Rugby World Cup
One of the clearest public examples of Carter and Courtney O’Donnell’s relationship came during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
At the time, Carter was beginning his CFL career with the Edmonton Elks after returning to Canada from the NFL.
Meanwhile, Courtney was competing internationally for Canada in England.
During his September 25 interview with 880 CHED, Carter explained that the time difference between Edmonton and England made communication challenging.
Nevertheless, the couple remained in contact whenever their schedules allowed.
Carter praised Courtney’s performances, particularly her defensive contributions and tackling throughout the tournament.
He also expressed excitement about Canada’s victory over New Zealand in the semifinal and the team’s opportunity to compete for the world championship.
His comments provided a rare public glimpse into their marriage and demonstrated the support they provide one another while pursuing demanding professional sporting careers.
Their relationship is notable because both spouses have represented Canadian sports at an international or professional level.
Carter O’Donnell’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
There is no verified public information confirming that Carter O’Donnell and his wife Courtney have children.
His official University of Alberta athletics biography, NFL career records, and Edmonton Elks player information do not identify any sons or daughters.
Similarly, his September 2025 interviews about Courtney’s rugby career do not establish that the couple are parents.
Although Carter has publicly discussed his marriage, he has not provided reliable public confirmation about having children.
Consequently, his parental status remains unknown. The absence of information should not be interpreted as definitive evidence that the couple have no children.
Carter O’Donnell’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Carter O’Donnell grew up in Alberta, Canada, and attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer.
His upbringing in central Alberta helped establish the foundation for his football career, which eventually took him to the University of Alberta, the NFL, and the CFL.
However, the names of Carter O’Donnell’s parents have not been reliably established through his official college football biography or the professional sports sources reviewed.
Carter O’Donnell’s Father
The name of Carter O’Donnell’s father has not been publicly confirmed through reliable official football biographies.
Although Carter has participated in interviews discussing his childhood, education, and professional ambitions, the available reporting does not provide a verified name or detailed background for his father.
In an April 2020 interview with Global News, Carter discussed how NFL teams asked about his upbringing and personal background while evaluating him before the draft.
However, the published interview did not identify his father or describe his father’s occupation or sporting experience.
Therefore, specific details about Carter’s father remain unavailable.
Carter O’Donnell’s Mother
Carter O’Donnell’s mother’s name has also not been reliably established in the available official athletics records.
His University of Alberta player biography provides details about his education, hometown, playing position, and university football career but does not name his mother.
Available interviews about his transition to professional football also focus primarily on his athletic development rather than his parents’ personal lives.
Consequently, there is insufficient verified information to identify his mother or describe her occupation, educational background, and other private details.
Carter O’Donnell’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
There is currently no verified public information identifying Carter O’Donnell’s brothers or sisters.
His official University of Alberta football biography does not provide a list of siblings, and published CFL and NFL coverage does not establish whether he grew up with brothers or sisters.
Does Carter O’Donnell Have a Brother?
No brother has been publicly identified through the reliable sports sources reviewed.
Carter has developed close relationships with teammates throughout his university and professional football careers, but these friendships do not establish biological family relationships.
Without an official statement or reliable biographical source, it remains unknown whether Carter has any brothers.
Does Carter O’Donnell Have a Sister?
There is also no verified public information identifying a sister of Carter O’Donnell.
His university and professional football profiles do not name any female siblings.
Therefore, whether he has sisters or is an only child remains unknown.
Carter O’Donnell’s Early Life and Family Background
Carter O’Donnell was born on December 23, 1998, in Alberta, Canada. He grew up in Red Deer, where he attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School.
During his school years, Carter participated in several sports, including football, baseball, and wrestling.
According to his Indianapolis Colts rookie biography, he was also a championship wrestler during high school.
His athletic versatility helped him develop the physical strength and coordination that would later benefit his career as an offensive lineman.
After graduating from high school, O’Donnell joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears football program in 2016.
He also pursued studies in education, focusing on chemistry and physics.
His college development eventually attracted attention from professional football scouts in both Canada and the United States.
Carter O’Donnell’s University Football Career
Carter O’Donnell played university football for the Alberta Golden Bears from 2016 through 2019.
He became one of Canada’s most highly regarded university offensive linemen during his four seasons with the program.
O’Donnell primarily played offensive tackle and demonstrated impressive size, strength, and blocking technique.
During the 2018 season, he received Second Team U SPORTS All-Canadian recognition.
He followed that accomplishment by earning First Team U SPORTS All-Canadian honors in 2019.
During his final season, Carter started seven of eight games at right tackle and helped the Golden Bears produce an average of 399 yards of total offense per game.
His performances earned him an invitation to the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The event provided an opportunity to compete against other professional football prospects in front of NFL and CFL scouts.
He entered the 2020 draft season as one of the highest-ranked Canadian football prospects.
Carter O’Donnell’s NFL Career
After completing his university career, Carter O’Donnell signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in April 2020.
He spent much of his early NFL career developing on the Colts’ practice squad.
Although he faced significant competition for a roster position, he continued working toward becoming an established professional offensive lineman.
His progress was interrupted by a serious Lisfranc foot injury during the 2022 training camp.
The injury forced him to miss the entire season and raised concerns about whether he would return to professional football.
However, O’Donnell successfully completed rehabilitation and resumed competing for an NFL roster spot.
In August 2023, he joined the Arizona Cardinals after being released by Indianapolis.
He subsequently appeared in five regular-season games for Arizona, starting three.
In November 2023, he discussed his professional journey during an interview with rdnewsNOW, describing the challenges he had overcome and his determination to make the most of his NFL opportunity.
His time with the Cardinals demonstrated his ability to compete in the NFL despite the setbacks he had experienced.
Carter O’Donnell’s CFL Career With the Edmonton Elks
Carter O’Donnell was originally selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the third round of the 2020 CFL Draft, 22nd overall.
However, he initially chose to pursue opportunities in the NFL rather than begin his professional career in Canada.
After spending several seasons with Indianapolis and Arizona, he returned to Canadian football in 2025.
On September 2, 2025, the Edmonton Elks announced that they had signed O’Donnell.
The move allowed him to return to Alberta, where he had grown up and attended university.
According to 3DownNation, his contract was a three-year agreement running through the 2027 CFL season.
His signing strengthened an Edmonton offensive line that already included former University of Alberta players David Beard and Mark Korte.
O’Donnell quickly became an important member of the Elks’ offensive unit.
During the 2026 season, he helped Edmonton establish one of the CFL’s most productive rushing attacks.
The Elks finished the regular season with a league-leading 2,296 rushing yards.
On October 29, 2026, the CFL recognized Carter O’Donnell with a place on the 2026 West Division All-CFL Team as an offensive guard.
The recognition represented another important achievement in his professional football career.
How Carter and Courtney O’Donnell Support Their Sporting Careers
One of the most distinctive aspects of Carter O’Donnell’s personal life is that both he and his wife compete at elite levels in different sports.
While Carter has played professional American and Canadian football, Courtney has represented Canada internationally in rugby union.
Both sports require significant physical preparation, demanding training schedules, and frequent travel.
Their careers can also involve extended periods apart, particularly when Courtney travels internationally with Canada’s rugby team.
During the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Carter remained in Canada with the Edmonton Elks while Courtney competed in England.
Despite the distance, he followed her performances and publicly expressed pride in her achievements.
His September 2025 radio interviews demonstrated the importance of encouragement and communication within their marriage.
Although the couple maintain privacy regarding other aspects of their family life, their sporting accomplishments and mutual support are publicly documented.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carter O’Donnell’s Family
Who is Carter O’Donnell’s girlfriend?
Carter O’Donnell is married to Courtney O’Donnell, a Canadian international rugby player.
Who is Carter O’Donnell’s wife?
His wife is Courtney O’Donnell, formerly known as Courtney Holtkamp, who represents Canada in international rugby union.
Is Carter O’Donnell married?
Yes. Carter O’Donnell’s marriage to Courtney was publicly confirmed during September 2025 interviews with 880 CHED and The Jason Gregor Show.
Does Carter O’Donnell have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Carter and Courtney O’Donnell have children.
Who is Carter O’Donnell’s father?
The name of Carter O’Donnell’s father has not been reliably established through official university or professional football biographies.
Who is Carter O’Donnell’s mother?
His mother’s identity has not been publicly confirmed through the reliable sources reviewed.
Does Carter O’Donnell have siblings?
There is no verified public information identifying Carter O’Donnell’s brothers or sisters.
What sport does Carter O’Donnell’s wife play?
Courtney O’Donnell plays rugby union and has represented Canada’s women’s national rugby team in major international tournaments.
Did Carter O’Donnell’s wife play in the Rugby World Cup?
Yes. Courtney O’Donnell represented Canada at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, helping the team reach the final and finish with a silver medal.
Where was Carter O’Donnell raised?
He grew up in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School.
Where did Carter O’Donnell attend university?
Carter attended the University of Alberta, where he studied education and played football for the Golden Bears between 2016 and 2019.
Which NFL teams did Carter O’Donnell play for?
He spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in five regular-season games for Arizona in 2023.
Which CFL team does Carter O’Donnell play for?
Carter O’Donnell plays for the Edmonton Elks. He signed with the organization in September 2025 and earned West Division All-CFL recognition in 2026.
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.
