Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Del’Shawn Phillips is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 9, 1996, Phillips grew up in Highland Park, Michigan, and developed into a professional football player after overcoming several challenges during his college career.
Phillips’ parents are Latashia Phillips and Shawn Gaines, while he has a daughter named Karter Phillips. His family background is documented in official University of Illinois and Buffalo Bills biographies. However, the linebacker has kept much of his romantic life private, and reliable information about his brothers and sisters remains limited.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Girlfriend or Wife
As of now, Del’Shawn Phillips has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or wife. There is no reliable, independently verified information establishing that the Los Angeles Chargers linebacker is married.
Although Phillips has a daughter, he has generally kept his romantic relationships outside the public spotlight. His official NFL biographies provide information about his child and parents but do not identify a spouse or romantic partner.
Several online biographies discuss his relationship status, but they do not provide sufficient evidence to determine whether he is currently dating someone, engaged or married.
The identity of his daughter’s mother has also not been established through reliable public sports reporting.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify a girlfriend or wife without confirmation from Phillips or another credible source.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Children
Del’Shawn Phillips is the father of at least one child, a daughter named Karter Phillips.
Her identity was officially confirmed in the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 media guide, which included information about Phillips’ personal life and family background.
According to that publication, Karter was two years old at the time, indicating that she was born around 2018.
Although Phillips has publicly documented his status as a father through official NFL biographical records, he has generally protected his daughter’s privacy.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Daughter: Karter Phillips
Karter Phillips is the daughter of NFL linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips.
Her name appears in his official Buffalo Bills player biography, published during the 2020 NFL season.
The document identifies Karter as his two-year-old daughter, providing direct confirmation of his parenthood.
However, her exact date of birth has not been independently established through official NFL reporting.
Phillips has not widely discussed Karter’s upbringing, education or other personal details in major sports interviews.
As of now, Karter remains his only child whose identity has been verified through an official NFL team publication.
There is no reliable public information confirming whether Phillips has additional sons or daughters.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Parents
Del’Shawn Phillips was born to Latashia Phillips and Shawn Gaines.
Both parents are identified in his official University of Illinois athletics biography and the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 media guide.
Phillips grew up in Highland Park, a city surrounded by Detroit, Michigan, where he developed his interest in American football at an early age.
Although his parents’ identities are confirmed, they have generally remained outside the public spotlight.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Mother: Latashia Phillips
Del’Shawn Phillips’ mother is Latashia Phillips, whose name appears in multiple official football biographies.
The University of Illinois identified Latashia as one of his parents when Phillips joined the Fighting Illini football program.
She is also named in the Buffalo Bills’ official media guide, which documents his personal background and early football development.
Phillips began participating in organized football when he was approximately six years old, playing for a youth team called the Jets in Highland Park.
He later attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he became a promising defensive player.
Although Latashia is part of his publicly documented family background, specific details about her professional occupation, education and personal life have not been reliably established in major sports publications.
There is also insufficient verified information to describe her precise involvement in individual decisions during Phillips’ football career.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Father: Shawn Gaines
Del’Shawn Phillips’ father is Shawn Gaines, who is identified in his official University of Illinois and Buffalo Bills biographies.
Phillips was raised in the Highland Park and Detroit area, where he developed his athletic abilities before pursuing college football.
His early football experiences included competing for Cass Technical High School, a program recognized for producing professional athletes.
Although Shawn Gaines is confirmed as Phillips’ father, additional information about his occupation, background and personal life has not been widely disclosed.
Reliable public interviews also provide limited information about the specific role he played in his son’s athletic development.
Consequently, details about his professional career or other personal circumstances should not be presented as established facts without additional confirmation.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Siblings
As of now, the identities and number of Del’Shawn Phillips’ siblings have not been reliably established in publicly available sports biographies.
His official University of Illinois player profile identifies his parents but does not list any brothers or sisters.
Similarly, the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 media guide confirms his daughter and parents without providing information about siblings.
Although some football players have publicly discussed their brothers and sisters in interviews, Phillips has not provided enough widely documented information to establish the complete composition of his immediate family.
Therefore, it remains unclear whether he has older or younger brothers, sisters or is an only child.
The absence of public information should not be interpreted as evidence that he has no siblings.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Childhood and Family Background
Del’Shawn Phillips was born on October 9, 1996, and grew up in Highland Park, Michigan.
He developed an interest in American football during childhood, beginning organized participation at approximately six years old.
According to his Buffalo Bills biography, Phillips initially played for a youth football team called the Jets in Highland Park.
He subsequently attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he became an accomplished football player under head coach Thomas Wilcher.
During his high school career, Phillips contributed to one of Michigan’s most successful football programs.
He was part of Cass Tech teams that won state championships in 2011 and 2012 and earned All-City recognition in 2014.
The school also produced several other NFL players, including Jourdan Lewis, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Delano Hill and Mike Weber.
Phillips originally planned to continue his football career at Western Michigan University.
However, academic eligibility requirements prevented him from immediately enrolling as a football player, forcing him to reconsider his educational plans.
Rather than abandon his professional ambitions, Phillips spent time improving his academic situation before continuing his career at the junior college level.
How Del’Shawn Phillips Overcame Challenges to Reach the NFL
Del’Shawn Phillips’ journey to professional football was not straightforward.
After his initial plans to attend Western Michigan were disrupted, he took online courses at a community college before joining Garden City Community College in Kansas.
At Garden City, Phillips developed into one of the leading junior college linebackers in the country.
During the 2015 season, he recorded 72 tackles and seven sacks, establishing himself as an important member of the defense.
He followed that performance with another productive season in 2016, recording 95 tackles and helping Garden City win the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship.
His performances attracted attention from several major college football programs.
Phillips eventually committed to the University of Illinois, where he continued his education and competed in the Big Ten Conference.
During his first season with the Fighting Illini in 2017, he became a regular starter and led the team with 85 tackles.
In 2018, Phillips was selected as a team captain and again became one of Illinois’ leading defensive players.
He finished his senior season with 95 tackles and four interceptions, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.
He also received Academic All-Big Ten honors and graduated with a degree in sport management.
Reflecting on his development, Phillips has acknowledged that his early academic difficulties taught him the importance of maturity, discipline and making responsible decisions.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ NFL Career
After completing his college career, Del’Shawn Phillips entered the 2019 NFL Draft but was not selected.
He subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional football journey.
Although he did not make Atlanta’s final regular-season roster, he continued pursuing opportunities and later joined the Buffalo Bills.
Phillips made his NFL regular-season debut with Buffalo in 2020 before signing with the New York Jets in March 2021.
He subsequently played for the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, contributing primarily on special teams and providing defensive depth.
In 2024, Phillips joined the Houston Texans, where he continued establishing himself as a reliable special teams contributor.
He earned Second-Team All-Pro recognition from The Associated Press for his special teams performances that season.
Phillips joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 and remained with the organization during the 2026 NFL season.
His professional development reflects the persistence that helped him overcome academic setbacks and progress from junior college football to a long-term NFL career.
Del’Shawn Phillips’ Foundation and Community Involvement
Beyond football, Del’Shawn Phillips has participated in charitable activities supporting families and young people, particularly in Michigan.
In December 2023, CBS Detroit reported that Phillips partnered with the Mercy Education Project to distribute winter clothing, food and toys to economically disadvantaged families.
The event took place in Detroit and involved the Del’Shawn Phillips Foundation.
Families attending the initiative received jackets, gloves and other winter necessities during the holiday season.
Phillips has also participated in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, which allows players to promote charitable causes through specially designed footwear.
During the 2023 season with Baltimore and the 2024 season with Houston, his foundation was identified as the organization he chose to support.
These initiatives highlight his continued connection to the Michigan community where he grew up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Del’Shawn Phillips’ Family
Who is Del’Shawn Phillips’ girlfriend?
As of now, Del’Shawn Phillips has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner.
Is Del’Shawn Phillips married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Del’Shawn Phillips is married or has a wife.
Does Del’Shawn Phillips have children?
Yes. Del’Shawn Phillips has at least one daughter named Karter Phillips, as confirmed in the Buffalo Bills’ official 2020 media guide.
Who is Del’Shawn Phillips’ daughter?
His daughter is Karter Phillips, who was identified as two years old in the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 player biography.
Who is Del’Shawn Phillips’ father?
His father is Shawn Gaines, whose name is confirmed in his official University of Illinois athletics biography.
Who is Del’Shawn Phillips’ mother?
His mother is Latashia Phillips, who is identified in both his University of Illinois and Buffalo Bills biographies.
Does Del’Shawn Phillips have siblings?
The number and identities of Del’Shawn Phillips’ brothers and sisters have not been reliably established in official NFL or college football biographies.
Who is the mother of Del’Shawn Phillips’ daughter?
The identity of Karter Phillips’ mother has not been independently confirmed in reliable public sports reporting.
Where is Del’Shawn Phillips’ family from?
Del’Shawn Phillips grew up in Highland Park, Michigan, near Detroit, where he began playing organized football during childhood.
How old is Del’Shawn Phillips?
Born on October 9, 1996, Del’Shawn Phillips is 30 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.
