Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Evan McPherson is an American professional football player who serves as the placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 21, 1999, in Fort Payne, Alabama, McPherson comes from a close-knit family with a remarkable tradition of football kicking.
Beyond his successful NFL career, McPherson is a husband and father of two daughters. He married his longtime girlfriend, Gracie Groat, on July 9, 2022, after a relationship that began during their school years. They welcomed their first daughter, Merritt Hayes McPherson, in March 2024, followed by their second daughter, Millie Elizabeth McPherson, in February 2026.
His parents, LaDon and Amber McPherson, played important roles in his athletic development. He also has two brothers, Logan and Alex McPherson, who both followed the family’s tradition of playing college football as kicking specialists.
Here is everything publicly known about Evan McPherson’s wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Evan McPherson’s Wife: Who Is Gracie McPherson?
Evan McPherson is married to Gracie McPherson, formerly known as Gracie Groat, his longtime girlfriend and high school sweetheart.
The couple grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama, where they developed a relationship during their teenage years.
According to interviews published by the Cincinnati Bengals and WLWT in 2022, Evan and Gracie began dating when he was in ninth grade and she was in eighth grade.
Their relationship continued throughout high school and college, even when their educational paths took them to different universities.
Evan attended the University of Florida, where he played football for the Gators, while Gracie studied at Auburn University in Alabama.
Despite the distance between their universities, they maintained their relationship.
When McPherson entered the NFL with Cincinnati in 2021, Gracie remained an important part of his personal life.
The couple became engaged that year and married the following summer.
Who Is Gracie Groat McPherson?
Gracie McPherson is the wife of Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson and the mother of their two daughters.
She grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama, and attended Auburn University.
Her relationship with Evan began before he became a nationally recognized football player.
During his college career and early professional seasons, Gracie supported him as he developed into one of the NFL’s most recognizable young kickers.
In June 2026, Gracie appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Beyond Sunday podcast with Bengals reporter Kelsey Conway.
During the conversation, she discussed meeting Evan at a young age, leaving their hometown, adapting to life in Cincinnati, and becoming a mother.
She also spoke about her faith and the personal adjustments involved in supporting a professional athlete.
Although Gracie has occasionally shared family moments publicly, she generally maintains a degree of privacy around her personal life.
When Did Evan McPherson and Gracie Get Married?
Evan McPherson and Gracie Groat married on July 9, 2022, in Fort Payne, Alabama.
The wedding took place approximately one year after their engagement.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the couple became engaged in 2021 at Cragsmere Manor in DeKalb County, Alabama.
Their wedding brought together relatives and friends from the hometown where their relationship had begun.
Wedding photographer Nathaly Norman described the ceremony as a celebration of the couple’s long-standing relationship and shared community connections.
The ceremony featured elegant decorations and a reception attended by family members and friends.
Interestingly, McPherson’s Bengals teammate Logan Wilson also married his longtime partner, Morgan, on July 9, 2022.
That coincidence later became even more memorable when both players welcomed their first daughters on the same day in 2024.
Evan McPherson’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Yes. Evan McPherson has two publicly confirmed children with his wife, Gracie McPherson.
Both children are daughters:
- Merritt Hayes McPherson, born on March 15, 2024.
- Millie Elizabeth McPherson, born in February 2026.
The couple’s journey into parenthood has been documented through public announcements and reporting from People magazine, Sports Illustrated, and local Cincinnati news organizations.
Merritt Hayes McPherson: Evan McPherson’s First Daughter
Merritt Hayes McPherson is the eldest daughter of Evan and Gracie McPherson.
She was born on March 15, 2024, weighing seven pounds and four ounces.
The couple announced her birth through a joint Instagram post, sharing photographs from the hospital and their first days together at home.
The announcement attracted national attention because another Bengals player became a father on exactly the same day.
Linebacker Logan Wilson and his wife, Morgan Wilson, welcomed their daughter, Kambry James Wilson, on March 15, 2024.
Both children were born at the same hospital.
According to People magazine and Sports Illustrated, the families celebrated the coincidence by taking photographs together while holding their newborn daughters.
The shared birthday created a memorable connection between the two Bengals families.
McPherson also celebrated becoming a father by wearing clothing featuring the words “Girl Dad.”
Merritt celebrated her second birthday in March 2026.
Millie Elizabeth McPherson: Evan McPherson’s Second Daughter
Millie Elizabeth McPherson is the second daughter of Evan and Gracie McPherson.
She was born in February 2026, according to a Sports Illustrated Lifestyle feature updated in October 2026.
Her arrival expanded the McPherson family to four members.
Millie joined her older sister, Merritt Hayes, who was approaching her second birthday at the time.
Unlike Merritt’s birth, which received extensive attention because of its coincidence with Logan Wilson’s daughter’s birthday, fewer details about Millie’s birth have been widely reported.
As of now, reliable published information confirms her name and birth month, but an exact birth date has not been established in the sources reviewed.
The couple has generally kept additional details about their younger daughter’s life private.
Evan McPherson’s Parents
Evan McPherson was born to LaDon McPherson and Amber McPherson.
His parents raised three sons in Fort Payne, Alabama, and encouraged all of them to participate in sports.
They played particularly important roles in developing their children’s kicking abilities, frequently spending time in the backyard retrieving footballs during practice sessions.
Their family story was documented extensively in a February 2022 Sports Illustrated feature about McPherson’s rise to NFL prominence.
Evan McPherson’s Father: LaDon McPherson
LaDon McPherson is Evan McPherson’s father and one of the most influential people in his development as a football player.
He raised Evan and his brothers, Logan and Alex, alongside his wife, Amber, in Fort Payne.
According to a 2021 Cincinnati Bengals profile, LaDon previously worked in the sock manufacturing business and later became a quality manager for a steel company.
Although LaDon did not become a professional football player, he was closely involved in his sons’ sporting activities.
When Logan developed an interest in kicking, LaDon helped establish backyard practice routines that eventually included all three brothers.
The family regularly practiced using soccer goals and footballs, attempting kicks from different distances.
LaDon and Amber frequently retrieved the balls so their sons could continue practicing.
Over time, these informal sessions helped the brothers become accomplished high school and college kicking specialists.
How LaDon McPherson Supported Evan’s NFL Career
LaDon continued supporting Evan as his football career progressed from Fort Payne High School to the University of Florida and the Cincinnati Bengals.
During Cincinnati’s remarkable playoff run following the 2021 season, he regularly attended games and supported his son from the stands.
In a February 2022 interview with WCPO Cincinnati, LaDon explained that his conversations with Evan before games focused more on emotional support than technical kicking advice.
He wanted his son to enjoy playing football without becoming overwhelmed by pressure.
LaDon also expressed pride in Evan’s humility despite his growing popularity.
Following the Bengals’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, LaDon celebrated with his family as Evan’s decisive field goal secured a place in Super Bowl LVI.
Evan McPherson’s Mother: Amber McPherson
Amber McPherson is Evan McPherson’s mother and another important figure in the family’s football story.
She helped raise Logan, Evan, and Alex in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Published profiles have identified Amber as a family advocate and forensic interviewer associated with the DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center.
She has also been involved in activities at First Baptist Church in Fort Payne.
Amber encouraged her sons to pursue their interests while supporting their education and personal development.
Like LaDon, she spent many hours retrieving footballs during backyard kicking practices.
In Sports Illustrated’s February 2022 profile, Amber recalled how competitive the three brothers were with one another.
Although the younger brothers initially struggled to kick as far as their older siblings, they continued practicing until they improved.
She also explained that the brothers supported each other despite their competitive personalities.
Amber McPherson’s Emotional AFC Championship Celebration
One of Amber McPherson’s most memorable public moments occurred on January 30, 2022.
That day, Evan kicked the winning field goal in overtime as Cincinnati defeated Kansas City 27-24 in the AFC Championship Game.
After the game, Amber ran toward the field to celebrate with her son.
Television cameras captured the emotional reunion between mother and son.
During a subsequent interview with WLWT, Amber described the moment as one of the most memorable experiences of her life.
The victory was particularly meaningful because she had watched Evan practice kicking footballs since childhood.
Her reaction reflected the pride and excitement shared by the entire McPherson family.
Evan McPherson’s Siblings: Meet His Two Brothers
Evan McPherson has two brothers: Logan McPherson and Alex McPherson.
Logan is the oldest brother, Evan is the middle child, and Alex is the youngest.
All three attended Fort Payne High School and became successful kicking specialists.
Their shared sporting background attracted national attention during Evan’s early NFL career.
Logan McPherson: Evan McPherson’s Older Brother
Logan McPherson is Evan McPherson’s oldest brother and the first of the three siblings to develop a serious interest in football kicking.
He initially concentrated on soccer before deciding to try football during eighth grade.
According to Sports Illustrated, Logan discovered that kicking and punting suited his athletic abilities.
His enthusiasm encouraged Evan to begin practicing kicking at home.
Logan later became an accomplished kicker at Fort Payne High School, where he made a 57-yard field goal.
After graduating, he continued his football career at Louisiana Tech University.
He played primarily as a punter for the Bulldogs.
His achievements established an example for both younger brothers.
Before leaving high school, Logan encouraged Evan to develop into an even better kicker.
Evan eventually adopted a similar mentoring role with Alex.
The brothers’ willingness to help one another became an important part of the family’s athletic success.
How Logan McPherson Inspired Evan
Logan’s decision to become a kicker directly influenced Evan’s early football development.
After watching his older brother become enthusiastic about the position, Evan began building his own kicking targets.
He used PVC pipes to create a makeshift goalpost above a soccer goal in the family’s backyard.
The brothers then practiced together, attempting field goals and challenging each other to improve.
Their friendly competition continued during high school.
After Logan kicked a 57-yard field goal, Evan eventually surpassed that distance with a 60-yard attempt.
The achievement became an important milestone in the family’s kicking tradition.
Alex McPherson: Evan McPherson’s Younger Brother
Alex McPherson is Evan McPherson’s youngest brother and another talented American football placekicker.
Born in August 2003, Alex followed his older brothers into competitive football.
He attended Fort Payne High School and became one of the country’s most highly rated high school kicking prospects.
During his school career, Alex successfully converted a 61-yard field goal, surpassing the previous school records established by Logan and Evan.
He also received national recognition from recruiting organizations and participated in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Alex subsequently committed to Auburn University, where he joined the Tigers football program in 2022.
During the 2023 season, he converted all 13 field goal attempts and all 40 extra-point attempts.
His performances earned Freshman All-American recognition.
Alex’s college career also included significant personal challenges, but he continued receiving support from his family and university.
He married his longtime girlfriend, Hannah Simpson, on June 21, 2025, according to a feature published by Birmingham Christian Family magazine.
How Evan McPherson Helped His Younger Brother Alex
Evan has played an important mentoring role in Alex’s development as a kicker.
After learning techniques from Logan, Evan began sharing his own experiences with his youngest brother.
The three siblings continued practicing together whenever possible.
In a February 2022 Sports Illustrated interview, their mother explained that Evan encouraged Alex to keep improving and eventually surpass his achievements.
The brothers’ competitive relationship was built on mutual encouragement rather than rivalry alone.
Alex’s eventual 61-yard high school field goal demonstrated how the family’s tradition continued across all three siblings.
Does Evan McPherson Have a Sister?
There is no publicly confirmed sister in Evan McPherson’s immediate family.
Official athletic biographies and detailed family interviews consistently identify the three sons of LaDon and Amber McPherson as Logan, Evan, and Alex.
No additional sibling has been reliably documented in the sources reviewed.
Evan McPherson’s Childhood and Family Background
Evan McPherson grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama, where sports formed an important part of his childhood.
He initially developed an interest in soccer, which helped him improve his kicking technique, balance, and leg strength.
However, watching his older brother Logan participate in football encouraged him to explore placekicking.
He eventually became a member of the Fort Payne High School football team.
Despite being younger than many teammates, he earned opportunities to kick for the varsity team while still in middle school.
During high school, McPherson developed into one of the leading kicking prospects in the country.
He converted a 60-yard field goal and recorded an 84-yard punt during his senior season.
Both achievements were among the longest recorded in Alabama high school football at the time.
He also participated in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game.
His success attracted scholarship offers from several college football programs.
He ultimately chose the University of Florida.
Evan McPherson’s College Football Career
Evan McPherson attended the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators from 2018 to 2020.
He quickly established himself as one of the Southeastern Conference’s most reliable placekickers.
During his three college seasons, McPherson made 51 of 60 field goal attempts and 149 of 150 extra-point attempts.
His career field goal success rate of 85 percent established an SEC record among kickers meeting the relevant minimum-attempt requirement.
He scored 302 points during his college career.
After his junior season, McPherson declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
His decision reflected his confidence that he could successfully transition from college football to the professional level.
Evan McPherson’s NFL Career and Family Support
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Evan McPherson in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 149th overall pick.
He immediately earned the team’s starting kicker position.
During his rookie season, McPherson developed a reputation for performing well in high-pressure situations.
He converted several decisive field goals, including game-winning kicks against the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs during Cincinnati’s postseason run.
He made all 14 field goal attempts during the playoffs, helping the Bengals advance to Super Bowl LVI.
His performances attracted national attention and earned him the nickname “Money Mac.”
His parents and brothers attended several important games, providing emotional support throughout the season.
McPherson continued developing his NFL career with Cincinnati and signed a contract extension in August 2024.
In November 2025, he established a Bengals franchise record by making a 63-yard field goal against the New England Patriots.
As of now, he remains a member of Cincinnati’s kicking unit.
How Faith Influences Evan McPherson’s Family Life
Christian faith has been an important part of Evan McPherson’s personal and family life.
He grew up in a family involved in church activities in Fort Payne, Alabama.
His parents have spoken publicly about relying on prayer and faith during important moments in their children’s lives.
Evan and Gracie have also discussed their religious beliefs when sharing major personal milestones.
When announcing their first pregnancy in September 2023, Gracie expressed gratitude and excitement about becoming a mother.
In June 2026, she discussed the importance of faith during her appearance on the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Beyond Sunday podcast.
For the McPherson family, religious beliefs remain closely connected to their experiences with marriage, parenthood, and professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Evan McPherson’s Family
Who is Evan McPherson’s wife?
Evan McPherson’s wife is Gracie McPherson, formerly Gracie Groat. They were high school sweethearts and married on July 9, 2022.
Does Evan McPherson have a girlfriend?
Evan McPherson is married to his longtime partner, Gracie McPherson.
When did Evan McPherson get married?
He married Gracie Groat on July 9, 2022, in Fort Payne, Alabama.
How did Evan McPherson meet his wife?
Evan and Gracie began dating during their school years in Fort Payne. He was in ninth grade, while she was in eighth grade.
How many children does Evan McPherson have?
As of now, Evan McPherson has two publicly confirmed children, both daughters.
What are the names of Evan McPherson’s daughters?
His daughters are Merritt Hayes McPherson, born in March 2024, and Millie Elizabeth McPherson, born in February 2026.
When was Merritt Hayes McPherson born?
Merritt Hayes McPherson was born on March 15, 2024.
Who is Millie Elizabeth McPherson?
Millie Elizabeth McPherson is the second daughter of Evan and Gracie McPherson. She was born in February 2026.
Does Evan McPherson have a son?
No son has been publicly confirmed. His two documented children are daughters.
Who are Evan McPherson’s parents?
His parents are LaDon McPherson and Amber McPherson, who raised him and his two brothers in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Who is Evan McPherson’s father?
His father is LaDon McPherson, who worked as a quality manager for a steel company and supported his sons throughout their kicking careers.
Who is Evan McPherson’s mother?
His mother is Amber McPherson, who has worked as a family advocate and has been involved in church activities in Fort Payne.
How many siblings does Evan McPherson have?
Evan McPherson has two brothers: Logan McPherson and Alex McPherson.
Who is Evan McPherson’s older brother?
His older brother is Logan McPherson, a former Louisiana Tech University punter who inspired Evan to begin kicking footballs.
Who is Evan McPherson’s younger brother?
His younger brother is Alex McPherson, who became a successful college football kicker at Auburn University.
Does Evan McPherson have a sister?
No sister has been identified in the family’s official athletic biographies or major published interviews.
Where is Evan McPherson’s family from?
Evan McPherson and his family are from Fort Payne, Alabama.
When was Evan McPherson born?
Evan McPherson was born on July 21, 1999.
Which NFL team does Evan McPherson play for?
As of now, Evan McPherson is the placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 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.
