Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Grant Stuard is an American professional football player who plays as an inside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 15, 1998, in Texas, Stuard played college football at the University of Houston before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Grant Stuard’s family includes his wife, Josie Stuard, their son, Elihu Stuard, his father, Dawayne Stuard, his mother, Laurel Montgomery, and his four younger siblings: JoJo, Alex, Malachi and Samaria. His childhood involved significant family difficulties, including his parents’ struggles with addiction and periods of financial instability.
Despite these challenges, Stuard helped care for his younger siblings while pursuing his football ambitions. His experiences shaped his commitment to family, Christian faith and helping young people facing difficult circumstances.
Grant Stuard’s Wife: Josie Stuard
As of now, Grant Stuard is married to Josie Stuard, formerly Josie Reid. The couple married on July 1, 2021, in Houston, Texas, according to their public wedding website.
Josie is a former University of Houston cheerleader who met Grant during their college years.
The couple began dating while Stuard was playing football for the Houston Cougars, and their relationship continued as he prepared for a professional football career.
According to a biography published by Players Bio in October 2023, the couple publicly shared photographs of their relationship in 2019.
Grant proposed to Josie in July 2020, approximately one year before their wedding.
Throughout their relationship, both have publicly emphasized the importance of their Christian faith.
Grant Stuard and Josie Reid’s Wedding
Grant Stuard and Josie Reid married on July 1, 2021, in Houston, Texas.
Their wedding took place shortly after Stuard was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The couple celebrated with relatives and friends before traveling to the Bahamas for their honeymoon.
According to their wedding website, the ceremony and reception were planned as a celebration bringing together their closest loved ones.
Following their marriage, Josie continued supporting Grant as he began his NFL career with Tampa Bay and later joined the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2022, the couple purchased a home together, marking another important milestone in their marriage.
They have also worked together on charitable projects, including the Stuardship Foundation, which provides opportunities and support for children from disadvantaged communities.
In December 2023, the Indianapolis Colts confirmed that Grant and Josie had established the foundation while they were students at the University of Houston.
Grant Stuard’s Children
Grant Stuard is a father. He and his wife, Josie Stuard, welcomed a son named Elihu on May 24, 2024.
The child’s birth was confirmed in an August 22, 2024, article published by Sports Spectrum, which discussed Stuard’s personal life and family background.
As of now, Elihu is the only child of Grant and Josie Stuard whose birth has been independently confirmed in reliable public reporting.
Elihu Stuard: Grant Stuard’s Son
Elihu Da’laine Stuard is Grant Stuard’s son with his wife, Josie.
He was born on May 24, 2024, during Grant’s time with the Indianapolis Colts.
His arrival marked an important moment for the family, particularly given Grant’s difficult childhood and the responsibilities he assumed while helping raise his younger siblings.
According to Sports Spectrum, Elihu’s birth brought together several members of the Stuard family, including Grant’s mother, Laurel, and his siblings.
The occasion was especially meaningful because the family had experienced years of challenges before developing stronger relationships.
Grant has spoken about how his experiences growing up influenced his desire to provide stability and support for his own family.
In July 2025, Houston television station KPRC 2 reported that Stuard was spending time with his wife and son while continuing his NFL career.
Although Elihu’s name and birth date are publicly documented, his parents generally keep additional information about his upbringing private.
Grant Stuard’s Parents
Grant Stuard’s parents are Dawayne Stuard and Laurel Montgomery.
Stuard grew up in the Houston metropolitan area, where his family experienced significant difficulties involving substance addiction, unstable housing and financial hardship.
In a detailed July 2024 interview with The Athletic, Stuard discussed how his parents’ circumstances forced him to assume responsibilities normally associated with adulthood while he was still a child.
However, he has also spoken about how his relationships with both parents improved as the family began addressing its past difficulties.
Grant Stuard’s Father: Dawayne Stuard
Dawayne Stuard is Grant Stuard’s father and a former semi-professional football player.
According to reporting published by The Athletic in July 2024, Dawayne played an important role in introducing Grant to football during childhood.
He encouraged his son to compete intensely and develop a strong work ethic on the field.
However, Dawayne also experienced serious legal and personal difficulties that affected his relationship with his children.
He spent periods of Grant’s childhood in prison and was frequently absent from the family home.
In interviews following the 2021 NFL Draft, Stuard explained that his father’s absence contributed to the instability he and his siblings experienced.
Despite these difficulties, Dawayne sometimes attended Grant’s football practices and games.
As Grant grew older, their relationship gradually improved.
During the 2021 NFL Draft, Dawayne was present when his son received the phone call informing him that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had selected him.
In an unusual coincidence, Dawayne had brought a vintage Buccaneers cap to the family’s draft celebration before knowing which team would select Grant.
The moment became a memorable part of the family’s celebration.
Following the draft, Grant publicly acknowledged that his father had become more involved in the family and was helping his younger brother participate in sports.
By 2024, reporting from The Athletic indicated that father and son had continued rebuilding their relationship.
Grant Stuard’s Mother: Laurel Montgomery
Laurel Montgomery is Grant Stuard’s mother. Her personal journey and relationship with her children received national attention following her son’s entry into the NFL.
According to a July 2024 investigation published by The Athletic, Laurel experienced substance addiction beginning during her teenage years.
Her difficulties continued throughout much of Grant’s childhood, creating challenges for the family.
Grant recalled experiencing periods when the family lacked stable housing, sufficient food and reliable parental supervision.
As the oldest child, he often assumed responsibility for helping care for his younger siblings.
Despite these experiences, Stuard continued pursuing his education and football career.
He eventually began encouraging his mother to seek professional treatment for her addiction.
After several unsuccessful attempts at recovery, Laurel entered Turning Point, a rehabilitation center in Tampa, Florida.
According to Sports Spectrum’s August 2024 profile, Laurel successfully completed treatment and later began working at the same facility, helping other people experiencing substance addiction.
The report described her recovery as an important turning point in the family’s relationships.
Laurel was also present during significant milestones in Grant’s professional career.
She participated in the family celebration when he was selected by the Buccaneers in 2021.
In May 2024, she became a grandmother when Grant and Josie welcomed their son, Elihu.
Her recovery and renewed connection with her children have remained important parts of the family’s publicly documented story.
Grant Stuard’s Siblings
Grant Stuard has four younger siblings: JoJo, Alex, Malachi and Samaria.
He personally confirmed their names in an October 31, 2019, interview with Houston television station KPRC 2.
During the interview, Stuard explained that his siblings were among the most important people in his life.
He also revealed that he used their initials, J.A.M.S., as a personal reminder of his responsibilities toward them.
Stuard frequently displayed the initials on his football cleats, using them as motivation during games.
JoJo Stuard: Grant Stuard’s Brother
JoJo is one of Grant Stuard’s younger brothers.
His relationship with Grant has been discussed in several detailed interviews about the family’s difficult upbringing.
According to The Athletic’s July 2024 report, Grant frequently helped care for JoJo during childhood while their parents were unavailable.
He prepared meals, helped him get to school and tried to provide stability during periods of uncertainty.
Grant’s responsibilities toward JoJo were among the reasons he decided to remain close to Houston while pursuing college football.
Although he received interest from universities outside Texas, Stuard ultimately chose the University of Houston, allowing him to remain near his younger siblings.
In July 2024, The Athletic reported that JoJo was attending Houston Christian University.
Grant has frequently described his younger brother as an important source of motivation throughout his football career.
Alex Stuard: Grant Stuard’s Sibling
Alex is one of Grant Stuard’s four younger siblings.
Grant confirmed Alex’s name during his October 2019 interview with KPRC 2.
He explained that the initials of his four siblings formed J.A.M.S., a combination he regularly displayed on his football cleats.
Alex grew up as part of the Stuard family during the period when Grant was helping provide guidance and financial assistance to his younger siblings.
However, publicly available reliable sources provide limited information about Alex’s education, occupation and personal life.
Additional biographical details therefore remain unconfirmed.
Malachi Stuard: Grant Stuard’s Sibling
Malachi is another of Grant Stuard’s younger siblings.
Malachi’s name was publicly confirmed by Grant during the same October 2019 interview with KPRC 2.
Stuard explained that his relationship with his siblings was one of his biggest motivations as a college football player.
He wanted to demonstrate through his actions that difficult childhood circumstances did not have to prevent someone from achieving personal goals.
Although Malachi is publicly identified as a member of Grant’s family, reliable information about Malachi’s education, professional activities and personal relationships remains limited.
Samaria Stuard: Grant Stuard’s Sister
Samaria is Grant Stuard’s younger sister and one of the family members whose upbringing he helped support.
Her experiences were discussed extensively in The Athletic’s July 2024 investigation into Grant’s family background.
During childhood, Samaria faced many of the same difficulties as her older brother, including unstable living arrangements and their parents’ struggles with addiction.
As Grant entered adulthood, he became increasingly concerned about her safety and well-being.
He eventually sought legal custody of Samaria to provide her with a more stable environment.
According to The Athletic, their mother, Laurel, agreed to the arrangement and completed the necessary documentation.
Grant’s decision reflected the significant responsibilities he had assumed toward his younger siblings.
By July 2024, Samaria was preparing to attend the University of Central Florida, according to the same report.
Her educational progress became another meaningful milestone for the family.
How Grant Stuard’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Grant Stuard grew up near Houston, Texas, and attended Oak Ridge High School in Conroe.
His family circumstances created significant challenges, including uncertainty about housing, meals and parental supervision.
However, football provided an important source of structure during his childhood.
At Oak Ridge, Stuard developed into a talented defensive player and earned opportunities to continue his athletic career at the college level.
He eventually accepted a scholarship to the University of Houston, partly because remaining close to home would allow him to continue supporting his siblings.
Stuard played for the Houston Cougars from 2017 through 2020.
During his college career, he developed a reputation for physical tackling, determination and leadership.
In 2019, he earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference recognition after recording 97 tackles.
He followed that performance with 61 tackles during the shortened 2020 season, receiving first-team All-AAC honors.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the 259th overall pick.
Because he was the final player chosen, Stuard received the traditional title of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Despite entering the league as the final draft selection, he established himself as an effective special teams player.
He spent the 2021 season with Tampa Bay before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in August 2022.
With Indianapolis, he continued developing as a linebacker and special teams contributor.
In October 2024, Stuard recorded a career-high 19 tackles against the Miami Dolphins during his first NFL start.
He subsequently joined the Detroit Lions for the 2025 season.
On March 16, 2026, the Los Angeles Rams announced that they had signed Stuard to a two-year contract.
The move brought the veteran linebacker to Los Angeles, where he continued contributing on special teams and providing defensive depth.
Grant Stuard’s Family and Charitable Foundation
Grant Stuard and his wife, Josie, established the Stuardship Foundation to provide opportunities for young people facing difficult circumstances.
According to the Indianapolis Colts, the couple began developing the foundation while attending the University of Houston.
The organization focuses on encouraging children through sports, education, mentorship and community support.
One of its major initiatives is an annual youth football camp in Houston.
During the events, Stuard and other athletes provide football instruction while discussing the importance of education, personal responsibility and positive decision-making.
In July 2023, Stuard explained to KPRC 2 that he wanted children to understand that their current circumstances did not have to determine their future opportunities.
His experiences growing up in a household affected by addiction also inspired him to support organizations assisting vulnerable women and families.
During his college pro day in 2021, Stuard raised money for Heels to Halos, a Christian organization supporting women affected by exploitation and trafficking.
His charitable work remains closely connected to the values and experiences that shaped his childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grant Stuard’s Family
Who is Grant Stuard’s wife?
Grant Stuard’s wife is Josie Stuard, formerly Josie Reid. The couple met during their college years at the University of Houston and married in July 2021.
Does Grant Stuard have a girlfriend?
As of now, Grant Stuard is married to his longtime partner, Josie Stuard, rather than publicly dating a girlfriend.
When did Grant Stuard get married?
Grant Stuard married Josie Reid on July 1, 2021, in Houston, Texas.
Does Grant Stuard have children?
Yes. Grant Stuard and his wife, Josie, have a son named Elihu, born on May 24, 2024.
Who is Grant Stuard’s son?
His son is Elihu Da’laine Stuard, whose birth was publicly reported by Sports Spectrum in August 2024.
Who are Grant Stuard’s parents?
Grant Stuard’s parents are Dawayne Stuard and Laurel Montgomery. Both experienced personal difficulties during his childhood, but their family relationships improved over time.
Who is Grant Stuard’s father?
His father is Dawayne Stuard, a former semi-professional football player who helped introduce Grant to the sport.
Who is Grant Stuard’s mother?
His mother is Laurel Montgomery, who received treatment for substance addiction and later worked at a rehabilitation facility helping others in recovery.
How many siblings does Grant Stuard have?
Grant Stuard has four younger siblings: JoJo, Alex, Malachi and Samaria.
Who is Grant Stuard’s brother JoJo?
JoJo is Grant Stuard’s younger brother, whom Grant helped care for during childhood. In 2024, JoJo was attending Houston Christian University.
Who is Grant Stuard’s sister Samaria?
Samaria is Grant Stuard’s younger sister. Grant sought custody of her during a difficult period in their family’s life to provide a safer and more stable home environment.
What does J.A.M.S. mean on Grant Stuard’s cleats?
J.A.M.S. represents the first initials of Grant Stuard’s four younger siblings: JoJo, Alex, Malachi and Samaria.
Where is Grant Stuard’s family from?
Grant Stuard grew up in the Houston metropolitan area of Texas and attended Oak Ridge High School in Conroe.
What NFL team does Grant Stuard play for?
Grant Stuard plays for the Los Angeles Rams, who signed him to a two-year contract in March 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.
