Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Jason Sanders, whose full name is Jason Thomas Sanders, is an American football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 16, 1995, Sanders grew up in Orange, California, where he developed his athletic abilities before becoming a successful college football player at the University of New Mexico.
Beyond his professional football career, Sanders comes from a family with strong military connections and an interest in competitive sports. His parents are Thomas Sanders and Teresa Sanders, and he has three older brothers named Matthew, Daniel and Andrew Sanders.
As of now, Jason Sanders is married to Kaitlyn Calabuig Sanders, a nurse whom he met through a mutual friend in 2016. The couple married on July 8, 2023, in Malibu, California. Although their relationship and wedding are publicly documented, there are no reliable public announcements confirming that they have children.
Jason Sanders’s Girlfriend or Wife
Jason Sanders’s wife is Kaitlyn Calabuig Sanders, his longtime girlfriend and romantic partner before their marriage in July 2023.
The couple began their relationship in 2016, when Jason was attending the University of New Mexico and Kaitlyn was studying in California.
According to an exclusive interview published by People magazine on July 10, 2023, they were introduced by a mutual friend named Jen Munoz.
At the time, Sanders was concentrating on his college football career, while Kaitlyn was preparing to enter nursing school.
Jen believed that Jason and Kaitlyn would make a compatible couple and encouraged Jason to contact her.
The introduction eventually developed into a long-distance relationship.
Because they were attending college in different states, the couple frequently communicated through text messages and FaceTime calls.
Kaitlyn later explained that their shared dedication to demanding careers helped strengthen their relationship.
While Jason was pursuing his dream of becoming an NFL kicker, Kaitlyn was working toward becoming a healthcare professional.
Despite the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship, they supported each other’s ambitions and continued building their future together.
Who Is Kaitlyn Calabuig?
Kaitlyn Calabuig, now known as Kaitlyn Sanders, is a registered nurse and the wife of New York Jets kicker Jason Sanders.
Like Jason, she grew up in Orange County, California.
She developed an interest in healthcare and pursued nursing studies while Jason attended the University of New Mexico.
After graduating from nursing school, Kaitlyn received a job offer to work in an intensive care unit in Miami, Florida.
She subsequently relocated to Miami to live closer to Jason, who had joined the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
The move allowed the couple to spend more time together after maintaining their relationship across different states for several years.
In her July 2023 interview with People magazine, Kaitlyn discussed how important it had been for both of them to understand the pressures associated with demanding careers.
She described their relationship as one built on mutual encouragement, patience and shared goals.
Although Kaitlyn has appeared in public wedding coverage, additional verified information about her professional activities and personal background remains limited.
Jason Sanders and Kaitlyn Calabuig’s Engagement
Jason Sanders proposed to Kaitlyn Calabuig after approximately five years together.
According to the couple’s interview with People magazine, the engagement took place during a romantic trip to the Florida Keys.
During Jason’s offseason with the Dolphins, the couple frequently traveled to the Florida Keys for short vacations.
Those trips became meaningful parts of their relationship, making the location an appropriate setting for the proposal.
On the day of the engagement, Sanders arranged a sunset dinner near the water.
He then invited Kaitlyn to walk with him along a pier, where he got down on one knee and proposed.
Kaitlyn accepted, and the couple began preparing for their wedding.
Jason Sanders and Kaitlyn Calabuig’s Wedding
Jason Sanders and Kaitlyn Calabuig married on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Cielo Farms in Malibu, California.
The ceremony was attended by close friends and family members.
Both Jason and Kaitlyn originally came from California, making the decision to marry in their home state especially meaningful.
According to People magazine, Kaitlyn immediately felt an emotional connection to Cielo Farms when she first visited the venue.
The couple chose a modern, romantic wedding design featuring neutral colors, floral arrangements and elegant furnishings.
Kaitlyn wore a wedding gown designed by Netta BenShabu, while the celebration was organized with assistance from Crowned Events.
Photographer Jenny Quicksall documented the wedding, capturing the ceremony and reception.
The couple celebrated with guests before sharing their first dance and enjoying a wedding reception that included a specially designed cake.
Following the wedding, Jason and Kaitlyn expressed excitement about spending time together before returning to their professional responsibilities.
The marriage marked an important milestone in a relationship that had begun approximately seven years earlier.
Jason Sanders’s Children
As of now, Jason Sanders has no publicly confirmed children.
Although Sanders married Kaitlyn Calabuig in July 2023, neither the NFL player nor established news organizations have published a verified announcement identifying the couple as parents.
Their wedding interview focused on their relationship, careers and plans to spend time together, rather than announcing any children.
Sanders has also maintained considerable privacy regarding his family life outside football.
Consequently, there is insufficient reliable public information to establish whether he has a son or daughter.
Some reporting about Sanders’s brothers mentions nieces and other relatives, but those children should not be mistaken for Jason’s own children.
Without a verified announcement, the number and identities of any children remain unconfirmed.
Jason Sanders’s Parents
Jason Sanders was born to Thomas Sanders and Teresa Sanders, who raised him and his three brothers in California.
Both parents are officially identified in his University of New Mexico football biography.
The Sanders family has a strong connection to military service. His father served in the United States Air Force, and two of his brothers also pursued military careers.
Sanders was the youngest of four children, growing up in a household where discipline, responsibility and competitive athletics were important influences.
Thomas Sanders – Father
Thomas Sanders is Jason Sanders’s father and a former member of the United States Air Force.
His military background was publicly confirmed in May 2018 by Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.
During an interview following the NFL Draft, Rizzi discussed the qualities that made Sanders an appealing prospect for Miami.
He highlighted Jason’s maturity, confidence and competitive personality while explaining that the young kicker came from a military family.
Rizzi confirmed that Thomas had served in the Air Force and that two of Jason’s brothers were also serving in the military.
That family background helped the Dolphins’ coaching staff appreciate the environment in which Sanders had grown up.
Jason demonstrated strong discipline and emotional control, qualities that became particularly important in the demanding position of NFL placekicker.
Unlike players who participate in dozens of offensive or defensive snaps, kickers sometimes receive only a few opportunities to influence a game.
Maintaining composure under pressure is therefore essential.
Although Thomas’s military service is documented, reliable public information concerning his specific rank, assignments and later professional activities remains limited.
Teresa Sanders – Mother
Teresa Sanders is Jason Sanders’s mother.
Her identity is officially confirmed in the University of New Mexico’s football biography, which identifies Thomas and Teresa Sanders as Jason’s parents.
Teresa helped raise Jason and his three older brothers in Orange County, California.
During Jason’s childhood, the family supported his interest in athletics, particularly soccer.
Sanders became involved in competitive soccer before eventually discovering his abilities as an American football kicker.
His development eventually led him to Villa Park High School and later the University of New Mexico.
Although Teresa has maintained a relatively private public profile, her relationship to Jason is established through official university records.
Reliable reporting does not provide extensive details about her occupation, education or personal activities.
Consequently, further claims about her professional background would require additional verified information.
Jason Sanders’s Siblings
Jason Sanders has three older brothers named Matthew Sanders, Daniel Sanders and Andrew Sanders.
All three are identified in his official University of New Mexico football biography.
According to a May 2018 Miami Dolphins interview, Jason is the youngest of the four sons.
Two of his brothers served in the United States Air Force, while at least one older brother influenced Jason’s decision to begin kicking footballs during high school.
Matthew Sanders – Older Brother
Matthew Sanders is one of Jason Sanders’s older brothers.
His identity is documented in Jason’s official University of New Mexico player biography.
According to a November 2024 profile published by EssentiallySports, Matthew is one of the two Sanders brothers who served in the United States Air Force.
The same report identified his brother Andrew as another family member with military experience.
This account is consistent with the 2018 Miami Dolphins reporting that confirmed two of Jason’s brothers were serving in the Air Force.
However, detailed public information about Matthew’s military assignments, occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
His military background reflects the family’s longstanding connection to service in the United States Armed Forces.
Daniel Sanders – Older Brother
Daniel Sanders, also known as Dan Sanders, is another of Jason Sanders’s older brothers.
His identity is confirmed by the University of New Mexico’s official football biography.
Daniel has also appeared in reporting about his brother’s NFL career.
In December 2019, he publicly celebrated one of Jason’s most unusual professional football achievements.
During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dolphins executed a fake field goal that resulted in Jason catching a touchdown pass.
The play attracted national attention because it was an extremely rare achievement for an NFL placekicker.
According to EssentiallySports, Daniel shared a social media message celebrating the touchdown reception.
His reaction demonstrated the family’s continued interest in Jason’s professional achievements.
Daniel has otherwise maintained a relatively private public profile, and detailed information about his professional career remains limited.
Andrew Sanders – Older Brother
Andrew Sanders is another of Jason Sanders’s older brothers and a publicly documented supporter of his football career.
According to a November 2024 report published by EssentiallySports, Andrew also served in the United States Air Force.
He has shared social media posts celebrating several important milestones in Jason’s athletic development.
When Jason began playing college football at New Mexico, Andrew expressed excitement about seeing his younger brother compete at the Division I level.
He also celebrated Jason’s selection by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft.
In a social media message discussed by EssentiallySports, Andrew praised the work Jason had dedicated to becoming a professional football player.
His support continued throughout Jason’s career with Miami.
Andrew also publicly congratulated Jason and Kaitlyn following their wedding in July 2023.
These documented moments demonstrate the close connection between the brothers and their shared appreciation for important family milestones.
How Jason Sanders’s Brothers Influenced His Football Career
One of the most important influences on Jason Sanders’s early football career came from an older brother who played as a kicker at Villa Park High School.
Before becoming interested in American football, Jason primarily played soccer.
During an interview published by the Miami Dolphins in May 2018, Sanders explained that his older brother had enjoyed success as the high school’s kicker.
The football coaching staff subsequently encouraged Jason to try kicking because of his soccer background and his family’s athletic experience.
Initially, Jason was reluctant to switch sports.
However, watching his brother succeed helped him recognize that he could also become an effective football kicker.
He eventually accepted the opportunity and began concentrating more seriously on kicking during his junior year.
In a February 2014 interview with Kicking World, Sanders confirmed that he followed his brother into football kicking because he admired his example.
Although the official Dolphins interview did not identify which brother had played the position, the family connection is directly supported by Sanders’s own comments.
That decision ultimately transformed his sporting career.
Jason Sanders’s Family Background and Childhood
Jason Sanders grew up in Orange, California, where he attended Villa Park High School.
His childhood combined competitive sports with the influence of a military family.
As the youngest of four brothers, Sanders grew up around older siblings who pursued different interests, including military service and athletics.
During high school, he initially participated in soccer.
According to his official college biography, Sanders played for Villa Park’s boys soccer team during the 2012 season.
He recorded 13 goals and six assists in 19 matches, demonstrating his coordination and kicking ability.
His soccer background eventually became an important advantage when he began playing American football.
After following his older brother into the kicking position, Sanders developed into one of California’s more promising high school specialists.
He earned Century League Special Teams Player of the Year recognition during his senior season in 2013.
He also received All-Century League and All-State recognition earlier in his high school career.
His performances attracted recruiting interest from universities including Washington, Utah, Virginia Tech and Colorado.
Sanders ultimately committed to the University of New Mexico.
Jason Sanders’s College Football Career
Jason Sanders played college football at the University of New Mexico from 2014 through 2017.
He began his freshman season primarily handling kickoff duties for the Lobos.
During the following seasons, his responsibilities expanded to include field goals and extra-point attempts.
Sanders became known for his powerful kicking leg and ability to produce touchbacks on kickoffs.
During the 2016 season, he successfully converted all 59 extra-point attempts and made 11 of 12 field-goal attempts.
His performances earned Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week recognition on multiple occasions.
In 2017, Sanders made a game-winning 53-yard field goal against Tulsa, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
He finished his college career having converted 111 of 112 extra-point attempts and 25 of 35 field-goal attempts.
He also earned Mountain West All-Academic recognition, reflecting his commitment to education alongside athletics.
Following his senior season, Sanders began preparing for the NFL Draft.
Jason Sanders’s NFL Career and Family Support
Jason Sanders entered the 2018 NFL Draft after completing his college football career at New Mexico.
The Miami Dolphins selected him in the seventh round with the 229th overall pick.
He immediately became the team’s primary placekicker and developed into an important contributor on special teams.
During his rookie season, Sanders converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts.
He also produced several memorable performances, including a game-winning field goal against the Chicago Bears in overtime.
In 2019, he caught a touchdown pass during the Dolphins’ memorable fake-field-goal play against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sanders enjoyed one of his best professional seasons in 2020, converting 36 of 39 field-goal attempts.
His performance earned first-team All-Pro recognition and established him among the NFL’s leading kickers.
In February 2021, Miami rewarded him with a five-year contract extension.
His personal life also reached an important milestone when he married Kaitlyn Calabuig in July 2023.
During the 2024 season, Sanders established a Dolphins franchise record by making 27 consecutive field goals.
Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2025 season because of a hip injury.
The Dolphins released him in March 2026, ending his eight-year association with the franchise.
He subsequently signed with the New York Giants before joining the New York Jets on June 3, 2026.
After beginning the regular season on the Jets’ practice squad, he was elevated for the team’s first three games.
On September 29, 2026, the Jets signed Sanders to their active roster after he successfully converted five of his first six field-goal attempts.
As of now, Sanders continues his professional career in New York, having established himself as one of the most accomplished kickers in Miami Dolphins history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jason Sanders’s Family
Who is Jason Sanders’s girlfriend?
Jason Sanders’s longtime girlfriend was Kaitlyn Calabuig, a registered nurse from California. The couple married in July 2023.
Is Jason Sanders married?
Yes. Jason Sanders is married to Kaitlyn Calabuig Sanders. Their wedding took place on July 8, 2023, in Malibu, California.
Who is Jason Sanders’s wife?
His wife is Kaitlyn Calabuig Sanders, a nurse whom he met through a mutual friend in 2016.
When did Jason Sanders get married?
Jason Sanders married Kaitlyn Calabuig on July 8, 2023, at Cielo Farms in Malibu, California.
Does Jason Sanders have children?
As of now, Jason Sanders has no publicly confirmed children. There have been no verified announcements establishing that he is the father of a son or daughter.
Who are Jason Sanders’s parents?
His parents are Thomas Sanders and Teresa Sanders, according to his official University of New Mexico football biography.
Who is Jason Sanders’s father?
His father is Thomas Sanders, who served in the United States Air Force.
Who is Jason Sanders’s mother?
His mother is Teresa Sanders, who helped raise Jason and his three brothers in California.
How many siblings does Jason Sanders have?
Jason Sanders has three older brothers named Matthew, Daniel and Andrew Sanders.
Which of Jason Sanders’s brothers served in the military?
Jason confirmed in 2018 that two of his brothers had served in the military. A 2024 EssentiallySports report identified them as Matthew and Andrew Sanders.
Did Jason Sanders’s brother play football?
Yes. One of his older brothers played as a kicker at Villa Park High School and influenced Jason’s decision to transition from soccer to American football.
Where is Jason Sanders’s family from?
Jason Sanders grew up in Orange, California, where he attended Villa Park High School.
What is Jason Sanders’s full name?
His full name is Jason Thomas Sanders, according to the University of New Mexico’s official football biography.
Which NFL team does Jason Sanders play for?
As of now, Jason Sanders plays for the New York Jets, who signed him to their active roster on September 29, 2026.
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.
