Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Joe Andreessen is an American professional football player who plays as an inside linebacker for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 7, 2000, in Depew, New York, Andreessen played college football at Bryant University and the University at Buffalo before joining the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Beyond his football career, Andreessen comes from a close-knit family that has supported his journey from high school football in Western New York to playing professionally for his hometown NFL team.
His parents, Paul Andreessen and Jody Andreessen, have played important roles in his athletic development, while his older brother, JD Andreessen, pursued a successful college baseball career.
Andreessen’s romantic life has also attracted attention. In May 2026, he announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Fabiana, marking an important personal milestone alongside his professional football achievements.
Joe Andreessen’s Girlfriend: Who Is Joe Andreessen Dating?
Joe Andreessen is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Fabiana. The couple publicly announced their engagement in May 2026, according to reporting published by Buffalo radio station The New 96.1.
Although Andreessen has generally maintained a relatively private romantic life, his relationship with Fabiana has occasionally appeared in sports reporting and social media coverage.
During his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, Andreessen publicly acknowledged having a girlfriend.
According to the team’s official website, he called his girlfriend after learning that he had made Buffalo’s initial 53-man roster following training camp.
That moment was particularly meaningful because Andreessen had entered the NFL without being selected in the draft and was attempting to earn a position with the team he had supported since childhood.
His girlfriend also celebrated the achievement publicly, sharing a social media message expressing pride in his determination and perseverance.
Who Is Fabiana, Joe Andreessen’s Fiancée?
Fabiana is Joe Andreessen’s longtime romantic partner and fiancée.
Her relationship with the Buffalo Bills linebacker became publicly documented during his rookie season in 2024.
Buffalo Rumblings identified a social media account associated with the couple’s relationship as @FabianaXCastro on Instagram.
Although that account suggests the surname Castro, the May 2026 engagement announcement identified her simply as Fabiana, without independently confirming her full legal name.
In February 2026, Andreessen provided another detail about their relationship during an interview reported by Sports Illustrated.
Discussing his offseason plans, he revealed that his girlfriend was from Miami, Florida, and that they intended to travel there together in March.
The trip was also connected to a friend’s wedding.
Although Fabiana has occasionally appeared in public coverage of Andreessen’s life, detailed information about her profession, age and family background has not been reliably established.
Joe Andreessen and Fabiana’s Engagement
Joe Andreessen and Fabiana announced their engagement during Mother’s Day weekend in May 2026.
According to an article published by The New 96.1 on May 11, 2026, the couple shared photographs of Fabiana’s engagement ring on social media.
The news was also celebrated by Built in Buffalo, a popular Buffalo Bills media account, which congratulated Andreessen and his fiancée on May 10.
The engagement attracted attention from Bills supporters who had followed Andreessen’s remarkable journey from an undrafted rookie to an established member of the team’s roster.
For his mother, Jody Andreessen, the engagement represented another happy family milestone.
Local media described the announcement as a special Mother’s Day surprise for Jody, who was preparing to welcome a future daughter-in-law into the family.
The couple did not publicly announce a wedding date when their engagement became known.
Is Joe Andreessen Married?
Although Joe Andreessen is engaged to Fabiana, there is no reliable public confirmation that the couple has married.
Their engagement was publicly reported in May 2026, but an official wedding announcement or confirmed marriage date has not been established in the reliable sources reviewed.
Therefore, Fabiana is best described as his fiancée rather than his wife until a marriage is publicly verified.
Joe Andreessen’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Joe Andreessen has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither his official Buffalo Bills biography nor established sports reporting identifies him as the father of a son or daughter.
Although his relationship with Fabiana became more publicly visible following their engagement, reliable reporting has not established that the couple has welcomed children.
Andreessen has also not publicly discussed having children of his own in the interviews reviewed.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to identify any children or assign names and ages without additional verification.
Joe Andreessen’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Joe Andreessen was born to Paul Andreessen and Jody Andreessen, who raised him in the Buffalo metropolitan area of Western New York.
Their names are confirmed by Bryant University’s official football biography, the Buffalo Bills’ player media guide and multiple interviews with local television stations.
Both parents have remained closely involved in their son’s football career, attending practices and games and supporting him through the challenges of becoming a professional athlete.
Joe Andreessen’s Father: Paul Andreessen
Paul Andreessen is Joe Andreessen’s father and one of his most dedicated supporters.
Paul has spoken publicly about his son’s childhood, football development and determination to reach the NFL.
In a May 2024 interview with WKBW television in Buffalo, Paul recalled watching Joe participate in youth football games.
He explained that he recognized his son’s unusual physical abilities and competitive nature from a young age.
One memory involved a youth football game against Orchard Park, when Joe delivered several powerful tackles.
Paul recalled that the experience helped him realize his son possessed exceptional athletic potential.
As Joe continued developing, his father supported his participation in football and wrestling at Lancaster High School.
Paul also witnessed the sacrifices required for his son to compete at the college level.
After Joe spent several seasons at Bryant University, he transferred to the University at Buffalo, allowing him to finish his college football career closer to home.
That decision eventually created an opportunity for him to pursue a professional career with the Bills.
In 2024, Paul appeared alongside other relatives at Buffalo’s preseason games to support Joe’s attempt to make the team.
His involvement demonstrated the close relationship between the linebacker and his family.
Joe Andreessen’s Mother: Jody Andreessen
Jody Andreessen is Joe Andreessen’s mother and an important source of encouragement throughout his life.
She has been particularly vocal about her son’s determination to become a professional football player.
During an interview with WKBW in May 2024, Jody explained that Joe’s primary ambition had always been to earn an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.
Although several NFL teams expressed interest in him during the pre-draft process, the Buffalo Bills offered him a chance to participate in their rookie minicamp.
Jody supported his decision to pursue that opportunity.
She also celebrated when her son successfully earned a place on Buffalo’s roster.
In August 2024, Joe was at his parents’ house when his agent informed him that his chances of making the team’s final roster were promising.
According to the Buffalo Bills, he immediately shared the news with his parents before contacting his girlfriend.
The moment represented the culmination of years of dedication by Joe and his family.
Jody continued supporting him throughout his rookie season and frequently attended team practices and games.
She also appeared in the Buffalo Bills’ special video featuring congratulatory messages from Joe’s relatives, friends and former coaches.
Joe Andreessen’s Parents Supported Him During His Rookie Season
One particularly meaningful aspect of Joe Andreessen’s rookie year was his decision to remain close to his family.
According to Spectrum News, the linebacker lived at his parents’ home during the 2024 NFL season.
The arrangement allowed him to focus on football while avoiding some of the additional responsibilities associated with relocating to a new city.
Because he was playing for his hometown team, Andreessen could maintain familiar routines and spend time with the people who had supported him since childhood.
In a January 2025 interview, he credited his parents with helping him navigate the challenges of entering the NFL.
He explained that their guidance and sacrifices had contributed significantly to his personal development.
His parents also taught him to remain humble and appreciate the support he received from Buffalo Bills fans.
During the 2025 training camp, Andreessen again acknowledged that his mother and father regularly attended practices.
Their continued presence demonstrated how important family support remained as his professional football career progressed.
Joe Andreessen’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Joe Andreessen has one older brother named JD Andreessen.
His brother’s identity is confirmed in the Buffalo Bills’ official media guide and Bryant University’s football biography.
JD also pursued a successful athletic career, playing college baseball at Campbell University and Monmouth University.
JD Andreessen – Joe Andreessen’s Older Brother
JD Andreessen, whose full name is Jon David Andreessen, is Joe Andreessen’s older brother.
He was born on November 10, 1995, in Buffalo, New York, according to Campbell University’s official baseball biography.
Like Joe, JD grew up in Western New York and developed an interest in competitive sports.
He attended Lancaster High School and established himself as a talented baseball catcher.
During his high school career, JD earned numerous athletic honors and helped Lancaster win a sectional baseball championship in 2014.
He also competed in football and basketball, demonstrating the family’s enthusiasm for athletics.
Following high school, JD enrolled at Campbell University in North Carolina, where he played baseball during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
He later transferred to Monmouth University in New Jersey.
During the 2019 season, JD appeared in 47 games and recorded a .293 batting average, five home runs and 34 runs batted in.
He also led Monmouth with 14 doubles.
His performances established him as an important member of the university’s baseball team.
Although JD pursued baseball rather than professional football, his achievements demonstrated the athletic environment in which Joe grew up.
Joe Andreessen and JD Andreessen’s Relationship
Joe and JD Andreessen share a close family relationship and a common background in competitive sports.
Both brothers attended Lancaster High School and later competed in college athletics.
Their parents encouraged them to pursue their individual sporting interests while maintaining strong family connections.
JD remained supportive of his younger brother’s NFL ambitions.
In 2024, he appeared in a Buffalo Bills video featuring congratulatory messages for Joe following his successful rookie training camp.
The video also included their parents, Paul and Jody, along with former coaches and other important figures in Joe’s football journey.
His brother’s participation demonstrated the family’s pride in Joe’s achievements.
No additional brothers or sisters are identified in Andreessen’s official college football biography.
Joe Andreessen’s Extended Family and Cousin Bowen
Joe Andreessen also maintains strong relationships with members of his extended family.
In August 2024, WKBW published a feature about his close relationship with his young cousin Bowen, affectionately known as Bo.
According to the report, Bowen has a rare genetic condition that affects aspects of his development and makes certain crowded environments difficult to navigate.
Despite those challenges, Bo developed a strong admiration for his older cousin.
He attended Joe’s games at Bryant University and the University at Buffalo whenever possible.
When Joe began playing for the Buffalo Bills, Bowen was determined to watch him compete at the professional level.
His family explained that seeing Joe on the football field provided encouragement and helped him feel more comfortable in unfamiliar environments.
The report also identified other relatives who supported the linebacker, including his uncle Scot, aunt Connie and cousins Carter and Rhemmy.
During Buffalo’s preseason games, numerous family members and friends attended wearing Andreessen jerseys and shirts celebrating his nickname, “Buffalo Joe.”
The story illustrated the importance of Joe’s relationship with his extended family and the encouragement they received from his achievements.
Joe Andreessen’s Childhood and Family Background
Joe Andreessen grew up in Depew, New York, a community in the Buffalo metropolitan area.
His childhood was shaped by a strong interest in sports and a family that supported the Buffalo Bills.
He attended Lancaster High School, where he developed into an outstanding linebacker and wrestler.
During his high school football career, Andreessen helped Lancaster win consecutive sectional championships and reach the New York State championship game in 2017.
He also received several individual honors, including recognition as one of Western New York’s leading defensive players.
In wrestling, Andreessen achieved 161 career victories and helped his school win a state championship.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, he did not receive widespread attention from major college football programs.
Bryant University in Rhode Island ultimately offered him an opportunity to continue his football career.
The experience required him to move away from home and compete against increasingly talented opponents.
However, the support of his parents and brother helped him remain focused on his ambitions.
Joe Andreessen’s College Football Career
Andreessen began his college football career at Bryant University in 2018.
He gradually established himself as one of the team’s most productive defensive players.
During the 2022 season, he recorded 116 tackles and earned All-America recognition.
His performances attracted attention from the University at Buffalo, where he transferred for his final college football season in 2023.
The move allowed him to return to Western New York and compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
At Buffalo, Andreessen started all 12 games and led the team with 90 tackles.
He also recorded 12 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
Although he performed well, Andreessen was not selected during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Instead, he received an invitation to participate in the Buffalo Bills’ rookie minicamp.
Joe Andreessen’s NFL Career and Family Celebration
On May 11, 2024, the Buffalo Bills signed Joe Andreessen following his impressive performance during their rookie minicamp.
His opportunity was especially meaningful because he had grown up supporting the same franchise.
During the preseason, Andreessen impressed coaches with his tackling ability, athleticism and commitment to learning the team’s defensive system.
He eventually earned a place on Buffalo’s initial 53-man roster.
The achievement received widespread attention because of his journey from a local high school athlete to an NFL player representing his hometown.
His parents and brother celebrated alongside him, while numerous former coaches and supporters congratulated him.
Andreessen continued developing as a linebacker and special teams contributor during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
In 2025, he led the Bills with 21 special teams tackles, demonstrating his importance to the organization.
On October 3, 2026, Buffalo announced that Andreessen had signed a two-year contract extension keeping him with the team through 2028.
The agreement represented another major professional achievement for the player nicknamed Buffalo Joe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Andreessen’s Family
Who is Joe Andreessen’s girlfriend?
Joe Andreessen’s longtime girlfriend is Fabiana. The couple announced their engagement in May 2026.
Is Joe Andreessen engaged?
Yes. Joe Andreessen and Fabiana announced their engagement during Mother’s Day weekend in May 2026, according to The New 96.1.
Is Joe Andreessen married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Joe Andreessen has married. His engagement to Fabiana was reported in May 2026.
Does Joe Andreessen have children?
Joe Andreessen has no publicly confirmed children. Reliable NFL reporting has not identified him as a father.
Who are Joe Andreessen’s parents?
His parents are Paul Andreessen and Jody Andreessen, who raised him in Western New York and supported his football development.
Who is Joe Andreessen’s father?
Joe Andreessen’s father is Paul Andreessen, who has spoken publicly about his son’s childhood and athletic development.
Who is Joe Andreessen’s mother?
His mother is Jody Andreessen, who frequently attends Buffalo Bills games and has publicly expressed pride in her son’s achievements.
Does Joe Andreessen have siblings?
Yes. Joe Andreessen has one older brother named JD Andreessen, a former college baseball player.
Who is Joe Andreessen’s brother?
His brother is Jon David “JD” Andreessen, who played baseball at Campbell University and Monmouth University.
Where is Joe Andreessen’s family from?
Joe Andreessen and his family are from the Buffalo metropolitan area of Western New York. He grew up in Depew and attended Lancaster High School.
Why is Joe Andreessen called Buffalo Joe?
Joe Andreessen earned the nickname Buffalo Joe because he grew up supporting the Buffalo Bills before becoming a player for his hometown NFL team.
When did Joe Andreessen join the Buffalo Bills?
Joe Andreessen joined the Buffalo Bills on May 11, 2024, after impressing coaches during a rookie minicamp tryout.
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.
