Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Tanos Potter
T.J. Slaton Jr., whose full name is Tedarrell Anthony Slaton Jr., is an American professional football player who plays defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. Born on October 3, 1997, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Slaton attended the University of Florida before being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Beyond his professional football career, Slaton has an interesting family background shaped by his biological mother and the LaMont family, who welcomed him into their home during high school. Dave and Jennifer LaMont became important parental figures, while their sons, Drake and Drew, developed brotherly relationships with the future NFL player.
Although several details about his upbringing have been documented, Slaton has generally kept his romantic relationships and potential children away from public attention.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, T.J. Slaton Jr. has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or provided sufficient information to establish his relationship status.
The Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle maintains a relatively private personal life, with his public interviews generally focusing on his football career, training, and experiences with his teammates.
There is also no verified public announcement confirming that Slaton is engaged or married.
Although some websites have described him as single, the absence of publicly available relationship information does not necessarily mean that he is not dating anyone.
Consequently, his current romantic relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Does T.J. Slaton Jr. Have Children?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that T.J. Slaton Jr. has children.
Neither his official Cincinnati Bengals biography nor reliable interviews about his personal background have established that he is the father of a son or daughter.
Slaton has also not made a widely documented public announcement concerning the birth of a child.
Therefore, claims about him having children should not be presented as established facts without reliable confirmation.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Parents
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Father
T.J. Slaton Jr. has not publicly shared extensive information about his biological father.
Although his full name includes the suffix “Jr.,” reliable public reporting does not independently establish his father’s full legal name, occupation, or personal background.
Most detailed accounts of Slaton’s childhood focus instead on his mother and the LaMont family, who provided him with additional support during his teenage years.
One of the most important male influences during that period was Dave LaMont, a sports broadcaster whose family welcomed Slaton into their household.
However, Dave LaMont should not be confused with Slaton’s biological father, and publicly available reporting indicates that the LaMont family did not formally adopt him.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Mother
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s biological mother played an important role in his upbringing and supported his education and football ambitions.
Although her name has not been reliably established in publicly available official biographies, Slaton has discussed her influence during interviews about his high school and college experiences.
While attending American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, Slaton faced a demanding daily travel schedule because his mother worked in Pompano Beach.
According to a 2018 interview published by Gators Territory and included in the University of Florida’s football media materials, his mother faced a lengthy commute between work, home, and her son’s school.
Slaton eventually discussed the possibility of living with the LaMont family, whom he already knew through his friendship with their sons.
Because the LaMont household was located much closer to American Heritage School, the arrangement would make it easier for him to attend classes and participate in athletic activities.
His mother agreed to the arrangement after the families discussed it.
Slaton subsequently moved into the LaMont household while maintaining his connection with his biological mother.
Her decision helped provide him with greater stability and easier access to the educational and athletic opportunities that eventually led him to college football.
During a 2017 recruiting interview, Slaton also explained that his mother’s desire to watch him play influenced his decision to attend the University of Florida.
He wanted to remain close enough to home for his mother to follow his football career.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Father Figure: Dave LaMont
Dave LaMont is an American sports broadcaster who became an important father figure in T.J. Slaton Jr.’s life.
LaMont has worked as a commentator for major television networks, including ESPN, ABC, and FOX Sports.
His connection with Slaton developed through the friendship between the football player and members of the LaMont family.
When Slaton was attending American Heritage School, the family welcomed him into their home to help reduce the travel difficulties associated with attending school.
What began as a practical living arrangement eventually became an enduring family relationship.
Slaton lived with the family during his high school years, and Dave became an important part of the support system surrounding the young athlete.
The relationship also introduced Slaton to a household with a strong interest in competitive sports.
Although the family did not formally adopt him, Slaton has consistently described the LaMont household as family.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Mother Figure: Jennifer LaMont
Jennifer LaMont is another important parental figure in T.J. Slaton Jr.’s life.
She is a former competitive swimmer who achieved All-American recognition at the University of Southern California.
Jennifer later developed a professional career in organizational leadership and was appointed chief executive officer of the American Swimming Coaches Association in March 2021.
According to the organization’s announcement, Jennifer considers T.J. Slaton one of her sons because of the close relationship they developed after he moved into the family home.
Slaton began living with the LaMont family during ninth grade and remained closely connected to them throughout his high school and college football development.
Jennifer and Dave provided him with a supportive home environment while he pursued his education at American Heritage School.
The relationship was particularly important because Slaton was balancing the demands of competitive football with his academic responsibilities.
Jennifer’s involvement in his upbringing demonstrates how family relationships can extend beyond biological connections.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Siblings
T.J. Slaton Jr. has a publicly documented brotherly relationship with Drake LaMont, who played college basketball at Western Michigan University.
He also grew up alongside Drew LaMont, another member of the family that welcomed him into its home.
It is important to distinguish these family relationships from confirmed biological sibling relationships. Reliable reporting establishes that the LaMont family considered Slaton part of their household, but it does not establish that Drake or Drew are his biological brothers.
Drake LaMont: T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Brother Figure
Drake LaMont is the son of Dave and Jennifer LaMont and a former college basketball player who attended Western Michigan University.
He played for the Western Michigan Broncos from 2014 through 2018 and served as a team captain twice.
Drake and Slaton developed a close relationship during their youth, and Slaton frequently referred to him as his brother.
Their relationship was documented during Slaton’s college football recruitment in 2016.
At the time, Western Michigan was among the universities expressing interest in Slaton, partly because of his basketball abilities and his connection to Drake.
Slaton even visited Michigan while traveling to watch Drake compete in college basketball.
Although Slaton ultimately chose the University of Florida, his relationship with Drake remained an important part of his personal background.
After completing his playing career, Drake pursued basketball coaching and worked as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech University.
The Green Bay Packers’ official media guide subsequently identified Drake as Slaton’s brother, reflecting the close family relationship between them.
Drew LaMont: T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Other Brother Figure
Drew LaMont is another son of Dave and Jennifer LaMont and a member of the household in which T.J. Slaton Jr. lived during high school.
Like his brother Drake, Drew pursued competitive basketball.
According to a March 2021 announcement from the American Swimming Coaches Association, Drew played college basketball at Indian River State College, where he received all-conference recognition.
Although fewer public details are available about Drew’s personal relationship with Slaton, both were part of the same family environment during the football player’s teenage years.
The LaMont family’s support helped Slaton balance his academic responsibilities with the demanding schedule of a highly recruited high school athlete.
Does T.J. Slaton Jr. Have Biological Brothers or Sisters?
As of now, reliable public reporting does not sufficiently establish the identities or number of T.J. Slaton Jr.’s biological siblings.
His connection with Drake and Drew LaMont is well documented, but this should not be mistaken for evidence of a biological relationship.
Therefore, while Slaton has publicly recognized members of the LaMont family as brothers, additional claims about biological siblings remain unconfirmed.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Family Background and Upbringing
T.J. Slaton Jr. was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up in South Florida.
He attended American Heritage School in Plantation, where he developed into a highly regarded football prospect.
During high school, Slaton excelled in both football and basketball, demonstrating an unusual combination of size, strength, and athletic ability.
He helped American Heritage win Florida Class 5A state football championships in 2014 and 2016.
His performances earned him selection to the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and recognition as one of the country’s leading offensive line recruits.
Although he had attracted interest from several major universities, Slaton decided to attend the University of Florida.
His desire to remain relatively close to his mother was one of the considerations that influenced his college choice.
At Florida, he transitioned into a defensive line role and appeared in 45 games across four seasons from 2017 through 2020.
He finished his college career with 98 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
The Green Bay Packers selected Slaton with the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He spent four seasons with Green Bay, gradually developing into a regular starter on the team’s defensive line.
In March 2025, Slaton signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, beginning a new stage of his professional career.
During his first season in Cincinnati, he started all 17 regular-season games and recorded 52 tackles and three sacks.
Throughout his journey, the support of his biological mother and the LaMont family remained an important part of his personal story.
T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Family Tattoo and Its Meaning
One of the most meaningful aspects of T.J. Slaton Jr.’s family story is a tattoo he received in recognition of the LaMont family.
According to a 2018 interview with Gators Territory, Slaton had the words “Family shows no color” tattooed on his arm.
The tattoo was intended to honor the family members who welcomed him into their home and supported his education and athletic development.
It reflected his belief that family relationships are defined by love, loyalty, and support rather than biological connections or racial backgrounds.
Slaton explained that the family had helped him navigate important challenges during his transition from high school to college.
His tattoo became a lasting reminder of the people who contributed to his personal growth and eventual success in professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About T.J. Slaton Jr.’s Family
Who is T.J. Slaton Jr.’s girlfriend?
As of now, T.J. Slaton Jr. has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His relationship status remains private.
Is T.J. Slaton Jr. married?
There is no verified public information confirming that the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle is married.
Does T.J. Slaton Jr. have children?
There is no sufficiently verified public information establishing that T.J. Slaton Jr. has children.
Who is T.J. Slaton Jr.’s father?
The identity of Slaton’s biological father has not been independently established in reliable public reporting. Sports broadcaster Dave LaMont became an important father figure during his teenage years.
Who is T.J. Slaton Jr.’s mother?
His biological mother’s name has not been reliably established in official public reporting. Jennifer LaMont also became an important mother figure after Slaton moved into her family’s home during high school.
Does T.J. Slaton Jr. have siblings?
Slaton has publicly recognized Drake LaMont as a brother and grew up alongside Drew LaMont. However, reliable reporting does not establish the identities of any biological siblings.
Who is Drake LaMont?
Drake LaMont is a former Western Michigan University basketball player and the son of Dave and Jennifer LaMont. He shares a close brotherly relationship with T.J. Slaton Jr.
Who is Drew LaMont?
Drew LaMont is another son of Dave and Jennifer LaMont. He played college basketball at Indian River State College.
Was T.J. Slaton Jr. adopted by the LaMont family?
No formal adoption has been established in public reporting. However, Slaton lived with the LaMont family during high school, and they developed a close family relationship.
Where is T.J. Slaton Jr.’s family from?
Slaton was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up in South Florida. He attended American Heritage School in Plantation.
What is T.J. Slaton Jr.’s real name?
His full name is Tedarrell Anthony Slaton Jr. He is commonly known as T.J. Slaton.
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.
