Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tanos Potter

Tay Martin is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Born Davontavean Martin on December 14, 1997, in Houma, Louisiana, he has overcome significant family challenges on his journey to professional football. His personal story includes losing his mother during high school, helping care for his younger siblings and becoming a father at a young age.
Tay Martin’s family includes his father, Brian Martin, his late mother, April Martin, his daughter, Reign Christine Martin, and his three younger siblings: Angelay, Salae and Zavean Martin. His family background has played an important role in shaping his determination, resilience and professional football ambitions.
Tay Martin’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Does Tay Martin Have a Girlfriend?
As of now, Tay Martin has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend through reliable interviews or established sports publications.
Although Martin is a professional football player and a father, he generally keeps his romantic relationships outside the public spotlight.
His interviews have focused primarily on his football career, his responsibilities toward his family and the challenges he experienced while growing up in Louisiana.
Martin has spoken openly about his daughter, Reign Christine Martin, but has not consistently identified her mother in reliable public reporting.
Consequently, there is insufficient verified information to establish the identity of his current girlfriend or romantic partner.
Is Tay Martin Married?
There is no independently verified public announcement confirming that Tay Martin is married.
Although some online biographies have made claims about his relationship status, reliable sources have not conclusively established a marriage or identified a wife.
As of now, Martin’s marital status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Tay Martin’s Children
Tay Martin is a father. His daughter, Reign Christine Martin, is identified in official football biographies published by Oklahoma State University and the San Francisco 49ers.
Reign Christine Martin – Tay Martin’s Daughter
Reign Christine Martin is Tay Martin’s daughter. She was born in February 2019, when her father was a college football player at Washington State University.
Her name and birth month are confirmed in Martin’s official Oklahoma State football biography.
Becoming a father influenced Martin’s personal priorities and played a significant role in an important decision during his college football career.
In August 2020, Martin transferred from Washington State University to Oklahoma State University, partly because he wanted to live closer to his daughter.
At the time, Reign lived in his hometown of Houma, Louisiana, while Martin was attending Washington State in Pullman, Washington.
The distance between Washington and Louisiana made it difficult for him to spend time with his daughter and family.
According to reporting by The Spokesman-Review, Martin’s decision to enter the transfer portal was influenced by his desire to return closer to home.
During a November 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, Martin discussed how meaningful it was to have his daughter attend his college football games.
He explained that knowing Reign would be watching him play provided additional motivation to perform well.
His relationship with his daughter became an important source of encouragement as he pursued his ambitions of reaching the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers also identified Reign Christine in their official 2023 media guide, confirming Martin’s role as a father during his professional football career.
As of now, Reign Christine Martin is his daughter whose identity has been independently confirmed through official team records. Reliable public sources have not conclusively established whether he has additional children.
Tay Martin’s Parents
Tay Martin was born to Brian Martin and April Martin. He grew up in Houma, Louisiana, where his family experienced significant challenges during his teenage years.
His mother’s death and his father’s subsequent absence from the household placed additional responsibilities on Martin, who was the oldest of four children.
Brian Martin – Tay Martin’s Father
Brian Martin is Tay Martin’s father. His name is confirmed in the official Oklahoma State University football biography of the Detroit Lions wide receiver.
Brian and April Martin raised four children in Houma, Louisiana: Tay, Angelay, Salae and Zavean.
However, the family experienced considerable difficulties during Tay’s high school years.
According to a November 2020 report published by Sports Illustrated, Brian was serving a prison sentence when Tay’s mother died.
The situation meant that Tay, as the oldest child, assumed additional responsibilities toward his younger siblings.
Martin has discussed the emotional challenges of growing up during this period and how those experiences influenced his personal development.
Despite the difficulties, he remained committed to his education and continued pursuing football.
Although Brian’s identity and the family’s circumstances during Tay’s teenage years have been documented, reliable public sources provide limited information about his current occupation, personal life or relationship with his son.
April Martin – Tay Martin’s Mother
April Martin was Tay Martin’s mother. She died unexpectedly from cardiac arrest while her son was attending Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, Louisiana.
Her death was one of the most significant and painful experiences of Martin’s childhood.
In a November 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, Martin recalled waking up one morning and discovering that something was wrong.
His mother normally woke him before school, but on that particular morning she did not come to his room.
When Martin went to investigate, he found her unresponsive in the living room.
The experience profoundly affected him because he had depended on his mother throughout his childhood.
With his father already absent from the household, Martin was forced to confront additional family responsibilities at a young age.
He became determined to help his younger brother and sisters while continuing his education and football career.
Martin later described how he questioned why his family had experienced so many hardships, but eventually found motivation through his faith and determination to create a better future.
His mother’s memory remained important throughout his college football journey.
During the same Sports Illustrated interview, Martin explained that he regularly thought about his mother before playing football games.
He also remembered two former Washington State teammates, Tyler Hilinski and Bryce Beekman, whose deaths had deeply affected him.
Martin used the memories of these individuals as motivation to continue pursuing his ambitions.
His mother’s influence remains an important part of his story, particularly because her death changed the responsibilities he carried as the oldest child in the family.
Tay Martin’s Siblings
Tay Martin has three younger siblings: two sisters, Angelay Martin and Salae Martin, and one brother, Zavean Martin.
Their names are confirmed in Martin’s official Oklahoma State University biography and the San Francisco 49ers’ 2023 media guide.
As the oldest of four children, Martin developed a strong sense of responsibility toward his younger siblings, particularly following their mother’s death.
Angelay Martin – Tay Martin’s Younger Sister
Angelay Martin is one of Tay Martin’s two younger sisters.
She grew up in Houma, Louisiana, alongside her brothers and sister.
Angelay’s identity is confirmed in official football records documenting Tay Martin’s family background.
During Tay’s high school years, the family faced difficult circumstances after the death of their mother, April Martin.
As the oldest sibling, Tay became determined to support Angelay and the other younger children.
In his November 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, Martin discussed his commitment to being there for his younger siblings despite the difficulties the family experienced.
Although Angelay is publicly identified as his sister, reliable sources have not established detailed information about her education, occupation or current personal life.
Salae Martin – Tay Martin’s Younger Sister
Salae Martin is Tay Martin’s other younger sister.
Like Angelay, Salae was raised in Houma, Louisiana, and experienced the challenges that affected the Martin family during Tay’s teenage years.
Her name appears in the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ official biography of Tay Martin and in the San Francisco 49ers’ media guide.
Tay has discussed how the loss of their mother influenced his understanding of family responsibilities.
He became committed to setting a positive example for Salae and his other siblings by remaining focused on education, football and personal development.
While Salae’s relationship to the NFL player is confirmed, additional information about her professional activities and personal relationships remains private.
Zavean Martin – Tay Martin’s Younger Brother
Zavean Martin is Tay Martin’s younger brother and the youngest male sibling publicly identified in the family.
He grew up in Louisiana alongside his older brother and two sisters.
Following the death of their mother, Tay took on additional responsibilities within the household and became an important source of support for Zavean.
During interviews about his childhood, Martin explained that his family circumstances taught him to remain determined despite difficult experiences.
He wanted to achieve success in football not only for himself but also to provide encouragement and support for his younger siblings.
Zavean’s name is confirmed in official college and NFL biographies, although detailed information about his education, occupation and personal life is not widely available.
Tay Martin’s Family Background and Childhood
Tay Martin grew up in Houma, Louisiana, a community where he developed an interest in athletics during childhood.
He attended Ellender Memorial High School, where he became a talented football and basketball player.
Despite the family difficulties he experienced, Martin excelled academically and athletically.
During his senior football season, he recorded 45 receptions for 751 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
He also contributed as a runner and defensive player, demonstrating his versatility.
Martin received first-team Class 4A All-State recognition from the Louisiana Coaches Association.
In basketball, he earned multiple all-district honors and was recognized as one of the state’s leading high school players.
His performances attracted college scholarship offers, and he eventually enrolled at Washington State University.
Martin played three seasons for the Cougars from 2017 to 2019, developing into a productive wide receiver.
However, his desire to remain connected with his daughter and younger siblings influenced his decision to transfer closer to Louisiana.
In 2020, he joined Oklahoma State University, where he continued his college football career.
During the 2021 season, Martin recorded 80 receptions for 1,046 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.
His performances earned him second-team All-Big 12 recognition and helped establish his reputation as an NFL prospect.
After the 2022 NFL Draft, Martin signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
He subsequently spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders before playing for the Columbus Aviators in the United Football League.
In June 2026, Martin signed with the Detroit Lions, continuing his professional football journey.
How Family Influenced Tay Martin’s Football Career
Family has been one of the strongest motivations throughout Tay Martin’s football career.
His mother’s death during high school required him to mature quickly and take on responsibilities beyond those normally expected of a teenager.
He became determined to support his younger siblings while continuing to pursue his athletic ambitions.
Later, becoming a father in February 2019 brought new responsibilities and influenced his decisions about college football.
His transfer from Washington State to Oklahoma State in 2020 was partly motivated by his desire to be closer to his daughter and relatives in Louisiana.
In September 2021, Martin faced another family challenge when Hurricane Ida affected his hometown.
According to Oklahoma State University Athletics, his relatives evacuated to Houston, Texas, where they stayed with an aunt and uncle.
Although Martin was concerned about their safety, he continued preparing for his team’s opening game against Missouri State.
He finished that game with six receptions for 107 receiving yards.
Afterward, Martin explained that receiving supportive messages from his family helped him remain focused during a difficult period.
These experiences demonstrate how his relationships with his daughter, siblings and extended family have influenced his priorities throughout his football career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tay Martin’s Family
Who is Tay Martin’s girlfriend?
As of now, Tay Martin has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend through reliable reporting. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Tay Martin married?
There is no independently verified public announcement confirming that Tay Martin is married or identifying a wife.
Does Tay Martin have children?
Yes. Tay Martin has a daughter named Reign Christine Martin, who was born in February 2019. Her identity is confirmed in Oklahoma State University’s official football biography.
Who is Tay Martin’s daughter?
His daughter is Reign Christine Martin. She was born in February 2019 and was an important reason behind his decision to transfer from Washington State to Oklahoma State in 2020.
Who are Tay Martin’s parents?
Tay Martin’s parents are Brian Martin and April Martin. His mother died unexpectedly from cardiac arrest during his high school years.
What happened to Tay Martin’s mother?
His mother, April Martin, died from cardiac arrest while he was attending Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, Louisiana.
How many siblings does Tay Martin have?
Tay Martin has three younger siblings: two sisters, Angelay and Salae Martin, and one brother, Zavean Martin.
Is Tay Martin the oldest sibling?
Yes. Tay Martin is the oldest of four children and assumed additional responsibilities toward his younger siblings following his mother’s death.
What is Tay Martin’s real name?
Tay Martin’s full name is Davontavean Martin. He was born on December 14, 1997, in Houma, Louisiana.
Where is Tay Martin from?
Tay Martin is from Houma, Louisiana. He attended Ellender Memorial High School before playing college football at Washington State and Oklahoma State.

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.
