Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Theo Jackson is an American professional football player who plays as a safety for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 2, 1998, in Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before beginning his NFL career in 2022.
His full name is Thedarrius S.L. Jackson, although he is professionally known as Theo Jackson. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft before joining the Minnesota Vikings later that year.
Beyond football, Jackson is a husband and father who values spending time with his family. He is married to Ariel Jackson, also known as Ari, and the couple welcomed their son, Aaro Sonny Jackson, in January 2025. Jackson is also a stepfather to Ariel’s older son, Aiden.
Jackson’s parents are Nate Foster and Tanissa Foster. He grew up in Tennessee with four siblings, including two older sisters, an older brother and a younger brother. His father’s experience playing college football also helped introduce him to the sport during childhood.
Theo Jackson’s Wife – Ariel Jackson
Theo Jackson is married to Ariel Jackson, commonly known as Ari Jackson.
The couple married in 2024, according to a September 2025 feature published by Sports Illustrated’s lifestyle publication.
Ariel has supported Theo throughout his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings, accompanying him to important team events and celebrating his achievements.
The Vikings publicly featured the couple in June 2024 through an episode of their video series “Love and Football,” which focuses on the personal relationships of NFL players.
The episode introduced Ariel as Theo’s wife and provided supporters with a glimpse into their relationship away from football.
Who Is Ariel Jackson?
Ariel Jackson is a marketing professional, entrepreneur and events specialist.
According to her professional biography published by the Set an Example Conference, Ariel has experience in marketing strategy, brand development and event management.
Her professional background includes working with major brands such as Jared and European Wax Center.
She has also held leadership positions within marketing and consulting organizations.
Her professional biography identifies her as the chief executive officer of Novellus Muse, a business focused on marketing, branding and events.
Ariel has also served as Marketing Chair of the National Football Wives Association and Editorial Marketing Director for SET Media Magazine.
Alongside her professional responsibilities, Ariel is a mother to Aiden and Aaro.
She balances her business activities with raising her children and supporting her husband’s NFL career.
When Did Theo Jackson and Ariel Get Married?
Theo Jackson and Ariel married in 2024.
Their marriage was publicly acknowledged by the Minnesota Vikings in June 2024, when the organization released its “Love and Football” episode featuring the couple.
Sports Illustrated later identified 2024 as the year of their marriage.
Although the couple has shared aspects of their relationship publicly, detailed information about their wedding ceremony and guest list has not been extensively documented in official team reporting.
How Ariel Supports Theo Jackson’s NFL Career
Ariel has been part of several important milestones in Theo Jackson’s professional football journey.
One particularly meaningful occasion occurred on March 7, 2025, when Jackson signed a multiyear contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings.
According to an official Vikings report, Ariel accompanied her husband to the team’s headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota, for the signing.
The couple also brought their newborn son, Aaro, who was approximately six weeks old at the time.
Jackson expressed appreciation for the Vikings organization and its commitment to supporting players’ families.
He explained that having Ariel and their baby present made the achievement even more meaningful.
The contract represented greater professional and financial stability for the family, allowing them to continue building their lives in Minnesota.
Theo Jackson’s Children
Theo Jackson has one publicly confirmed biological child, a son named Aaro Sonny Jackson, whom he shares with his wife, Ariel.
He is also a stepfather to Aiden, Ariel’s older son from a previous relationship.
Both children have been featured in official Minnesota Vikings reporting about Jackson’s family life.
Aaro Sonny Jackson – Theo Jackson’s Son
Aaro Sonny Jackson is the son of Theo and Ariel Jackson.
He was born in January 2025, according to his father’s official Minnesota Vikings biography.
His birth marked an important new chapter in the couple’s marriage and family life.
Before Aaro’s arrival, Jackson had already been developing his relationship with his stepson, Aiden.
Becoming a biological father added another responsibility as he continued pursuing his professional football ambitions.
On March 7, 2025, Aaro accompanied his parents to the Minnesota Vikings’ headquarters when Theo signed a new contract.
At approximately six weeks old, Aaro became part of a significant milestone in his father’s career.
Photographs published by the organization showed Theo holding his baby boy while Ariel stood beside him during the celebration.
Jackson described the moment as especially rewarding because his professional success would benefit his family’s future.
Aiden – Theo Jackson’s Stepson
Aiden is Ariel Jackson’s older son and Theo Jackson’s stepson.
According to an official Minnesota Vikings feature published on December 27, 2024, Aiden was six years old at the time.
Although Theo is not Aiden’s biological father, the two have developed a close relationship.
Jackson has embraced his role as a stepfather and is affectionately known as Aiden’s “Bonus Dad.”
Their relationship became particularly visible during the 2024 Christmas season.
Earlier that December, Ariel traveled to Florida to bring Aiden to Minnesota for the holidays.
While they were away, Jackson organized Christmas activities at home, including preparing presents and arranging surprises involving Aiden’s Elf on the Shelf.
He wanted to make the holiday memorable because it was the family’s first Christmas celebration with everyone together.
The experience reflected the importance Jackson places on creating positive memories with his stepson.
How Theo Jackson Celebrated Christmas With Aiden
The December 2024 Vikings feature provided additional insight into Jackson’s relationship with Aiden.
During the holiday period, Jackson created several imaginative scenes featuring Aiden’s Christmas elf, known as Elfie.
These included arranging the elf near a bathroom sink, decorating a coloring book and preparing humorous surprises for Aiden to discover.
He even created a photograph that made it appear as though the elf had taken a selfie with the sleeping boy.
Jackson explained that planning these activities gave him an opportunity to create special memories for his family.
His relationship with Aiden also became part of an important football moment later that month.
After Jackson intercepted Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during Minnesota’s victory on December 22, 2024, Aiden called to celebrate the achievement.
The enthusiastic phone call was one of Jackson’s favorite parts of the experience.
His excitement demonstrated how much he valued receiving encouragement from his stepson.
Theo Jackson’s Parents
Theo Jackson’s parents are Nate Foster and Tanissa Foster, according to his official Minnesota Vikings and University of Tennessee biographies.
Jackson grew up in the Nashville area of Tennessee, where his family encouraged his involvement in sports.
His father had experience playing college football, while his mother was part of the family support system that helped him develop as an athlete.
Theo Jackson’s Father – Nate Foster
Nate Foster is Theo Jackson’s father and a former college football player.
According to the Minnesota Vikings’ official biography, Nate played defensive back at Western Kentucky University.
His background in football helped introduce Theo to the sport during childhood.
Jackson began participating in youth football at a young age and eventually developed a strong interest in defensive positions.
His father also coached youth football teams on which Theo played.
According to the University of Tennessee’s official football biography, Jackson began taking football seriously when he was approximately 11 years old and participating on teams coached by his father.
These experiences helped him understand defensive techniques, the importance of preparation and the responsibilities involved in competitive football.
Nate’s influence continued as Jackson developed into a standout high school player and eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee.
How Nate Foster Influenced Theo Jackson’s Football Career
Having a father who played college football gave Theo Jackson an early connection to competitive athletics.
As a youth football coach, Nate helped Theo develop his understanding of the game and provided opportunities to compete against other young athletes.
Jackson eventually became a talented defensive player capable of contributing at safety, cornerback and nickel positions.
During high school, he attracted attention from major college football programs, eventually choosing Tennessee.
The university’s official athletics records identify Nate’s involvement in Jackson’s youth football development as an important part of his early career.
Although information about Nate’s professional life outside football remains limited, his athletic background and role as a youth coach are well documented.
Theo Jackson’s Mother – Tanissa Foster
Tanissa Foster is Theo Jackson’s mother.
Her identity is confirmed in both the Minnesota Vikings and University of Tennessee player biographies.
Tanissa raised Theo in a household with several children, helping provide a family environment in which sports and education were important activities.
Jackson has occasionally shared personal memories that demonstrate his connection to his mother.
According to his University of Tennessee athletics biography, one of his favorite meals is his mother’s chicken Alfredo.
Although the detail is relatively small, it provides a glimpse into his family life away from football.
Tanissa has generally maintained privacy regarding her occupation, educational background and other personal details.
Nevertheless, she remains part of the family that Jackson has acknowledged throughout his journey from Tennessee high school football to the NFL.
Theo Jackson’s Siblings
Theo Jackson has four siblings: two older sisters, one older brother and one younger brother.
Their number and positions in the family are confirmed in his official Minnesota Vikings biography.
His original University of Tennessee recruiting profile also identifies a sibling named Dawayne Jackson.
Dawayne Jackson – Theo Jackson’s Brother
Dawayne Jackson is one of Theo Jackson’s publicly identified siblings.
His name appears in the University of Tennessee’s official announcement welcoming the football program’s 2017 recruiting class.
The announcement lists Dawayne as Theo’s sibling but does not specify his age, occupation or whether he is the older or younger brother.
Although Jackson has discussed the importance of his family during his professional football career, Dawayne has not been extensively featured in established sports media reporting.
For that reason, additional information about his personal life remains limited.
Theo Jackson’s Older Brother
The Minnesota Vikings’ official biography confirms that Jackson has an older brother.
Growing up with older siblings helped expose Theo to competitive family activities and sports.
However, the team’s biography does not identify his older brother by name.
Although Dawayne Jackson is a publicly named sibling, the available records do not conclusively establish which brother he is.
Theo Jackson’s Younger Brother
Jackson also has a younger brother.
His existence is confirmed in the Minnesota Vikings’ official player biography, which states that Theo has one younger brother in addition to his older siblings.
Further information about his younger brother’s name, education, occupation and personal life has not been reliably established.
Theo Jackson’s Two Older Sisters
Theo Jackson has two older sisters.
Both are included in his official NFL family biography, although their names have not been publicly identified in the reliable sources reviewed.
Jackson grew up as one of five children in a family with strong ties to Tennessee.
His sisters have generally remained outside the public attention surrounding his professional football career.
Details about their occupations, educational backgrounds and personal relationships have not been extensively documented.
Theo Jackson’s Uncle – S.L. Lampkin
Another important member of Theo Jackson’s extended family is his uncle, S.L. Lampkin.
According to Jackson’s official Minnesota Vikings biography, Lampkin is a longtime Tennessee Titans supporter.
He has maintained a particularly strong connection to the team, including holding suite tickets at Nissan Stadium.
His enthusiasm for the Titans became part of a memorable family celebration during the 2022 NFL Draft.
How Theo Jackson’s Uncle Celebrated His NFL Draft Selection
On April 30, 2022, the Tennessee Titans selected Theo Jackson with the 204th overall pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Because Jackson had grown up near Nashville and played college football at Tennessee, being selected by his hometown NFL team was especially meaningful.
He was at his uncle’s home when the selection was announced.
According to the Tennessee Titans’ official coverage, Lampkin’s home was decorated with Titans memorabilia and team colors.
The family celebrated enthusiastically when Jackson received the call confirming his selection.
For Theo, the occasion represented the fulfillment of a childhood ambition and allowed him to share the moment with relatives who had supported his football journey.
Theo Jackson’s Family Background and Childhood
Theo Jackson was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in the surrounding area, including Brentwood and Antioch.
He developed an interest in football during childhood, partly because of his father’s experience playing and coaching the sport.
Jackson also grew up supporting the Tennessee Titans and frequently attended the team’s games.
His family connections to the franchise made professional football an important part of his early life.
He eventually attended John Overton High School in Nashville, where he became one of the area’s most accomplished defensive football players.
During his senior season in 2016, Jackson led the team with five interceptions.
His performances earned Region 6A Defensive Most Valuable Player honors and selection to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 6A All-State Team.
He also appeared in the 2016 Toyota East-West All-Star Game.
His achievements attracted recruiting interest from several college football programs.
Jackson ultimately chose to remain in his home state and attend the University of Tennessee.
How Theo Jackson’s Family Influenced His College Football Career
Jackson joined the Tennessee Volunteers football program in 2017.
His college career included five seasons, during which he developed into a versatile defensive player capable of contributing at multiple positions.
He gradually earned more playing time and established himself as an important member of the Volunteers’ secondary.
During the 2021 season, Jackson recorded 78 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 12 passes defended.
His performances earned Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the conference’s coaches.
He finished his college career with 190 tackles, three interceptions and 20 passes defended in 56 games.
Jackson also completed his education, graduating from Tennessee in December 2021 with a degree in communication studies.
His football achievements reflected years of development that began with encouragement from his parents and participation in youth teams coached by his father.
Theo Jackson’s Journey to the Minnesota Vikings
After completing his college football career, Theo Jackson entered the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Tennessee Titans selected him in the sixth round, giving him an opportunity to begin his professional career near his hometown.
However, Jackson was released during the team’s final roster reductions and subsequently signed to Tennessee’s practice squad.
In October 2022, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their active roster.
He initially contributed primarily on special teams before gradually earning opportunities on defense.
During the 2023 season, Jackson recorded his first NFL interception against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In December 2024, he made another important defensive play by intercepting Geno Smith late in Minnesota’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The play helped secure the win and became especially memorable because his stepson, Aiden, called afterward to celebrate.
In March 2025, Jackson signed a multiyear contract extension with Minnesota.
His wife Ariel and newborn son Aaro attended the signing, allowing Jackson to share the milestone with his family.
During the 2025 season, Jackson continued developing as a defensive contributor, making eight starts and recording his first two career sacks.
He remained part of Minnesota’s defensive secondary during the 2026 NFL season.
How Fatherhood Has Influenced Theo Jackson
Family responsibilities have become increasingly important to Theo Jackson during his professional football career.
His role as Aiden’s stepfather introduced him to the experiences and responsibilities associated with raising a child.
Jackson has openly discussed how much he enjoys creating family memories and celebrating important moments with his stepson.
The birth of Aaro in January 2025 added another dimension to his personal life.
When Jackson signed his contract extension in March 2025, he emphasized that his achievements were meaningful not only for himself but also for his family’s future.
He has also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Minnesota Vikings organization, particularly its willingness to include players’ relatives in important team activities.
These experiences demonstrate that Jackson considers his responsibilities as a husband and father an important part of his life beyond football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Theo Jackson’s Family
Who is Theo Jackson’s wife?
Theo Jackson’s wife is Ariel Jackson, also known as Ari. She is a marketing professional and entrepreneur. The couple married in 2024.
Is Theo Jackson married?
Yes. Theo Jackson is married to Ariel Jackson, who has accompanied him to several important Minnesota Vikings events.
What does Theo Jackson’s wife do?
Ariel Jackson works in marketing, branding and event management. Her professional biography identifies her as the CEO of Novellus Muse and a marketing leader involved in the National Football Wives Association.
How many children does Theo Jackson have?
Theo Jackson has one publicly confirmed biological son, Aaro Sonny Jackson, and a stepson named Aiden through his marriage to Ariel.
Who is Theo Jackson’s son?
His son is Aaro Sonny Jackson, who was born in January 2025.
Who is Theo Jackson’s stepson?
His stepson is Aiden, Ariel Jackson’s older child. Theo has spoken publicly about their close relationship and his enjoyment of family activities.
When was Theo Jackson’s son born?
Aaro Sonny Jackson was born in January 2025, according to the Minnesota Vikings’ official player biography.
Who is Theo Jackson’s father?
His father is Nate Foster, a former Western Kentucky University defensive back who coached Theo during his youth football years.
Who is Theo Jackson’s mother?
His mother is Tanissa Foster, whose identity is confirmed in the Minnesota Vikings and University of Tennessee player biographies.
Does Theo Jackson have siblings?
Yes. Theo Jackson has four siblings: two older sisters, an older brother and a younger brother.
Who is Dawayne Jackson?
Dawayne Jackson is one of Theo Jackson’s siblings. He was identified in the University of Tennessee’s official 2017 recruiting announcement.
Who is Theo Jackson’s uncle?
His uncle is S.L. Lampkin, a longtime Tennessee Titans supporter who hosted a family celebration when Theo was selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Where is Theo Jackson’s family from?
Theo Jackson grew up in the Nashville area of Tennessee, including Brentwood and Antioch. He attended John Overton High School before playing college football at Tennessee.
Did Theo Jackson’s father play football?
Yes. Nate Foster played defensive back at Western Kentucky University and later coached youth football teams that included Theo.
What is Theo Jackson’s real name?
His full name is Thedarrius S.L. Jackson, although he is professionally known as Theo Jackson.
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.
