Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Troy Dye is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 18, 1996, in California, Dye grew up in Norco, where his family’s strong sporting background helped shape his football career.
Dye comes from a large athletic family. His parents are Mark Dye and Danna Dye, and he has five siblings: four brothers named Tony, Jordan, Thierry and Travis, and a sister named Jamie. He is also the father of a son named Ty, whom he welcomed with former girlfriend Makenzie Dunmore in April 2020. More recently, Brenda Wang was publicly identified as his fiancée.
Troy Dye’s Girlfriend or Fiancée: Brenda Wang
As of now, Troy Dye is publicly reported to be engaged to Brenda Wang, a social media content creator who has shared glimpses of their relationship online.
Their engagement was confirmed in a Yahoo Lifestyle article published in 2026, which explored how the partners of professional athletes use social media to share everyday experiences.
Brenda attracted attention after posting a humorous video featuring Troy playing football, accompanied by a message about him having to help put a duvet cover on their bedding when he returned home.
The video became popular because it showed a relatable side of life with an NFL player, contrasting his physically demanding profession with ordinary household responsibilities.
Speaking to Yahoo, Brenda explained that Troy disliked dealing with duvet covers, but she still expected him to help with household chores.
She also discussed how social media allows fans to see athletes as ordinary people with relationships and responsibilities outside their professional careers.
Although Brenda has been publicly identified as Troy’s fiancée, their precise engagement date has not been independently established through reliable reporting.
There is also no confirmed public announcement establishing that the couple have married. Therefore, Brenda should currently be described as his fiancée rather than his wife.
Troy Dye’s Former Girlfriend: Makenzie Dunmore
Before his relationship with Brenda Wang became public, Troy Dye was in a relationship with Makenzie Dunmore, also known as Kenzie Dunmore, a former collegiate track and field athlete.
Makenzie attended the University of Oregon, where she developed into an accomplished sprinter and earned All-American recognition.
She was part of Oregon’s women’s 4×400-meter relay team that won the NCAA championship in 2017, setting a school record of 3 minutes and 23.13 seconds.
During the same period, Troy was establishing himself as one of Oregon’s leading football players.
The couple’s relationship was publicly confirmed by the Minnesota Vikings in May 2020, shortly after Troy was selected in the NFL Draft.
On April 7, 2020, Troy and Makenzie welcomed their son, Ty.
In December 2020, the Vikings published another article featuring Troy, Makenzie, their infant son and the family’s dog, Prince.
However, their current relationship and co-parenting arrangements have not been publicly documented in sufficient detail.
Troy Dye’s Children
Troy Dye is the father of at least one child, a son named Ty Dye, who was born on April 7, 2020.
His son’s identity and date of birth were confirmed by the Minnesota Vikings in an official article published on December 11, 2020.
Although Dye has discussed becoming a father, he has generally kept his son’s personal life away from the public spotlight.
Troy Dye’s Son: Ty Dye
Ty Dye is the son of Troy Dye and Makenzie Dunmore.
He was born shortly before his father entered the NFL, making his arrival an especially memorable event for the family.
When the Minnesota Vikings selected Troy in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he had already become a father just weeks earlier.
During an introductory interview with Minnesota reporters, Dye acknowledged that his life had changed significantly following the birth of his son.
In December 2020, the Vikings published a feature about Troy’s dog, Prince, and how the animal adapted to the arrival of the newborn.
According to the article, Prince initially appeared confused by Ty’s movements and crying but gradually became protective of the baby.
Troy described how the dog would approach the family whenever Ty cried and sometimes sit nearby during the night.
The linebacker also shared that Ty and Prince occasionally slept near each other and that he hoped they would develop a lasting bond.
Born on April 7, 2020, Ty is six years old as of now.
There is no reliable public confirmation that Troy Dye has additional children.
Troy Dye’s Parents
Troy Dye was raised by his parents, Mark Dye and Danna Dye, in Norco, California.
Both parents have strong connections to athletics, helping establish a family environment centered on sports, discipline and competition.
Their background has been documented by the Los Angeles Times, UCLA Athletics, Texas Tech Athletics and other college football publications.
Troy Dye’s Father: Mark Dye
Troy Dye’s father is Mark Dye, a former college football player who also pursued professional baseball.
According to official UCLA and USC athletics biographies, Mark played football at San Jose State University during the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
He also spent time in the Houston Astros’ minor league baseball organization.
His experience in competitive sports strongly influenced how he raised his children.
In an October 2022 Los Angeles Times feature about the Dye family, Mark discussed the competitive atmosphere that existed inside their household.
One of the family’s favorite activities was playing table tennis, with Mark regularly challenging his children.
He proudly claimed that none of his six children had managed to defeat him in a competitive game.
According to the article, these family competitions sometimes became intense, with the children determined to outperform one another.
Mark believed that this environment helped develop the determination and resilience his sons later displayed on the football field.
He encouraged his children to earn their achievements through preparation and effort rather than expecting opportunities to be given to them.
All five of his sons eventually played college football, demonstrating the family’s extraordinary athletic tradition.
Troy Dye’s Mother: Danna Dye
Troy Dye’s mother is Danna Dye, who has worked as an athletic trainer at Centennial High School in Corona, California.
Her professional experience in sports medicine and athletic development gave her an understanding of the physical demands faced by competitive athletes.
Danna played an important role in supporting her children’s football careers, including attending games and helping them manage the responsibilities associated with college athletics.
In 2022, she spoke publicly about her younger son Travis’s decision to transfer from Oregon to USC.
At the time, she took a leave of absence from her work as an athletic trainer so she could spend more time following her sons’ football careers.
The arrangement allowed her to support Travis at USC while also following Troy’s professional career with the Minnesota Vikings.
During a 2017 interview, Troy credited his mother with helping him develop a caring personality and a strong appreciation for family.
He explained that his family was among his main motivations for continuing to work hard as a football player.
Her support, combined with Mark’s emphasis on competition, helped create the foundation for Troy’s successful college and professional career.
Troy Dye’s Siblings
Troy Dye is one of six children raised by Mark and Danna Dye.
He has four brothers named Tony, Jordan, Thierry and Travis, along with a younger sister named Jamie.
These names were documented in an October 2022 Los Angeles Times family profile and are also supported by official university athletics records.
All five brothers played college football, while two, Troy and Tony, reached the NFL. Travis also briefly joined an NFL organization after college.
Troy Dye’s Older Brother: Tony Dye
Tony Dye, whose full name is Anthony Scott Dye, is one of Troy Dye’s older brothers and a former professional football player.
Born on February 11, 1990, in San Jose, California, Tony developed into a talented defensive back during high school.
He attended Santiago High School in Corona before enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
At UCLA, Tony played safety and became an important member of the Bruins’ defense.
He earned recognition for his performances, including leading the team in tackles during the 2010 season.
After completing his college career, Tony pursued professional football and spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He later transitioned into coaching and worked with younger athletes, including serving on the coaching staff at Norco High School.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Tony’s experience helped him guide his younger brothers through the challenges of recruiting and competitive football.
He also provided advice about the importance of maintaining discipline and developing a strong work ethic.
Troy Dye’s Brother: Jordan Dye
Jordan Dye is another of Troy Dye’s brothers who pursued college football.
According to Travis Dye’s official USC Athletics biography, Jordan played wide receiver at Sterling College in Kansas between 2015 and 2017.
Like his siblings, Jordan grew up in a competitive household where football was an important part of family life.
His experiences in college football contributed to the family’s remarkable record of having five brothers compete at the collegiate level.
Although Jordan’s college football participation is documented, information about his current profession and personal relationships has not been widely established in reliable public sources.
Troy Dye’s Brother: Thierry Nguema
Thierry Nguema is another of Troy Dye’s brothers. He is identified as Thierry in the Los Angeles Times’ October 2022 profile of the family.
Unlike several of his siblings, Thierry uses the surname Nguema.
According to Texas Tech University’s official athletics biography, Thierry was born in Gabon and is identified as the son of Mark and Danna Dye.
He attended Santiago High School in Corona, California, before continuing his football career at Texas Tech University.
Thierry played as a defensive back for the Red Raiders, contributing on defense and special teams.
His official college profile also identifies his siblings as Tony, Jordan, Travis, Troy and Jamie, independently confirming the family’s composition.
Although he did not become as widely known as Troy or Tony in the NFL, Thierry was part of the family’s strong tradition of college football participation.
Troy Dye’s Younger Brother: Travis Dye
Travis Dye is Troy Dye’s younger brother and a former college football running back.
Born on September 18, 1999, Travis grew up in Norco, California, where he became one of the area’s most productive high school running backs.
He attended Norco High School and rushed for more than 5,000 yards during his high school career.
In 2018, Travis enrolled at the University of Oregon, following in Troy’s footsteps.
The brothers played together for the Ducks during the 2018 and 2019 college football seasons.
Travis later became one of Oregon’s leading running backs, recording 1,271 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns during the 2021 season.
In 2022, he transferred to the University of Southern California, where he continued his college football career.
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Travis signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, although he was released before the regular season.
In interviews, Travis has discussed how meaningful it was to play alongside Troy at Oregon.
He also credited his older brothers with helping him become a more competitive and determined athlete.
Troy Dye’s Younger Sister: Jamie Dye
Jamie Dye is Troy Dye’s younger sister and the only daughter identified in the Dye family’s publicly documented household of six children.
She was mentioned in the Los Angeles Times’ October 2022 feature about the family’s sporting background.
Although Jamie grew up in the same competitive environment as her brothers, details about her educational background, professional career and personal life have not been extensively documented.
Her inclusion in the family’s sporting activities reflects the importance of competition and shared experiences in the Dye household.
How Troy Dye’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Troy Dye’s family played a central role in his development from a high school football player into an NFL linebacker.
Growing up with four brothers who also played football created an environment where competition was a regular part of everyday life.
His father’s athletic background encouraged physical activity and hard work, while his mother’s experience in athletic training helped him understand the importance of preparation and discipline.
Troy attended Norco High School, where he developed into a promising safety and earned recognition for his defensive performances.
He subsequently enrolled at the University of Oregon in 2016.
At Oregon, Dye became one of the most productive linebackers in school history.
He led the Ducks in tackles during all four of his college seasons, becoming the first Oregon player to achieve that distinction.
He finished his college career with 397 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and five interceptions.
His contributions helped Oregon win the Pac-12 championship and the Rose Bowl following the 2019 season.
The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 132nd overall pick.
After spending four seasons with Minnesota, Dye joined the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2024.
He subsequently earned a two-year contract extension in March 2025, continuing his professional career in Southern California, closer to the area where he grew up.
Beyond his NFL achievements, becoming a father in 2020 added another important dimension to his personal life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Troy Dye’s Family
Who is Troy Dye’s girlfriend?
As of now, Troy Dye is publicly reported to be engaged to Brenda Wang, who was identified as his fiancée in a 2026 Yahoo Lifestyle interview.
Is Troy Dye married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Troy Dye has married. Brenda Wang has been identified as his fiancée.
Who is Troy Dye’s former girlfriend?
Troy Dye was previously in a relationship with Makenzie Dunmore, a former University of Oregon All-American sprinter and the mother of his son.
Does Troy Dye have children?
Yes. Troy Dye has at least one son, Ty Dye, who was born on April 7, 2020.
Who is Troy Dye’s son’s mother?
His son’s mother is Makenzie Dunmore, who was identified as Troy’s girlfriend in official Minnesota Vikings reporting from 2020.
Who is Troy Dye’s father?
His father is Mark Dye, a former San Jose State football player who also spent time in the Houston Astros’ minor league baseball organization.
Who is Troy Dye’s mother?
His mother is Danna Dye, an athletic trainer who worked at Centennial High School in Corona, California.
How many siblings does Troy Dye have?
Troy Dye has five siblings: four brothers named Tony, Jordan, Thierry and Travis, and a younger sister named Jamie.
Is Travis Dye related to Troy Dye?
Yes. Travis Dye is Troy’s younger brother. Both played college football at the University of Oregon.
Is Tony Dye Troy Dye’s brother?
Yes. Tony Dye is one of Troy’s older brothers. He played college football at UCLA and later spent time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Who is Troy Dye’s sister?
His younger sister is Jamie Dye, who was identified in the Los Angeles Times’ 2022 profile of the family.
Where is Troy Dye’s family from?
Troy Dye grew up in Norco, California, where his parents raised their six children.
How old is Troy Dye?
Born on September 18, 1996, Troy Dye is 30 years old as of now.
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.
