Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
D.J. Jones is an American professional football defensive tackle who plays for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Born David Oliver Jones on January 19, 1995, in Greenville, South Carolina, he played college football at East Mississippi Community College and the University of Mississippi before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Beyond his achievements on the football field, Jones comes from a close-knit family with a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, hard work and community involvement.
D.J. Jones is married to Kayla Jones, formerly Kayla Fannin, and the couple has a daughter born on August 4, 2022. His parents are David “Big Dave” Jones and Patricia Jones, who established a family barbecue business, while he has three older sisters whose names have not been widely documented. His family has been an important source of motivation throughout his football career, influencing his personal values, professional decisions and commitment to helping others.
D.J. Jones’s Wife: Meet Kayla Fannin Jones
D.J. Jones’s wife is Kayla Jones (née Fannin), an entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast and longtime supporter of the Denver Broncos defensive tackle.
Kayla became known to NFL fans after Jones proposed to her on the field at Levi’s Stadium in October 2019, shortly before a nationally televised San Francisco 49ers game.
Since their marriage, she has developed her own business interests while supporting her husband’s football career.
She has also become recognizable among Broncos fans for her fashionable game-day outfits and appearances at NFL events.
In December 2025, PEOPLE magazine published an interview with Kayla about her business activities, fashion interests and experiences as the wife of a professional football player.
The interview highlighted her work as a businesswoman and mother.
How Did D.J. Jones Meet Kayla Fannin?
D.J. Jones met Kayla Fannin through one of his older sisters.
The story was confirmed during an October 2019 interview with ESPN following the couple’s engagement.
According to the report, Jones had been dating Kayla for approximately two years before proposing, suggesting that their relationship began around 2017.
That was also the year he joined the San Francisco 49ers after completing his college football career.
Although the precise circumstances of their first meeting have not been extensively documented, his sister’s involvement demonstrates the importance of family connections in their relationship.
The couple continued dating while Jones established himself in the NFL.
As their relationship became more serious, he decided to organize a memorable marriage proposal.
When Did D.J. Jones Propose to Kayla Fannin?
D.J. Jones proposed to Kayla Fannin on October 7, 2019, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The proposal occurred before the San Francisco 49ers played the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.
According to the 49ers’ official website, Jones organized the surprise with assistance from teammate Solomon Thomas and members of the organization’s player engagement staff.
Jones originally considered proposing in the team’s family room.
However, Thomas suggested arranging the moment on the field, where it could become a more memorable experience.
With assistance from the organization, Jones arranged for Kayla and several relatives to visit the sideline before kickoff.
The group initially pretended to be gathering for photographs.
While standing beside Kayla, Jones pointed toward the opposite side of the stadium to distract her.
When she turned around, he dropped to one knee and presented an engagement ring.
Kayla was visibly surprised and emotional before accepting his proposal.
Family members and teammates celebrated the occasion, and the stadium displayed footage of the proposal on its video boards.
Later that evening, San Francisco defeated Cleveland 31-3, making the occasion even more memorable for Jones.
When Did D.J. Jones Get Married?
D.J. Jones and Kayla Fannin married in 2020, according to Sports Illustrated’s coverage of Denver Broncos players’ wives and girlfriends.
The couple announced their marriage through social media following their engagement the previous year.
However, their exact wedding ceremony date and venue have not been consistently documented in major sports publications.
By March 2022, when Jones signed his first contract with the Denver Broncos, Kayla was publicly identified as his wife.
She accompanied him to his introductory press conference in Denver while expecting their first child.
Since then, the couple has continued building their family life in Colorado.
Kayla Jones’s Business: Women With Ballz
Beyond being married to an NFL player, Kayla Jones has developed her own identity as an entrepreneur.
In 2025, she launched Women With Ballz, a fashion accessories business specializing in handbags made from actual American footballs.
The unusual handbags feature zippers and handles, transforming sports equipment into fashionable accessories for game days and other occasions.
In her December 15, 2025, interview with PEOPLE, Kayla explained that the idea developed from her interest in combining football culture with personal style.
She wanted to create something that would allow women attending NFL games to express their individuality.
The products became increasingly recognizable among football fans during the 2025 season.
Kayla also collaborated with Smirnoff on a campaign celebrating fashion and the social experience surrounding professional football.
Her business demonstrates that she has pursued independent professional interests alongside her husband’s NFL career.
D.J. Jones’s Children: Meet His Daughter
D.J. Jones has one publicly confirmed child, a daughter born on August 4, 2022.
The Denver Broncos officially announced the child’s arrival in an article published on August 8, 2022.
At the time, Jones was participating in his first training camp with Denver after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
The birth represented one of the most important personal milestones of his life.
D.J. Jones’s Daughter – Born August 4, 2022
D.J. and Kayla Jones welcomed their daughter on August 4, 2022.
According to the Denver Broncos’ official report, the couple announced the birth through Instagram two days later.
Jones confirmed that both his wife and their newborn daughter were healthy.
His teammates and coaches congratulated him when he returned to practice.
Fellow defensive lineman Mike Purcell, who was already a father, was particularly enthusiastic about the news.
The birth coincided with a major transition in Jones’s career because he had joined Denver only a few months earlier.
Although the couple has shared occasional photographs of their daughter, her first name has not been consistently established in the reliable public reporting reviewed for this article.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to assign her an unverified name.
How Fatherhood Changed D.J. Jones’s Life
Becoming a father significantly influenced Jones’s approach to professional football.
In an August 2022 interview with the Denver Broncos, he explained that his daughter had given him additional motivation to succeed.
He described her as an important reason for working hard and preparing for games.
Jones also emphasized that his wife, parents, siblings and teammates were central to his purpose as a professional athlete.
He wanted to provide financial security for his family while setting a positive example for his daughter.
In December 2025, PEOPLE independently confirmed that Kayla and D.J. were raising their three-year-old daughter.
Sports Illustrated’s later family coverage also identifies one child.
As of now, their daughter born in August 2022 remains the only child publicly confirmed in dependable reporting.
D.J. Jones’s Parents: Meet David and Patricia Jones
D.J. Jones was born to David Jones and Patricia Jones, whose names are confirmed by his official University of Mississippi football biography.
His father is widely known as “Big Dave” because of his barbecue business, while his mother has participated in the family’s entrepreneurial activities.
Both parents made significant sacrifices to provide educational and athletic opportunities for their children.
D.J. Jones’s Father: David “Big Dave” Jones
David “Big Dave” Jones is D.J. Jones’s father and an entrepreneur known for his barbecue restaurants, catering services and sauces.
His business began in Dallas, Texas, in 1990.
According to a March 2022 interview published by the Denver Broncos, David initially developed barbecue sauces before opening a small restaurant with approximately fifteen seats.
Over time, the operation expanded into a family business serving individuals, organizations and professional sports teams.
The business eventually became known as Big Dave’s All-American BBQ.
David’s food was particularly popular among football players and their families.
During the family’s years in Texas, his catering work included serving members of the Dallas Cowboys organization.
These experiences introduced young D.J. to the world of professional football long before he became an NFL player himself.
How Big Dave Inspired His Son’s NFL Dreams
D.J. grew up hearing stories about his father’s interactions with professional athletes.
According to the Broncos’ family feature, David’s catering activities gave his son opportunities to meet Dallas Cowboys players.
Jones recalled being held by NFL stars Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman when he was very young.
The experiences helped inspire his interest in the sport.
However, David’s influence extended beyond football.
As a business owner, he demonstrated the importance of dedication, resilience and serving customers.
D.J. witnessed firsthand how much work was required to maintain a family business.
Those lessons eventually became important parts of his professional identity.
David Jones’s Sacrifices for His Son’s Football Career
One of the most significant examples of David’s dedication occurred during D.J.’s high school years.
After the family moved to South Carolina, D.J. initially attended a school where the football program faced difficulties.
His parents wanted him to have access to a stronger athletic environment.
Rather than attempting to bypass the school’s residency requirements, they decided to relocate.
According to David’s March 2022 interview, the family temporarily lived in an older trailer so D.J. could attend a different school.
The arrangement was not ideal, but the family considered it worthwhile because of the potential opportunities for their son.
Eventually, their circumstances improved.
Jones attended Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina, where he became a talented defensive lineman.
His father’s willingness to make sacrifices helped create a pathway toward college and professional football.
D.J. Jones’s Mother: Patricia Jones
Patricia Jones is D.J. Jones’s mother and an important member of the family’s barbecue business.
Her identity is confirmed by Ole Miss Athletics, which lists David and Patricia as his parents.
She supported her son’s development throughout childhood and remained involved as he progressed through high school, junior college and university football.
In December 2021, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Jones hoped to earn enough money from his next NFL contract to allow both parents to retire from their barbecue business.
The article described David and Patricia as working in the family’s catering operation.
Jones recognized the sacrifices his parents had made and wanted to provide them with greater financial security.
Although Patricia has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband, her role in supporting the family is an important part of Jones’s story.
Why D.J. Jones Wanted to Support His Parents Financially
During his final season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, Jones was approaching unrestricted free agency.
He understood that a major contract could provide long-term financial opportunities for his relatives.
In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Jones expressed his ambition to help his parents retire from the physically demanding barbecue business.
He also wanted to provide support for his three older sisters.
When Denver signed him to a three-year contract worth $30 million in March 2022, the agreement represented a significant step toward those goals.
At his introductory press conference, Jones became emotional while discussing his parents’ contributions to his life.
David was also visibly moved when his son acknowledged the family’s sacrifices.
The moment demonstrated the importance of family relationships in Jones’s professional decisions.
D.J. Jones’s Siblings: Meet His Three Older Sisters
D.J. Jones has three older sisters.
Their existence was directly confirmed by the player during his introductory Denver Broncos press conference in March 2022.
The San Francisco Chronicle also documented his three older sisters in December 2021.
Although these sources establish the number of sisters, they do not provide a reliably verified list of their names.
D.J. Jones’s Older Sisters
Jones grew up as the youngest publicly documented child in a family that included three older sisters.
His sisters supported him during childhood and continued following his athletic progress as he entered professional football.
One sister played a particularly important role in his romantic life by introducing him to Kayla Fannin.
According to ESPN’s October 2019 interview, Jones met his future wife through his sister before the couple began dating.
The report did not identify which of his three sisters made the introduction.
In March 2022, Jones publicly thanked his sisters while discussing the people who had helped him reach the NFL.
He also expressed his desire to provide financial assistance to all three.
Although their names and individual occupations remain largely private, his comments demonstrate the importance of their relationships.
Does D.J. Jones Have Any Brothers?
There are no publicly verified reports identifying a brother of D.J. Jones.
His statements to the Broncos and the San Francisco Chronicle specifically mention three older sisters.
However, those accounts do not independently establish every possible extended family relationship.
As of now, his three older sisters are his only reliably documented siblings.
D.J. Jones’s Childhood and Family Background in South Carolina
D.J. Jones was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on January 19, 1995.
His family spent time in Texas before settling in the Greenville area, where his father continued operating the barbecue business.
Jones attended Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina.
During his high school years, he developed into one of the region’s promising defensive linemen.
He also participated in basketball and track and field, competing in the shot put and discus.
His physical strength and athletic ability attracted attention from college football recruiters.
However, his route to major college football was not straightforward.
He initially enrolled at East Mississippi Community College, where he became part of one of the nation’s most successful junior college football programs.
How D.J. Jones’s Family Supported His College Football Career
At East Mississippi Community College, Jones developed into a productive defensive lineman.
The team achieved a combined 24-0 record during his two seasons and won consecutive NJCAA national championships.
Jones earned all-region and all-state honors while establishing himself as one of the leading junior college defensive tackle prospects in the country.
His performances attracted attention from major universities.
In 2015, he transferred to the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss.
Jones became an important member of the Rebels’ defensive line.
During two seasons at Ole Miss, he recorded 70 tackles and six sacks.
His college career also included participation in the Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma State following the 2015 season.
The opportunity to play at a major Southeastern Conference university represented an important achievement for Jones and his family.
D.J. Jones’s NFL Career: From San Francisco to Denver
The San Francisco 49ers selected D.J. Jones with the 198th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
He spent five seasons in San Francisco, gradually establishing himself as a reliable defensive tackle and run defender.
His career with the 49ers included an appearance in Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.
In March 2022, Jones signed a three-year contract worth $30 million with the Denver Broncos.
The move represented an important financial milestone and gave him an opportunity to provide greater support for his family.
He became one of Denver’s most consistent defensive linemen, particularly because of his strength against opposing rushing attacks.
On March 11, 2025, the Broncos announced that Jones had signed another three-year contract.
According to ESPN, the deal was worth $39 million, including $26 million fully guaranteed.
The agreement reflected Denver’s confidence in his contributions to the defensive line.
Jones continued playing for the Broncos through the 2025 season and remained on the roster entering 2026.
The D.J. Jones Foundation and His Family’s Charitable Work
The Jones family has also developed charitable initiatives connected to the community.
In 2017, they established the D.J. Jones Foundation, an organization focused on helping underserved children and families.
According to the San Francisco 49ers’ official website, the foundation has supported youth football camps, toy drives, food distribution and other community activities.
The family’s barbecue business became part of those efforts.
David Jones developed specialty barbecue sauces featuring D.J.’s image and jersey number.
A portion of the proceeds was designated to support the foundation’s charitable work.
Jones also collaborated with former San Francisco teammate Solomon Thomas on initiatives connecting food, football and community service.
The efforts demonstrate how the family’s entrepreneurial background helped create opportunities to support others.
Frequently Asked Questions About D.J. Jones’s Family
Who is D.J. Jones’s wife?
D.J. Jones’s wife is Kayla Jones, formerly Kayla Fannin. The couple became engaged in October 2019 and married in 2020.
How did D.J. Jones meet his wife?
D.J. Jones met Kayla Fannin through one of his three older sisters. They began dating around 2017.
When did D.J. Jones get engaged?
D.J. Jones proposed to Kayla Fannin on October 7, 2019, at Levi’s Stadium before the San Francisco 49ers played the Cleveland Browns.
When did D.J. Jones get married?
D.J. Jones and Kayla Fannin married in 2020, according to Sports Illustrated. Their exact wedding ceremony date has not been consistently documented.
How many children does D.J. Jones have?
D.J. Jones has one publicly confirmed child, a daughter born on August 4, 2022.
What is D.J. Jones’s daughter’s name?
His daughter’s first name has not been consistently established in reliable public reporting. The Denver Broncos confirmed her birth date as August 4, 2022.
Who are D.J. Jones’s parents?
D.J. Jones’s parents are David “Big Dave” Jones and Patricia Jones. They operated a family barbecue business that began in Texas before continuing in South Carolina.
Who is D.J. Jones’s father?
D.J. Jones’s father is David “Big Dave” Jones, an entrepreneur known for his barbecue restaurants, catering services and signature sauces.
Who is D.J. Jones’s mother?
D.J. Jones’s mother is Patricia Jones, who helped support the family through its barbecue and catering business.
How many siblings does D.J. Jones have?
D.J. Jones has three older sisters, as confirmed by his own comments to the Denver Broncos in March 2022.
Does D.J. Jones have a brother?
There are no publicly verified reports identifying a brother of D.J. Jones. His three older sisters are his only reliably documented siblings.
What is D.J. Jones’s real name?
D.J. Jones’s full name is David Oliver Jones, according to his official University of Mississippi football biography.
Where is D.J. Jones from?
D.J. Jones was born on January 19, 1995, in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended Wren High School in Piedmont before playing college football at East Mississippi Community College and Ole Miss.
What NFL team does D.J. Jones play for?
D.J. Jones plays defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos. He joined the organization in March 2022 after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
