Dondrea Tillman’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Mariah Miranda

Dondrea Tillman is an American professional football player who plays as an outside linebacker for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 30, 1998, in Sterling, Virginia, Tillman followed an unconventional path to professional football, relying on perseverance and family support to overcome setbacks in his career.

Dondrea Tillman’s family background has attracted interest as his NFL career has progressed. Public records from his home region appear to identify his parents as Benjamin Anthony Tillman and Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman, while also naming a brother, Marquise Tillman. His grandmother also played a documented role in his football journey, lending him money when he needed an opportunity to continue playing. However, Tillman has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.

Who Is Dondrea Tillman’s Girlfriend?

Dondrea Tillman has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. Despite gaining recognition for his performances with the Denver Broncos, the American linebacker has kept his dating life largely separate from his professional football career.

His public interviews and official biographies focus primarily on his development as an athlete, his experience at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his journey through spring football leagues before reaching the NFL.

There have been no reliably verified public announcements identifying a romantic partner or documenting a current relationship.

Although Tillman maintains a public presence as a professional athlete, the absence of relationship information does not necessarily mean that he is single.

As of now, Dondrea Tillman’s girlfriend has not been publicly identified through reliable sources.

Is Dondrea Tillman Married?

There is no verified public information establishing that Dondrea Tillman is married.

His official Denver Broncos profile does not identify a wife, and established sports reporting about his career has not documented a wedding or marriage announcement.

Consequently, his marital status remains unconfirmed. It would be inaccurate to describe him as married or unmarried without reliable supporting information.

Dondrea Tillman’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?

There is currently no reliable public confirmation that Dondrea Tillman has children.

Neither his official NFL biography nor major interviews about his professional football journey provide verified details about a son or daughter.

Unlike some NFL players who regularly share photographs and stories about their children, Tillman has not publicly established a family life involving children through the sources reviewed.

This does not prove that he is not a father. It simply means that information about any possible children has not been independently verified.

As of now, the Denver Broncos outside linebacker has no publicly confirmed children.

Dondrea Tillman’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?

Dondrea Tillman grew up in Sterling, Virginia, where he attended Potomac Falls High School. Although official sports biographies provide limited information about his parents, a public family record from the same region offers possible details about his background.

A 2013 obituary published by Beach Funeral Home identifies Benjamin Anthony Tillman, a resident of Sterling, Virginia, who died on April 5, 2013.

The obituary names Benjamin’s wife as Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman and identifies two sons, Marquise and Dondrea Tillman, who were associated with nearby Herndon, Virginia.

The combination of the distinctive name Dondrea Tillman and the family’s Northern Virginia location strongly suggests a connection to the Broncos linebacker. Nevertheless, his official team biography does not independently confirm this family relationship.

Dondrea Tillman’s Father – Benjamin Anthony Tillman

Benjamin Anthony Tillman appears to have been Dondrea Tillman’s father, according to the family obituary published in 2013.

Benjamin was born on August 28, 1959, and died on April 5, 2013, at the age of 53.

The funeral-home announcement identified him as a resident of Sterling, Virginia, and listed Dondrea Tillman among his surviving sons.

His funeral service was held on April 13, 2013, at Gatewood Station A.M.E. Zion Church in Morven, North Carolina.

If the obituary refers to the football player’s family, Dondrea would have been 14 years old when his father died, several years before beginning his college football career.

There is limited publicly available information about Benjamin’s profession, his involvement in Dondrea’s athletic development or the nature of their relationship.

The obituary provides a potential identification, but the connection has not been explicitly corroborated by the Denver Broncos or Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dondrea Tillman’s Mother – Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman

Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman is identified in Benjamin Anthony Tillman’s obituary as his wife and the mother of the two sons named in that record.

The announcement associated her with Herndon, Virginia, a community near Sterling, where Dondrea grew up.

If the record concerns the Denver Broncos player, Wilma would be his mother.

However, further details about her professional background, personal interests and involvement in Dondrea’s football career have not been established through reliable public reporting.

Because the relationship is drawn from a family obituary rather than an official player interview, it should be treated as a strongly suggested identification rather than independently confirmed biographical information.

Dondrea Tillman’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?

Dondrea Tillman appears to have a brother named Marquise Tillman, according to the same 2013 obituary.

Marquise Tillman – Dondrea Tillman’s Possible Brother

Marquise Tillman was identified alongside Dondrea Tillman as one of the two sons of Benjamin Anthony Tillman and Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman.

Both were associated with Herndon, Virginia, at the time of Benjamin’s death.

The obituary does not specify which brother is older, and there is no reliable public reporting establishing Marquise’s date of birth, education or profession.

There is also no independently verified information suggesting that Marquise pursued professional football or another sporting career.

While the obituary provides a possible identification of Dondrea’s brother, the relationship has not been confirmed through an official NFL biography.

There is no reliable public information establishing whether Dondrea Tillman has any sisters or additional siblings.

Dondrea Tillman’s Grandmother: The Family Member Who Helped His NFL Dream

One of the most remarkable verified stories about Dondrea Tillman’s family involves his grandmother, who provided financial assistance when his professional football future was uncertain.

According to an August 15, 2025, report by Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette, Tillman borrowed $2,500 from his grandmother in 2021 to participate in The Spring League.

At the time, Tillman had completed his college football career at Indiana University of Pennsylvania but had not secured an opportunity with an NFL team.

The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted his plans, including the cancellation of his professional scouting day in 2020.

Without the exposure he needed, he struggled to attract interest from professional teams.

The Spring League offered him another chance to demonstrate his abilities, but participation required a financial commitment.

Instead of abandoning his ambition, Tillman turned to his grandmother for assistance.

She provided the $2,500 that allowed him to participate in the competition.

That decision became a turning point in his career. His performances attracted attention, eventually helping him earn an opportunity with the Birmingham Stallions in 2022.

Tillman went on to win three consecutive championships with Birmingham before signing with the Denver Broncos in June 2024.

The Denver Gazette also reported that Tillman later offered to repay the money, but his grandmother declined.

Although her name has not been reliably established, her financial support is one of the clearest documented examples of how Dondrea Tillman’s family contributed directly to his NFL journey.

Dondrea Tillman’s Early Life and Family Background

Dondrea Tillman was born on April 30, 1998, in Sterling, Virginia, a community in Loudoun County.

He attended Potomac Falls High School, where he demonstrated athletic ability in both football and basketball.

During his high school years, Tillman played multiple positions, including tight end and defensive lineman.

Despite his athletic potential, he did not receive the major Division I college football offers that many future NFL players attract.

He eventually chose Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Division II program, where he developed into one of the school’s most productive defensive players.

Across 48 college games, Tillman recorded 174 tackles, 30 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions.

His college performances earned him multiple All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors.

However, his transition into professional football was far from straightforward.

After his opportunity to participate in a traditional professional scouting event disappeared in 2020, he had to explore alternative ways of continuing his career.

With financial support from his grandmother, he participated in The Spring League in 2021 before joining the Birmingham Stallions in 2022.

He helped Birmingham win USFL championships in 2022 and 2023 and a UFL championship in 2024.

Following those successes, the Denver Broncos signed Tillman on June 20, 2024.

He made his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 22, 2024, recording two sacks in an impressive first appearance.

He finished the 2024 regular season with five sacks and continued contributing to Denver’s defense in 2025, recording four sacks and two interceptions.

His rise from Division II football to the NFL illustrates his determination and the importance of the opportunities he received along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dondrea Tillman’s Family

Who is Dondrea Tillman’s girlfriend?

Dondrea Tillman has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.

Is Dondrea Tillman married?

There is no verified public information confirming that Dondrea Tillman is married or has a wife.

Does Dondrea Tillman have children?

There are no publicly confirmed reports establishing whether Dondrea Tillman has a son or daughter.

Who is Dondrea Tillman’s father?

A 2013 obituary from Sterling, Virginia, suggests that his father may have been Benjamin Anthony Tillman, who died on April 5, 2013. However, the relationship has not been independently confirmed in an official player biography.

Who is Dondrea Tillman’s mother?

Wilma Cheryl Jones Tillman appears to be his mother, according to a family obituary identifying a son named Dondrea Tillman. The connection remains unconfirmed by official football sources.

Does Dondrea Tillman have a brother?

A Virginia obituary lists Marquise Tillman alongside Dondrea Tillman as one of two brothers. The matching name and hometown suggest a family connection, although independent confirmation is limited.

Does Dondrea Tillman have sisters?

No reliable public information has established whether Dondrea Tillman has sisters.

Who helped Dondrea Tillman financially before the NFL?

His grandmother lent him $2,500 in 2021 so that he could participate in The Spring League, an opportunity that helped revive his professional football ambitions.

Where is Dondrea Tillman from?

Dondrea Tillman was born in Sterling, Virginia, and attended Potomac Falls High School before playing college football at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.