Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Karene Reid is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 19, 2000, in American Fork, Utah, Reid comes from a family with strong Samoan roots and a remarkable history in American football.
Karene Reid’s family includes his wife, Addison Reid, their two children, his parents, Spencer and Marieta Reid, and three siblings named Gabe, Mana and Matlena. His father is a former NFL linebacker, while his older brother Gabe also played college football. Reid has frequently discussed how his family’s values, traditions and support have influenced his journey from the University of Utah to professional football.
Who Is Karene Reid’s Wife or Girlfriend?
Karene Reid is married to Addison Reid. Their marriage is confirmed in his official University of Utah Athletics biography, which identifies Addison as his wife.
Unlike athletes who frequently publicize their romantic relationships, Reid has maintained a relatively private personal life. However, he has openly acknowledged being married and has discussed how his family influences his priorities.
During an interview published by Dan Clark in January 2023, Reid explained that becoming a successful husband and father was just as important to him as achieving success on the football field.
He emphasized that his approach to life involves giving his best effort in every role, including being a professional athlete, husband, father and student.
His statements demonstrate that marriage and family responsibilities were already significant parts of his life during his college football career.
Although Addison Reid is publicly identified as his wife, reliable sources provide limited additional information about her professional background, childhood or education.
The couple’s exact wedding date and the circumstances surrounding their relationship before marriage have not been reliably documented in established public sources.
As of now, Addison Reid is the publicly identified wife of Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid.
Karene Reid’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Karene Reid is a father of two children, according to a report published by Anthony Lambatos on the MIBE website following a Denver Broncos kickoff luncheon in 2026.
Lambatos, who spoke directly with Reid at the event, described how the linebacker discussed being separated from his family during NFL training camp before eventually moving his wife and two children to Denver.
One of Reid’s children is his son Manu, whose name and early childhood were confirmed by the player himself during interviews in December 2022.
Manu Reid – Karene Reid’s Son
Manu is Karene Reid’s publicly identified son. The linebacker spoke about him during media activities ahead of the 2023 Rose Bowl, when Utah was preparing to face Penn State.
In a December 29, 2022, press conference, Reid revealed that his son was six months old at the time. This suggests Manu was born around the middle of 2022, although his exact birthday has not been publicly established.
Reid also recalled taking Manu to Disneyland during the Rose Bowl festivities. He explained that traveling with a young child required adjusting the family’s activities to accommodate his son’s needs.
When a reporter asked for his son’s name, Reid confirmed that he was called Manu and spelled the name for the interviewer.
In another interview, Reid discussed his desire to pass important family values to Manu, including kindness, service, respect and hard work.
He explained that his Samoan upbringing had shaped his personal character and that he wanted his son to understand those same traditions.
Karene Reid’s Second Child
Karene Reid also has a second child, according to Anthony Lambatos’s account of a conversation with the linebacker at a Denver Broncos event.
The report described Reid’s relief after he was able to relocate his wife and two children to Denver following his successful effort to make the Broncos’ roster.
However, the second child’s name, gender and date of birth were not disclosed in that account.
No reliable public source reviewed for this article establishes those additional details.
As of now, Karene Reid is reported to have two children, including his son Manu.
Karene Reid’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Karene Reid was born to Spencer Reid and Marieta Reid. His mother’s first name also appears as Marrieta in some University of Utah records.
Both parents have played important roles in his personal development, with his father influencing his football career and his mother placing considerable emphasis on education.
Reid has described his upbringing as strongly influenced by Samoan cultural traditions, particularly the importance of family, service, respect and determination.
Spencer Reid – Karene Reid’s Father
Spencer Reid is Karene Reid’s father and a former professional American football linebacker who played in the NFL.
Originally from American Samoa, Spencer moved to the United States to pursue football opportunities and eventually joined Brigham Young University (BYU).
He played linebacker for BYU from 1994 to 1997 under legendary coach LaVell Edwards.
Following his college football career, Spencer signed with the Carolina Panthers and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts.
According to the University of Utah’s official biography of Karene Reid, his father’s professional playing career ended after he suffered a serious back injury.
Spencer’s football experience became an important influence on his children, particularly Karene and Gabe, who both pursued the sport at the collegiate level.
In his January 2023 interview with Dan Clark, Karene explained that his father frequently encouraged his sons to make the most of their football opportunities.
Spencer believed that his children had access to better coaching, training resources and film study than he had experienced while growing up in American Samoa.
Karene recalled that his father’s determination motivated him to pursue high standards and develop his own competitive mindset.
He also described how his father’s coaching approach evolved over time. During high school, Spencer could be demanding when reviewing mistakes, but as his sons matured, their conversations became more collaborative.
The relationship helped Karene understand the importance of constructive criticism, personal responsibility and continuous improvement.
Marieta Reid – Karene Reid’s Mother
Marieta Reid is Karene Reid’s mother and an influential figure in his upbringing.
Her name is recorded as Marieta in the official University of Utah biography of Gabe Reid and in Stanford University’s football biography of Gabe. Karene’s Utah biography uses the spelling Marrieta.
While Spencer helped his sons develop their football abilities, Marieta placed particular importance on academic achievement.
During his interview with Dan Clark, Karene explained that his mother consistently encouraged him and his siblings to perform well in school.
He also described his parents as teachers, highlighting the family’s emphasis on education and personal growth.
Her encouragement helped Karene maintain academic responsibilities while competing in one of college football’s most demanding conferences.
His commitment to academics was recognized when he earned a place on the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.
For Karene, succeeding in the classroom was another way to honor the expectations and values established by his parents.
Although Marieta has generally remained outside the national sports spotlight, her role in encouraging education has been publicly acknowledged by her son.
Karene Reid’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers and Sister
Karene Reid has three siblings: two brothers named Gabe and Mana, and one sister named Matlena.
Their names are confirmed in the official college football biographies of Gabe Reid, published by Stanford University and the University of Utah.
Of the three siblings, Gabe has received the most public attention because of his own successful college football career.
Gabe Reid – Karene Reid’s Older Brother
Gabe Simi Reid is Karene Reid’s older brother and a former college football player who competed for Stanford University and the University of Utah.
Gabe is approximately three years older than Karene, a detail Karene confirmed in his January 2023 interview.
Like his younger brother, Gabe attended Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, where he developed into an accomplished defensive player.
During his high school career, Gabe recorded 251 tackles and 41 sacks while helping Timpview win three state championships.
He subsequently joined Stanford University, where he played as a defensive end and outside linebacker.
Before the 2022 college football season, Gabe transferred to the University of Utah, allowing him to become teammates with his younger brother.
The opportunity carried significant emotional importance for both players because they had never previously competed together as regular teammates.
In a December 2022 interview with Deseret News, the brothers discussed the significance of finally sharing the field at Utah.
Karene explained that he had looked up to Gabe throughout childhood and often tried to follow his example.
Playing alongside him during the 2022 season strengthened their relationship and created memorable experiences for their family.
The brothers helped Utah win the Pac-12 championship and reach the Rose Bowl against Penn State.
Mana Reid – Karene Reid’s Brother
Mana Reid is another brother of Karene Reid.
His name appears in the official football biographies of Gabe Reid, which identify the Reid family’s four children as Gabe, Karene, Mana and Matlena.
Unlike Gabe and Karene, Mana has maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable sports sources reviewed for this article do not establish his profession, education, date of birth or whether he pursued competitive football.
Nevertheless, his inclusion in the family’s official athletic biographies confirms his relationship with Karene.
Matlena Reid – Karene Reid’s Sister
Matlena Reid is Karene Reid’s sister and the only daughter identified among Spencer and Marieta Reid’s four children.
Her name is confirmed in Stanford University and University of Utah athletic records documenting Gabe Reid’s family background.
Matlena has remained largely outside the public spotlight, and there is limited verified information concerning her career, education or personal life.
Although her brothers have gained recognition through football, Matlena’s personal activities have not been extensively documented by established sports publications.
Karene Reid’s Extended Family: Uncles and Cousins
Karene Reid belongs to an extended family with a remarkable history in American football.
Several relatives have competed at the collegiate and professional levels, helping establish the Reid family’s reputation within Utah football.
His uncle Gabe Reid played football at BYU before spending time with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears.
Other paternal uncles, including Jared Reid, Gordon Reid and Adney Reid, played college football for universities in Utah.
His extended family also includes Logan Fano and Spencer Fano, both of whom played football at the University of Utah.
The Fano brothers are cousins of Karene Reid and come from another branch of the family’s American Samoan football lineage.
In a November 2024 feature, Deseret News explored how the Reid and Fano families developed deep connections to BYU and Utah football.
Those relationships have created a sporting legacy across multiple generations, with relatives representing different universities and professional teams.
Karene Reid’s Early Life and Family Background
Karene Reid was born in American Fork, Utah, on February 19, 2000.
He grew up in a family that valued football, education, faith and Samoan cultural traditions.
During his teenage years, he attended Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, where he became a successful linebacker.
He earned first-team all-state recognition and was named Utah Valley Defensive MVP in 2017.
Reid initially committed to Utah State University but later changed his plans.
Before beginning his college football career, he served a mission in Madagascar for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After returning, Reid joined the University of Utah as a walk-on player rather than entering the program with a football scholarship.
He eventually earned a scholarship and developed into a regular starter for the Utes.
Across four college football seasons from 2021 to 2024, he appeared in 43 games, recording 238 tackles, nine sacks and three interceptions.
His performances earned him second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022 and 2023.
Despite his college achievements, Reid was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025.
He impressed the coaching staff sufficiently to secure a place on Denver’s 53-man roster for the 2025 season.
His transition to the NFL also created new responsibilities for his family, including relocating his wife and children to Denver.
Throughout his journey, the principles established by his parents and his experiences as a husband and father have continued to influence his approach to football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karene Reid’s Family
Who is Karene Reid’s wife?
Karene Reid is married to Addison Reid. Their marriage is confirmed in his official University of Utah Athletics biography.
Does Karene Reid have a girlfriend?
Karene Reid is publicly identified as a married man. His wife is Addison Reid, rather than a publicly identified girlfriend.
How many children does Karene Reid have?
Karene Reid has two children, according to an account published by Anthony Lambatos following a conversation with the Broncos linebacker. One of his children is a son named Manu.
Who is Karene Reid’s son?
His son is named Manu. During a December 2022 press conference, Reid revealed that Manu was six months old at the time.
Who is Karene Reid’s father?
His father is Spencer Reid, a former BYU linebacker who also played professionally for the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts.
Who is Karene Reid’s mother?
His mother is Marieta Reid, whose name also appears as Marrieta in some official University of Utah records. Karene has credited her with emphasizing education and academic achievement.
Who are Karene Reid’s siblings?
Karene Reid has three siblings: Gabe Reid, Mana Reid and Matlena Reid.
Is Gabe Reid related to Karene Reid?
Yes. Gabe Reid is Karene Reid’s older brother. Both played college football at the University of Utah during the 2022 season.
Is Karene Reid related to Logan and Spencer Fano?
Yes. Logan Fano and Spencer Fano are Karene Reid’s cousins. They belong to an extended family with strong connections to college and professional football.
Where is Karene Reid from?
Karene Reid was born in American Fork, Utah, and attended Timpview High School in Provo. His family also has strong cultural ties to American Samoa.
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.
