Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
JL Skinner III is an American professional football player who plays as a safety for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 16, 2001, in San Diego, California, Skinner grew up in a supportive family that played an important role in his development from a young athlete into a professional football player.
JL Skinner’s family includes his mother, Thomasina Alexander, his father, JL Skinner Jr., his stepmother, Tonya Skinner, and his sister, Teri. His father served more than 20 years in the United States Navy, while his mother helped establish a youth football league so he could compete safely during childhood. Although Skinner has openly discussed his parents’ influence on his career, he has maintained considerable privacy regarding his girlfriend, marital status and possible children.
Who Is JL Skinner’s Girlfriend?
JL Skinner has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend.
Despite attracting attention through his performances with the Denver Broncos, the American safety has generally kept his romantic relationships away from the public spotlight.
His interviews with established sports publications primarily focus on his football career, his experiences at Boise State University and the encouragement he received from his parents.
There have been no reliably verified public announcements identifying a romantic partner or confirming that he is involved in a long-term relationship.
His official Denver Broncos biography also does not provide information about a girlfriend or fiancée.
However, the absence of public relationship information does not necessarily mean that Skinner is single.
As of now, JL Skinner’s current girlfriend has not been publicly identified through reliable sources.
Is JL Skinner Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that JL Skinner is married.
Neither the Denver Broncos nor Boise State University identifies a wife in his official athletic biographies.
Similarly, established sports reporting about his family background has not documented a wedding or marriage announcement.
Skinner appears to maintain a relatively private personal life outside professional football.
Consequently, his marital status remains unconfirmed, and it would be inaccurate to identify a wife without reliable supporting evidence.
JL Skinner’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is currently no verified public information confirming that JL Skinner has children.
His official NFL biography does not identify any sons or daughters, and established interviews discussing his family background have not confirmed that he is a father.
Although Skinner frequently acknowledges the importance of his parents, he has not publicly established that he has children through the reliable sources reviewed.
Some professional athletes choose to keep information about their children private, so the absence of public documentation should not be treated as definitive proof that he does not have any.
As of now, JL Skinner has no publicly confirmed children.
JL Skinner’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
JL Skinner was born to Thomasina Alexander and JL Skinner Jr. in San Diego, California.
Both parents have played significant roles in his development, particularly during his childhood and college football career.
In December 2022, the Idaho Statesman published a detailed family profile explaining how his mother’s dedication and his father’s enthusiastic support helped him pursue competitive football.
The report also identified his stepmother, Tonya Skinner, who regularly attended Boise State football games with his father.
JL Skinner Jr. – JL Skinner’s Father
JL Skinner Jr. is the father of Denver Broncos safety JL Skinner III and a retired member of the United States Navy.
He served in the Navy for more than 20 years, a career that occasionally prevented him from attending his son’s football games.
According to the Idaho Statesman, Skinner’s father missed many of his games during high school and his first two years at Boise State because of his military responsibilities.
However, following his retirement, he began attending nearly every home game during his son’s senior college football season.
His appearance in the stands became particularly recognizable among Boise State supporters.
Rather than wearing ordinary fan clothing, JL Skinner Jr. regularly attended games dressed in elaborate custom-made suits, matching hats and distinctive accessories.
His outfits included colorful jackets, coordinating shoes, decorative canes and gold chains.
One of his most memorable accessories was a large diamond-studded necklace featuring the number zero, which was his son’s jersey number at Boise State.
The father explained that he enjoyed dressing distinctively because he wanted his son to recognize him in the crowd.
Although Skinner was initially somewhat embarrassed by the elaborate outfits, he eventually began looking for his father in the stands before games.
Their relationship became an example of how parents can celebrate their children’s achievements while supporting their sporting ambitions.
Skinner has publicly acknowledged that knowing his family was watching him motivated him to work harder on the football field.
Why Is JL Skinner Called JL Skinner III?
JL Skinner’s name represents a family naming tradition extending across three generations.
According to a May 2023 article published by DNVR Sports, the letters JL are his actual first name rather than initials representing a longer name.
His father and paternal grandfather also share the name JL.
Consequently, the Denver Broncos player is commonly identified as JL Skinner III, distinguishing him from the previous generations of his family.
Although the name is unusual, Skinner has retained it throughout his football career, including his years at Boise State and his time in the NFL.
Thomasina Alexander – JL Skinner’s Mother
Thomasina Alexander is JL Skinner’s mother and one of the most influential figures in his football journey.
Her dedication to helping her son pursue competitive sports was documented in a December 2022 feature by Idaho Statesman journalist Ron Counts.
Alexander initially had limited knowledge of American football, but she began studying the sport so she could better understand her son’s interests.
She watched games, researched youth football programs and learned about training techniques and player safety.
Her involvement became especially important when JL encountered an unusual challenge as a young athlete.
Because of his height and physical development, he was considered too large to compete against children in his age group in the local Pop Warner football program.
However, he was also too young to play against older athletes.
The situation created a problem for his mother, who wanted him to enjoy football without being placed in an inappropriate competition.
Rather than allowing the circumstances to prevent her son from playing, Alexander decided to help create a new opportunity.
How Thomasina Alexander Helped Create a Youth Football League
In 2013, Thomasina Alexander helped establish the Point Loma Youth Football League in San Diego.
She worked alongside two local youth coaches to organize the program, which provided an opportunity for children such as JL to participate in age-appropriate football.
Her responsibilities included recruiting and registering coaches, enrolling young players and coordinating training activities.
She also participated in educational sessions about football safety and proper tackling techniques.
The experience required Alexander to learn about the administration of organized sports, even though she had not previously managed a football league.
Her initiative allowed JL to continue pursuing a sport he loved.
Although she initially hoped her son would play a position such as quarterback, Skinner preferred the physical aspects of defense.
He eventually developed into a safety, a position that allowed him to use his size, speed and tackling ability.
His mother’s efforts became a significant part of his early sporting development.
Without her determination to establish another football opportunity, his pathway through organized youth football might have been considerably different.
Tonya Skinner – JL Skinner’s Stepmother
Tonya Skinner is JL Skinner’s stepmother and the wife of his father, JL Skinner Jr.
Her identity was confirmed in the December 2022 Idaho Statesman family feature.
According to the article, Tonya regularly accompanied her husband to Boise State football games to support JL during his college career.
She appeared in photographs alongside his father and biological mother during the 2022 season.
Her presence at the games demonstrated the support Skinner received from members of his extended family.
Although Tonya has been publicly identified, there is limited independently verified information about her profession, education and personal background.
JL Skinner’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
JL Skinner has at least one publicly confirmed sibling, a sister named Teri.
Her identity was documented in the December 2022 Idaho Statesman feature covering his family’s involvement in his football career.
However, reliable public reporting does not establish whether Skinner has additional brothers or sisters.
Teri – JL Skinner’s Sister
Teri is JL Skinner’s sister and one of the family members who supported him during his college football career.
She appeared alongside Skinner, their father and their mother during Boise State’s senior day celebrations in November 2022.
The family attended the Broncos’ final regular-season home game, a 42-23 victory over Utah State.
A photograph published by the Idaho Statesman showed Teri with her brother and parents during the celebration.
Her participation highlighted the importance of family support during a meaningful milestone in Skinner’s college career.
However, established public sources provide limited information about Teri’s age, education, profession or personal life.
There is also no reliable confirmation of whether she is older or younger than JL.
As of now, Teri remains JL Skinner’s only publicly identified sibling, although additional siblings cannot be ruled out.
JL Skinner’s Early Life and Family Background
JL Skinner III was born on April 16, 2001, in San Diego, California.
He grew up in the Point Loma community, where he developed an early interest in competitive sports.
During his childhood, Skinner participated in several athletic activities, including football, basketball and track and field.
His mother’s involvement in youth football allowed him to develop his abilities while competing against players of an appropriate age.
He later attended Point Loma High School, where he established himself as one of the area’s leading football prospects.
During his junior season, he earned All-CIF San Diego Section and first-team All-Western League recognition.
As a senior, he received first-team All-CIF San Diego Section honors and helped his team reach the Division II quarterfinals.
His impressive physical attributes and athletic versatility attracted attention from several college football programs.
Skinner ultimately committed to Boise State University, where he continued developing as a defensive back.
JL Skinner’s College Football Career at Boise State
JL Skinner played college football for the Boise State Broncos from 2019 to 2022.
He initially played several positions before eventually establishing himself as a safety.
According to a May 2023 interview published by the Denver Broncos, Skinner explained that he became especially comfortable at safety after transitioning to the position during college.
His ability to combine physical tackling with pass coverage helped him develop into one of the Mountain West Conference’s most respected defensive players.
During the 2021 season, he recorded 92 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Those performances earned him second-team All-Mountain West recognition.
He returned for his senior season in 2022 and recorded 65 tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defended.
His achievements earned first-team All-Mountain West honors.
Across his four college seasons, Skinner appeared in 44 games, making 31 starts and recording 208 tackles, seven interceptions and 20 passes defended.
His success attracted attention from NFL scouts, and he entered the 2023 NFL Draft as a promising safety prospect.
JL Skinner’s NFL Career With the Denver Broncos
On April 29, 2023, the Denver Broncos selected JL Skinner in the sixth round of the NFL Draft with the 183rd overall pick.
His selection represented the fulfillment of a dream that his family had helped support since childhood.
Before the draft, Skinner suffered a pectoral injury that required surgery and affected his preparation for professional football.
Despite that setback, Denver recognized his potential and offered him an opportunity to join the team.
He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Broncos on May 12, 2023.
Skinner made his regular-season NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings on November 19, 2023.
He appeared in two games during his rookie season before receiving a larger role in 2024.
During the 2024 season, he appeared in 14 regular-season games and became an important contributor on special teams.
He recovered a fumble during Denver’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks and continued developing his tackling abilities.
In 2025, Skinner appeared in all 17 regular-season games and recorded 12 special-teams tackles.
One of his most memorable performances came on November 6, 2025, when he blocked a punt against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The play helped Denver secure a narrow 10-7 victory and demonstrated his value to the team beyond his responsibilities as a defensive safety.
As he continued his NFL career in 2026, Skinner remained an example of an athlete whose development was supported by significant family sacrifices and encouragement.
JL Skinner’s Connection to the Boys & Girls Club
In addition to his mother’s involvement in youth football, JL Skinner benefited from community programs during childhood.
According to the Denver Broncos, he attended a Boys & Girls Club while growing up.
In June 2023, Skinner visited the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club alongside other members of the team’s rookie class.
He explained that returning to an organization similar to one that had supported him during childhood was a meaningful experience.
Skinner expressed appreciation for the opportunities the organization provides to young people who dream of becoming successful athletes.
His participation in the visit reflected an interest in encouraging children who face challenges while pursuing their ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions About JL Skinner’s Family
Who is JL Skinner’s girlfriend?
JL Skinner has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is JL Skinner married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that JL Skinner is married or has a wife.
Does JL Skinner have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for JL Skinner through established sports reporting or official NFL biographies.
Who is JL Skinner’s father?
His father is JL Skinner Jr., a retired United States Navy veteran who served for more than 20 years and regularly supported his son during his college football career.
Who is JL Skinner’s mother?
His mother is Thomasina Alexander, who helped establish the Point Loma Youth Football League in 2013 so her son could continue playing football.
Who is JL Skinner’s stepmother?
His stepmother is Tonya Skinner, the wife of JL Skinner Jr. She attended Boise State football games with other family members.
Does JL Skinner have siblings?
Yes. JL Skinner has at least one publicly confirmed sibling, a sister named Teri.
Who is JL Skinner’s sister?
His sister is Teri, who appeared alongside the family during Boise State’s senior day celebrations in November 2022.
Why is JL Skinner called JL Skinner III?
His name follows a family tradition. His father and paternal grandfather are also named JL, making the Denver Broncos safety the third generation to carry the name.
What does JL stand for in JL Skinner’s name?
According to DNVR Sports, JL is his actual first name. The letters do not represent a longer publicly documented first name.
Where is JL Skinner from?
JL Skinner is from San Diego, California, where he attended Point Loma High School before playing college football at Boise State University.
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.
