Last Updated on October 15, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Dennis Gardeck is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 9, 1994, in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, he grew up in a family with strong connections to athletics, education, and professional achievement. His parents are Jim and Terri Gardeck, and he has three brothers named Ian, Andrew, and Alex Gardeck.
Off the field, Gardeck is married to Codi Gardeck, whom he married in March 2024. The couple welcomed their first child, Cooper Anthony Gardeck, in June 2024. His older brother Ian was a professional baseball pitcher, while Andrew pursued a medical career and Alex studied mechanical engineering. Their family background reflects the importance of determination, education, and supporting one another.
Who Is Dennis Gardeck’s Wife?
Dennis Gardeck’s wife is Codi Gardeck. The couple married in March 2024, during Dennis’s time with the Arizona Cardinals.
Their marriage is confirmed in the Arizona Cardinals’ official 2024 media guide and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ player biography.
Before their wedding, the couple had been engaged for approximately one year, according to a September 2025 Sports Illustrated feature about Jacksonville Jaguars players’ partners.
Gardeck had also mentioned his fiancée during a December 2023 interview with the Arizona Cardinals, discussing the uncertainty that professional football players sometimes face regarding their careers.
He explained that he and his partner needed to remain prepared for unexpected changes because NFL roster positions are never completely guaranteed.
This perspective reflects the demanding nature of professional football, particularly for players who entered the league without being selected in the NFL Draft.
Codi supported Dennis as he established himself as an important member of the Cardinals’ defensive unit and special teams.
Shortly after their wedding, the couple experienced another significant family milestone when they welcomed their son, Cooper, in June 2024.
The birth came during the NFL offseason, allowing Dennis to spend time with his family before returning to training camp.
In July 2024, he discussed his experiences as a new father during an Arizona Cardinals press conference.
Although Codi has appeared in public reporting about her husband’s family, detailed verified information about her occupation, education, and personal background is limited.
As of now, Dennis Gardeck is married to Codi Gardeck, and the couple has one publicly confirmed child.
Dennis Gardeck’s Children: Meet His Son Cooper Anthony Gardeck
Dennis Gardeck and his wife Codi have one publicly confirmed child, a son named Cooper Anthony Gardeck.
Cooper was born in June 2024, approximately three months after his parents’ wedding.
Cooper Anthony Gardeck
Cooper Anthony Gardeck is the son of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck and his wife Codi.
His birth was publicly announced in June 2024, when Dennis was still playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Sports Illustrated reported the news on June 14, 2024, identifying the newborn by his full name.
Gardeck had missed part of the Cardinals’ mandatory minicamp around that time, and the announcement explained his absence.
The birth attracted congratulations from members of the Cardinals organization and football supporters.
According to a September 2025 Sports Illustrated feature, Codi expressed excitement about welcoming their first baby and celebrated the couple’s new responsibilities as parents.
For Dennis, becoming a father represented an important change in his life outside football.
During a July 9, 2024, media appearance with the Arizona Cardinals, he discussed his offseason experiences as a new father while also preparing for the upcoming NFL season.
His responsibilities now included balancing professional training with the demands of raising a young child.
Although Cooper has been publicly identified through official team records, his parents have generally maintained privacy around his everyday life.
As of now, Cooper is Dennis Gardeck’s only publicly confirmed child. There are no reliable public reports establishing that the couple has welcomed additional children.
Dennis Gardeck’s Parents: Meet Jim and Terri Gardeck
Dennis Gardeck’s parents are Jim Gardeck and Terri Gardeck. Their names are confirmed in his official University of Sioux Falls football biography and the college baseball biographies of his older brother Ian.
The couple raised four sons in Illinois: Ian, Andrew, Dennis, and Alex Gardeck.
According to a February 2020 family feature by sports journalist Susan Slusser, the Gardeck brothers pursued different educational and professional interests while maintaining close family relationships.
Dennis Gardeck’s Father: Jim Gardeck
Jim Gardeck is the father of NFL linebacker Dennis Gardeck and his three brothers.
His name appears in the University of Sioux Falls’ official football biography of Dennis and the University of Alabama’s baseball biography of Ian Gardeck.
Jim and his wife Terri raised their children in the Crystal Lake area of Illinois.
The family encouraged participation in different activities, including football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, and education.
Two of Jim’s sons eventually pursued professional sporting careers.
Ian developed into a professional baseball pitcher, while Dennis entered the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
Their achievements brought national attention to the family and their Illinois hometown.
Although Jim is publicly identified as the father of the four Gardeck brothers, detailed information about his professional occupation and personal background has not been widely documented in reliable sports publications.
Dennis Gardeck’s Mother: Terri Gardeck
Terri Gardeck is Dennis Gardeck’s mother and an important figure in his family background.
She raised four sons alongside her husband Jim, supporting their athletic and academic development.
Terri appeared in a February 2020 article published by the San Francisco Chronicle and reproduced by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
The feature primarily focused on her eldest son Ian, who was attempting to revive his professional baseball career after multiple injuries.
During the interview, Terri discussed the difficulties Ian experienced while recovering from consecutive Tommy John surgeries.
She described how physically and emotionally challenging the rehabilitation process had been for him.
Her comments reflected the family’s involvement in supporting the brothers through their different professional challenges.
Terri also recalled raising four active boys who spent considerable time together during childhood.
The experience required managing busy family routines while supporting their sporting and educational commitments.
She praised Ian for being a supportive older brother, particularly because of his willingness to help Dennis pursue professional football.
Although Terri has generally stayed outside national sports media attention, her involvement in the brothers’ development is documented through family interviews.
Dennis Gardeck’s Siblings: Meet Ian, Andrew and Alex Gardeck
Dennis Gardeck has three brothers: Ian Gardeck, Andrew Gardeck, and Alex Gardeck.
He is the third of four sons born to Jim and Terri Gardeck.
The complete sibling information is confirmed in official biographies published by the University of Sioux Falls, the University of Dayton, and the University of Alabama.
Ian Gardeck
Ian Gardeck is Dennis Gardeck’s eldest brother and a former professional baseball pitcher.
Born on November 21, 1990, Ian attended Crystal Lake South High School in Illinois, where he established himself as a talented baseball player.
He began his college baseball career at the University of Dayton before continuing at Angelina College in Texas and the University of Alabama.
His pitching ability attracted attention from Major League Baseball organizations.
The Chicago White Sox selected him in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft, but he continued his college career.
In 2012, the San Francisco Giants selected Ian in the 16th round of the MLB Draft.
He subsequently played professional minor league baseball within the Giants organization.
However, his career was disrupted by significant injuries, including repeated elbow ligament problems that required Tommy John surgery.
Ian later spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays organization before receiving another opportunity with the Oakland Athletics in 2019.
Although he faced repeated physical setbacks, his determination became a major source of inspiration for Dennis.
How Ian Gardeck Helped Dennis Reach the NFL
Ian Gardeck played a particularly important role in helping his younger brother pursue professional football.
According to a February 2020 San Francisco Chronicle interview, Ian was rehabilitating an injury at the Fischer Institute in Arizona when he learned about the organization’s NFL Combine training services.
He recommended Dennis to performance specialist Brett Fischer and offered to help pay for his training.
The opportunity allowed Dennis to prepare for the professional football evaluation process with experienced coaches and trainers.
Although Dennis was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, his preparation eventually helped him secure an opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals.
In the interview, Dennis credited Ian with encouraging him to pursue his ambitions and admired his brother’s determination despite repeated injuries.
Ian’s involvement demonstrates the supportive relationship between the Gardeck brothers and the importance of family connections in Dennis’s football journey.
Andrew Gardeck
Andrew Gardeck is another of Dennis Gardeck’s older brothers.
Unlike Dennis and Ian, who pursued careers in professional sports, Andrew entered the medical field.
According to the February 2020 San Francisco Chronicle family feature, Andrew was studying to become a neurosurgeon at the University of Minnesota.
At the time, he was approximately 27 years old.
His educational path reflected the family’s commitment to academic and professional achievement beyond athletics.
Although public biographical references have subsequently associated Andrew with surgical training, detailed verified information about his current medical position is limited.
He has generally remained outside sports media coverage.
Alex Gardeck
Alex Gardeck is Dennis Gardeck’s younger brother and the youngest of the four Gardeck siblings.
His name is confirmed in Dennis’s official University of Sioux Falls biography and Ian’s University of Alabama baseball profile.
According to the February 2020 San Francisco Chronicle article, Alex was studying mechanical engineering at Arizona State University.
He was approximately 21 years old at the time and was preparing to complete his undergraduate degree.
Alex’s interest in engineering represented another professional direction within the family.
While Ian pursued baseball, Dennis entered professional football, and Andrew studied medicine, Alex concentrated on engineering.
Detailed information about his subsequent professional career and private life has not been extensively documented in major publications.
Dennis Gardeck’s Early Life and Family Background
Dennis Gardeck was born on August 9, 1994, and grew up in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, near Crystal Lake.
He attended Crystal Lake South High School, where he participated in football and lacrosse.
As a football player, he earned All-Fox Valley Conference and All-Area recognition during his senior season.
He was also recognized for his performances as a lacrosse defenseman.
Growing up with three brothers exposed him to different sporting and academic interests.
His eldest brother Ian played baseball and hockey, while Dennis developed an interest in football.
After high school, Dennis attended West Virginia State University, where he played college football for three seasons.
His journey was challenging because he competed outside the NCAA Division I spotlight and needed to prove his abilities without the same recruiting attention enjoyed by players from major programs.
During college, he worked at McDonald’s and Panda Express to earn money and help support his training and everyday expenses.
These experiences contributed to his reputation for hard work and persistence.
Dennis Gardeck’s College Football and NFL Career
After spending three playing seasons at West Virginia State University, Dennis Gardeck transferred to the University of Sioux Falls for the 2017 season.
His decision proved important for his professional ambitions.
During his final college season, he recorded 75 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks.
His performances earned NCAA Division II All-American recognition and First-Team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honors.
He also received consideration for national awards recognizing the best players in smaller college football programs.
Despite his achievements, Gardeck went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft.
However, the Arizona Cardinals signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018.
He earned a roster position through his performances on special teams and gradually developed into a valuable defensive contributor.
During the 2020 season, he recorded seven sacks despite playing a relatively limited number of defensive snaps.
He later developed into a respected veteran within the Cardinals organization.
In October 2024, Gardeck suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season prematurely.
Following his recovery, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 4, 2025.
During the 2025 season, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games, recording 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and contributions on special teams, according to the Jaguars’ official biography.
On March 9, 2026, Jacksonville re-signed Gardeck, extending his time with the franchise.
His journey from NCAA Division II football to an extended NFL career demonstrates the persistence that has characterized his athletic development.
Dennis Gardeck’s Family Values and Community Work
Throughout his professional football career, Dennis Gardeck has developed a reputation for community involvement.
During his time with the Arizona Cardinals, he regularly participated in charitable activities organized by the team.
He was nominated twice for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, in 2019 and 2023, recognizing his support for military-related community initiatives.
He also participated in Special Olympics activities and other events benefiting young people.
In April 2022, Gardeck participated in the Guardian Games organized in connection with Special Olympics Arizona.
The event encouraged interaction, teamwork, and inclusion through sporting activities.
His dedication to community service reflects the importance he places on making a positive contribution beyond football.
Since becoming a husband and father, Gardeck has also balanced his professional responsibilities with family life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dennis Gardeck’s Family
Who is Dennis Gardeck’s wife?
Dennis Gardeck is married to Codi Gardeck. The couple married in March 2024, according to the Arizona Cardinals’ official media guide and Sports Illustrated.
Does Dennis Gardeck have a girlfriend?
Dennis Gardeck is married. His longtime partner, Codi, became his wife in March 2024.
How many children does Dennis Gardeck have?
Dennis Gardeck has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Cooper Anthony Gardeck.
When was Dennis Gardeck’s son born?
Cooper Anthony Gardeck was born in June 2024, approximately three months after his parents married.
Who are Dennis Gardeck’s parents?
Dennis Gardeck’s parents are Jim Gardeck and Terri Gardeck. Their names are confirmed in official university athletics biographies.
How many siblings does Dennis Gardeck have?
Dennis Gardeck has three brothers: Ian, Andrew, and Alex Gardeck. He is the third of four sons.
Who is Dennis Gardeck’s brother who played baseball?
His eldest brother is Ian Gardeck, a former professional minor league baseball pitcher who played in the San Francisco Giants organization and later received an opportunity with the Oakland Athletics.
What does Dennis Gardeck’s brother Andrew do?
Andrew Gardeck pursued a career in medicine. A 2020 family interview identified him as studying to become a neurosurgeon at the University of Minnesota.
Who is Dennis Gardeck’s youngest brother?
His youngest brother is Alex Gardeck, who studied mechanical engineering at Arizona State University, according to a February 2020 family profile.
Where is Dennis Gardeck’s family from?
Dennis Gardeck grew up in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, near Crystal Lake. He attended Crystal Lake South High School.
What college did Dennis Gardeck attend?
He played college football at West Virginia State University and the University of Sioux Falls, completing his final college season in 2017.
Which NFL team does Dennis Gardeck play for?
Dennis Gardeck plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He joined the franchise in June 2025 after spending seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
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.
