Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Eli Raridon is an American professional football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his impressive size, athleticism, and determination, Raridon comes from a family with deep connections to college and professional football.
Born on February 12, 2004, in Mason City, Iowa, Raridon grew up in a sports-loving household. His parents are Scott Raridon Jr. and Jena Raridon, while his three younger siblings are Cynthia, Ariel, and Shepard Raridon.
In his personal life, Eli is married to Anna Bernhard, now known as Anna Raridon. The couple married in May 2025 after dating for approximately five years.
They welcomed their first child, Peter James Raridon, in September 2026. Tragically, their son passed away shortly after birth because of a fatal congenital condition.
Here is everything you need to know about Eli Raridon’s wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Eli Raridon’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
Eli Raridon is no longer dating because he is married to his longtime girlfriend, Anna Bernhard Raridon.
The couple began their relationship around 2020 while growing up in the Des Moines, Iowa, area.
They maintained their relationship throughout high school and college, despite attending different universities.
While Eli played football at the University of Notre Dame, Anna attended the University of Iowa.
The couple’s relationship attracted media attention during Eli’s college football career, particularly after they announced their engagement in August 2024.
They eventually married in May 2025, before Eli’s final college football season.
Who Is Eli Raridon’s Wife, Anna Bernhard?
Anna Bernhard, now known as Anna Raridon, is originally from the Des Moines, Iowa, area.
She attended the University of Iowa, where she completed her college education in May 2025.
Before college, Anna was a talented high school basketball player who competed against several successful athletes.
One of her most notable opponents was Caitlin Clark, who later became a WNBA star.
During a November 2024 interview with the South Bend Tribune, Eli explained that Anna had played against Clark multiple times during their high school basketball careers.
He also revealed that Anna kept a video showing herself blocking one of Clark’s shots.
The couple occasionally watched the video together, and Eli joked about Anna’s memorable accomplishment.
Anna’s experience as a competitive athlete gave her an understanding of the dedication required to succeed in sports.
Although she has become publicly recognized through her relationship with the Patriots tight end, she has maintained a relatively private lifestyle outside social media.
How Did Eli Raridon and Anna Bernhard Meet?
Eli Raridon and Anna Bernhard developed their relationship during their teenage years in Iowa.
They became high school sweethearts and began dating around 2020.
Their relationship continued after they graduated from high school and enrolled at different universities.
Eli attended Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, while Anna studied at the University of Iowa.
Despite the distance, the couple remained committed to their relationship.
In November 2024, Eli explained that they had been dating for approximately five years and that he believed they were ready for marriage.
His parents’ relationship also influenced his decision to marry at a young age.
Eli’s father, Scott Raridon Jr., married his own high school sweetheart, Jena, while he was a young college football player.
Growing up with young parents helped shape Eli’s expectations about marriage and family life.
When Did Eli Raridon Get Engaged?
Eli Raridon proposed to Anna Bernhard in August 2024.
The engagement occurred shortly before the beginning of Notre Dame’s 2024 football season.
After announcing their engagement, the couple began preparing for their wedding.
Anna took a leading role in planning the celebration because she had previously completed an internship with a wedding company.
During a November 2024 interview, Eli praised Anna’s organizational abilities and explained that she understood the different responsibilities involved in wedding planning.
The couple continued making preparations while balancing their academic responsibilities and Eli’s college football schedule.
When Did Eli Raridon Get Married?
Eli Raridon and Anna Bernhard married on May 25, 2025.
Their wedding took place shortly after Anna graduated from the University of Iowa.
The couple celebrated alongside relatives and close friends who had supported their relationship.
Anna subsequently shared photographs from their wedding on Instagram, expressing appreciation for the people who attended.
The marriage occurred before Eli entered his final season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
In November 2025, Notre Dame teammate Jeremiyah Love publicly praised Eli’s approach to marriage and described him as a positive example away from football.
As of now, Eli and Anna remain married.
Does Eli Raridon Have Children?
Yes. Eli Raridon and his wife, Anna, welcomed a son named Peter James Raridon on September 11, 2026.
Sadly, Peter died shortly after his birth because of a fatal condition called anencephaly.
The couple publicly announced their son’s passing on September 29, 2026.
Peter was their first child, and no additional children have been publicly confirmed.
Who Was Peter James Raridon?
Peter James Raridon was the first child of Eli and Anna Raridon.
The couple announced their pregnancy on March 31, 2026, approximately one month before Eli was selected in the NFL Draft.
They shared their excitement about becoming parents and anticipated welcoming their baby during the fall.
However, during Anna’s 20-week anatomy scan, doctors diagnosed their unborn son with anencephaly.
Anencephaly is a severe congenital condition in which major parts of a baby’s brain and skull do not develop normally. The condition is almost always fatal.
Despite knowing that their son’s life would likely be brief, Eli and Anna continued expressing their love for him throughout the pregnancy.
Peter was born on September 11, 2026, but passed away shortly afterward.
How Did Eli and Anna Raridon Honor Their Son?
On September 29, 2026, Anna shared an emotional Instagram announcement explaining their son’s diagnosis, birth, and passing.
She reflected on the love she and Eli felt for Peter and how meaningful his life had been to their family.
The couple also discussed the importance of their Christian faith during their grief.
Anna expressed gratitude for the time she had carried Peter and the opportunity to love him throughout her pregnancy.
The announcement received supportive responses from football fans, friends, and members of the wider sports community.
In October 2026, Anna continued supporting Eli’s football career and appeared alongside him at Gillette Stadium before a Patriots game.
Although Peter’s life was brief, his parents have made clear that he will always remain part of their family.
Who Are Eli Raridon’s Parents?
Eli Raridon’s parents are Scott Raridon Jr. and Jena Raridon.
Both have strong connections to the University of Notre Dame, where Scott played college football and where the couple began raising their family.
They married while they were young and welcomed Eli during Scott’s playing career.
After spending time in South Bend, Indiana, the family eventually returned to Iowa, where Eli grew up alongside his three younger siblings.
Eli Raridon’s Father: Scott Raridon Jr.
Scott Raridon Jr. is Eli Raridon’s father and a former college football offensive lineman.
He played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the early 2000s, contributing as an offensive lineman and long snapper.
During his college career, Scott played under head coaches Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis.
He was also part of Notre Dame’s football program during quarterback Brady Quinn’s college career.
Scott came from an athletic family, as his own father, Scott Raridon Sr., had previously played college football at the University of Nebraska.
That family history created a strong connection to football long before Eli began playing the sport.
How Scott Raridon Jr. Influenced His Son’s Football Career
Scott Raridon Jr. played an important role in developing Eli’s interest in football.
From an early age, Eli grew up watching Notre Dame football and learning about the university’s athletic traditions.
His father regularly discussed football with him and encouraged his interest in the Fighting Irish.
According to an April 2026 profile, Scott recalled that Eli demonstrated an unusual interest in sports statistics when he was approximately five years old.
Even at that age, Eli could remember game scores and player statistics.
As he grew older, he became determined to follow his father’s footsteps by playing football at Notre Dame.
In 2021, Eli explained that earning a Notre Dame scholarship had been one of his childhood ambitions.
His father was particularly proud when Eli received an opportunity to play for the university.
Scott later expressed excitement that his son had fulfilled a dream they had discussed for years.
Eli Raridon’s Mother: Jena Raridon
Jena Raridon is Eli Raridon’s mother and the wife of former Notre Dame football player Scott Raridon Jr.
She married Scott while he was attending Notre Dame.
According to contemporary reporting, the couple had been high school sweethearts before getting married.
Jena attended Indiana University South Bend during her husband’s college football career.
She became a mother while Scott was still playing football for the Fighting Irish.
After Eli’s birth in Iowa, the family spent part of his infancy in South Bend.
Jena later moved back to Iowa with Scott, where they raised Eli and their three younger children.
Although Jena has maintained a relatively private life, she has been part of the family environment that supported Eli’s academic and athletic development.
How Jena Raridon Influenced Eli’s Upbringing
Jena’s experiences as a young mother helped shape the family environment in which Eli grew up.
She balanced family responsibilities with her education while Scott continued his college football career.
The family remained closely connected to Notre Dame even after returning to Iowa.
As Eli developed into a talented athlete, Jena and Scott continued supporting his participation in football and basketball.
She also helped raise his three younger siblings, creating a household of four children.
Although detailed information about her current occupation is not widely available, Jena remains an important part of Eli’s family background.
Eli Raridon’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Eli Raridon has three younger siblings: Cynthia Raridon, Ariel Raridon, and Shepard Raridon.
Their names are confirmed in his official University of Notre Dame football biography.
Eli is the oldest of four children born to Scott and Jena Raridon.
Unlike Eli, whose professional football career has attracted national media attention, his siblings have generally maintained private lives.
1. Cynthia Raridon
Cynthia Raridon is one of Eli Raridon’s younger siblings.
She grew up in Iowa alongside Eli and the other children in the Raridon household.
Her name appears in Eli’s official college football biography.
However, reliable public information about Cynthia’s education, occupation, athletic achievements, and personal relationships is limited.
She has generally remained outside the national sports spotlight.
2. Ariel Raridon
Ariel Raridon is another of Eli Raridon’s younger siblings.
Ariel is identified alongside Cynthia and Shepard in Notre Dame’s official player information.
Although the family has a significant football background, Ariel’s individual athletic interests and professional activities have not been extensively documented.
Consequently, information about Ariel’s personal life remains limited.
3. Shepard Raridon
Shepard Raridon is Eli Raridon’s third younger sibling.
Like Cynthia and Ariel, Shepard grew up in the family’s Iowa household.
Shepard’s name appears in Eli’s official Notre Dame football biography.
However, details about Shepard’s education, athletic career, and professional activities have not been widely published.
Does Eli Raridon Have Any Other Siblings?
According to official university records, Eli Raridon has three younger siblings: Cynthia, Ariel, and Shepard.
There are no publicly confirmed reports identifying additional brothers or sisters.
Eli Raridon’s Grandfather: Scott Raridon Sr.
One of the most influential figures in Eli Raridon’s extended athletic family is his grandfather, Scott Raridon Sr.
Scott Sr. was an accomplished college football offensive lineman at the University of Nebraska.
He played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1981 through 1983, earning recognition as an outstanding offensive tackle.
His performances helped Nebraska compete for conference championships during the early 1980s.
In 1984, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Scott Sr. in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Although his professional playing career was relatively brief, he remained involved in football through coaching and athletic development.
Scott Raridon Sr.’s Connection to Notre Dame
After his playing career, Scott Raridon Sr. joined Notre Dame’s football program as a strength and conditioning coach.
He worked under legendary head coach Lou Holtz during the late 1980s.
Most notably, Scott Sr. was part of Notre Dame’s football staff when the Fighting Irish won the 1988 national championship.
His connection to Notre Dame helped establish the family tradition that continued through his son Scott Jr. and grandson Eli.
Scott Sr. was also inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
His accomplishments make him an important figure in the Raridon family’s athletic history.
Eli Raridon’s Uncle: John Raridon
Eli Raridon’s extended family also includes John Raridon, another former college football offensive lineman.
John is the son of Scott Raridon Sr. and the younger brother of Eli’s father.
Like Eli, John attended Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
He developed into one of the state’s highly regarded high school offensive line prospects.
During his senior season, John helped Valley reach the Iowa Class 4A state semifinals.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from several major football programs.
He eventually committed to the University of Nebraska, continuing his father’s connection to the Cornhuskers.
John joined Nebraska’s football program in 2016.
His college career added another chapter to the family’s multigenerational involvement in football.
Eli Raridon’s Childhood and Family Background
Eli Raridon was born in Mason City, Iowa, while his father was playing college football at Notre Dame.
As an infant, he spent time living in South Bend, Indiana, with his parents.
After his father’s college career, the family returned to Iowa and settled in the Des Moines area.
Growing up, Eli developed interests in both football and basketball.
He attended Valley High School in West Des Moines, where he became a talented multi-sport athlete.
During his high school football career, Raridon established himself as one of Iowa’s leading tight end prospects.
As a senior, he recorded 53 receptions for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He also earned second-team all-state recognition as a basketball player following his junior season.
His athletic abilities attracted scholarship offers from several prominent college football programs.
How Eli Raridon’s Family Influenced His College Decision
For Eli Raridon, attending Notre Dame was more than an opportunity to play college football.
It represented the continuation of a family tradition that began with his grandfather’s coaching career.
His father had also played for the Fighting Irish, making the university familiar to Eli throughout childhood.
Although he received offers from schools including Iowa, Iowa State, Tennessee, and other programs, he ultimately chose Notre Dame.
He announced his commitment in May 2021.
His decision was especially meaningful for Scott Raridon Jr., who had watched his son develop into a talented athlete while supporting the same university.
Eli enrolled at Notre Dame in 2022 and began pursuing his childhood football dream.
Eli Raridon’s College Football Career at Notre Dame
Eli Raridon played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2022 through 2025.
His college career included significant challenges, particularly serious knee injuries.
He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during his final year of high school and experienced another ACL injury during his freshman season at Notre Dame.
These setbacks interrupted his development and required lengthy rehabilitation.
However, Raridon remained determined to continue playing football.
He eventually returned to competition and became a valuable contributor to Notre Dame’s offense.
During the 2025 season, he started all 12 games and recorded 32 receptions for 482 yards.
He completed his college career with:
- 40 games played.
- 18 starts.
- 48 receptions.
- 623 receiving yards.
- Three receiving touchdowns.
His college career demonstrated the resilience and dedication that had been encouraged throughout his upbringing.
Eli Raridon’s Journey to the New England Patriots
After completing his college football career, Eli Raridon entered the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots selected him in the third round with the 95th overall pick.
His selection represented another major accomplishment for the Raridon family.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Eli had reached the professional football level.
He signed with New England and began preparing for his rookie season.
On September 9, 2026, Raridon made his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks.
His first professional reception resulted in a touchdown, making his debut especially memorable.
As his rookie season continued, Raridon balanced the challenges of professional football with important events in his personal life.
His wife, Anna, remained supportive, attending Patriots games and celebrating his accomplishments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eli Raridon’s Family
Who is Eli Raridon’s girlfriend?
Eli Raridon is married to his longtime girlfriend, Anna Bernhard, now known as Anna Raridon. The couple began dating around 2020 and married in May 2025.
Who is Eli Raridon’s wife?
His wife is Anna Raridon, a University of Iowa graduate and former high school basketball player.
When did Eli Raridon get married?
Eli Raridon married Anna Bernhard on May 25, 2025.
Did Eli Raridon have a child?
Yes. Eli and Anna welcomed their first son, Peter James Raridon, on September 11, 2026. Sadly, Peter passed away shortly after birth because of a fatal congenital condition.
Who are Eli Raridon’s parents?
His parents are Scott Raridon Jr., a former Notre Dame football player, and Jena Raridon.
Who is Eli Raridon’s father?
His father is Scott Raridon Jr., who played offensive line and served as a long snapper for Notre Dame during the early 2000s.
Who is Eli Raridon’s mother?
His mother is Jena Raridon, who married Scott during his college football career and helped raise their four children.
How many siblings does Eli Raridon have?
Eli Raridon has three younger siblings named Cynthia, Ariel, and Shepard Raridon.
Who is Eli Raridon’s grandfather?
His grandfather is Scott Raridon Sr., a former Nebraska offensive lineman, 1984 Philadelphia Eagles draft pick, and former Notre Dame strength and conditioning coach.
Is Eli Raridon related to John Raridon?
Yes. John Raridon, a former Nebraska football player, is Eli Raridon’s uncle.
Where is Eli Raridon from?
Eli Raridon was born in Mason City, Iowa, on February 12, 2004, and grew up in the Des Moines area.
Which NFL team does Eli Raridon play for?
Eli Raridon plays tight end for the New England Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
