Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Nick Cross’s family has played an important role in his journey from a young athlete in Maryland to becoming a professional NFL safety. The Washington Commanders defensive back comes from a Caribbean-American family, with a Jamaican father and a mother originally from Trinidad and Tobago.
Cross’s parents are Michael Cross and Anna Awah-Cross, while his two younger siblings are Nijel and Ni-Ann Cross. Both siblings have also pursued careers in college athletics. Although his family background is well documented, the NFL player has kept details about his romantic relationships and potential children relatively private.
Here is everything known about Nick Cross’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and personal life.
Who Is Nick Cross’s Girlfriend or Wife?
Nick Cross has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or wife through reliable, widely available sources.
Unlike some NFL players who regularly share information about their romantic relationships, Cross has maintained a relatively private personal life.
His official biographies published by the University of Maryland, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders primarily discuss his football career, educational background and family upbringing.
These sources do not identify a wife, fiancée or current girlfriend.
Similarly, available interviews have focused on his development as an athlete, his parents’ influence and his ambition to succeed in professional football.
As of now, there is no sufficiently reliable public information confirming whether Nick Cross is married, engaged or currently dating someone.
It is important to distinguish the absence of public information from a confirmed relationship status. Cross may have a partner without choosing to disclose that relationship publicly.
Does Nick Cross Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Nick Cross has children.
The Washington Commanders safety has not publicly identified a son or daughter in his official football biographies or major interviews.
Although Cross has shared stories about his childhood and his close relationship with his parents, he has not disclosed reliable details about becoming a father.
As of now, the existence, names and number of any potential children remain unconfirmed.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to state definitively that he either has children or is childless.
Nick Cross’s Parents
Nick Cross’s parents are Michael Cross and Anna Awah-Cross. Their identities are confirmed by the University of Maryland and a detailed 2018 family profile published by Hyattsville Life & Times.
His father immigrated to the United States from Jamaica, while his mother moved from Trinidad and Tobago.
Both parents established professional careers in the United States and raised their three children in Bowie, Maryland.
Their emphasis on education and personal development helped shape Nick’s early life.
Who Is Nick Cross’s Father? Michael Cross
Michael Cross is Nick Cross’s father. Originally from Jamaica, Michael immigrated to the United States and established a career as a computer software engineer.
He played a particularly important role in determining when his eldest son could begin playing organized American football.
During Nick’s childhood, Michael was concerned about the physical risks associated with the sport, particularly head injuries and concussions.
As a result, he initially refused to allow Nick to participate in organized football, even though the youngster repeatedly expressed an interest in playing.
Nick continued asking his father for permission and even developed an unusual strategy to remind him about his ambition.
According to a 2018 Hyattsville Life & Times interview, Nick would leave the website of a local football team open on his father’s computer, hoping Michael would notice it.
Eventually, Michael agreed that his son could begin playing football when he entered high school.
Nick subsequently joined the football program at DeMatha Catholic High School, where his talent quickly became evident.
His father’s original hesitation and eventual support became an important part of Nick’s journey toward college football and the NFL.
Who Is Nick Cross’s Mother? Anna Awah-Cross
Anna Awah-Cross is Nick Cross’s mother. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago before immigrating to the United States.
According to the 2018 Hyattsville Life & Times profile, Anna worked as a pharmacist at the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital.
She raised Nick alongside his younger brother, Nijel, and younger sister, Ni-Ann, in Maryland.
An interesting detail about their relationship is that Anna prefers to call her eldest son by his full first name, Nicolas, rather than the shortened version, Nick, used throughout his professional football career.
Anna’s Caribbean background has also contributed to the cultural identity of the Cross family.
Her educational and professional background reflects the family’s emphasis on academic development alongside sports.
Although Anna’s occupation and identity have been publicly documented, she generally maintains a life outside the national media spotlight.
Nick Cross’s Siblings
Nick Cross has two younger siblings: a brother named Nijel Cross and a sister named Ni-Ann Cross.
Their identities are confirmed by the University of Maryland Athletics Department, which has published official biographies for all three siblings.
Growing up in Bowie, Maryland, the Cross children participated in athletics and developed an interest in competitive sports.
Both Nijel and Ni-Ann eventually followed their older brother into college athletics.
Nijel Cross – Nick Cross’s Younger Brother
Nijel Cross is the younger brother of NFL safety Nick Cross. Like his older brother, Nijel developed an interest in American football.
He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, the same school where Nick began his organized football career.
Nijel played as a defensive back, following a similar athletic path to his brother.
In 2025, he joined the University of Maryland football team as a walk-on defensive back.
He made his college football debut against Indiana on November 1, 2025.
Maryland’s official athletics department also recognized Nijel’s commitment and performance by selecting him for the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year and Dr. John E. Faber Iron Man Award at the program’s 2025 awards banquet.
For the 2026 college football season, Nijel appeared on the Howard University football roster as a sophomore defensive back.
His continued involvement in college football reflects the family’s strong sporting background.
Ni-Ann Cross – Nick Cross’s Younger Sister
Ni-Ann Cross is Nick Cross’s younger sister and a collegiate track-and-field athlete.
She attended St. John’s College High School before joining the University of Maryland, where she competed as a sprinter.
According to her official Maryland Athletics biography, Ni-Ann studied criminal justice and psychology.
During her freshman collegiate season in 2023–24, she competed in several indoor and outdoor track-and-field events.
Her performances included a personal-best time of 12.83 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2024 Maryland Invitational.
She also participated in Maryland’s 4×100-meter relay team, helping the squad finish second at the 2024 Kehoe Twilight Meet.
Ni-Ann’s official athlete biography identifies her parents as Michael Cross and Anna Awah-Cross and names her brothers as Nicolas and Nijel.
Her achievements demonstrate that athletic talent extends beyond Nick and his younger brother in the Cross family.
Nick Cross’s Jamaican and Trinidadian Family Background
One of the most distinctive aspects of Nick Cross’s family background is his Caribbean heritage.
His father, Michael Cross, is originally from Jamaica, while his mother, Anna Awah-Cross, comes from Trinidad and Tobago.
Both parents immigrated to the United States before establishing their family in Maryland.
As a result, Nick and his siblings grew up in an American household connected to two Caribbean countries.
His family background is documented by the University of Maryland, which highlighted his parents’ countries of origin when announcing his commitment to its football program in February 2019.
Although Cross is American by birth, his Jamaican and Trinidadian ancestry remains an important part of his family history.
How Did Nick Cross’s Family Influence His Football Career?
Nick Cross’s development as a football player was closely connected to the guidance he received from his parents.
Unlike many future NFL players who begin organized football at an early age, Cross did not join a competitive football program until high school.
Before that, he participated in several other sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball and track and field.
His father wanted him to focus on education and avoid unnecessary physical risks.
Once his parents allowed him to play football, Cross quickly demonstrated considerable athletic potential.
He joined DeMatha Catholic High School’s football program in 2015 and gradually developed into one of the area’s most highly regarded defensive backs.
By his senior season, he was receiving national recognition and had attracted scholarship offers from major college football programs.
He initially committed to Florida State University before choosing the University of Maryland.
At Maryland, Cross earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition in all three of his seasons from 2019 to 2021.
His performances ultimately led to his selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
His journey illustrates the influence of his parents’ guidance, particularly their early emphasis on patience, academic achievement and personal responsibility.
Nick Cross’s NFL Career
Nick Cross was born on September 10, 2001, and grew up in Bowie, Maryland.
After attending DeMatha Catholic High School, he played college football for the Maryland Terrapins.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Cross in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 96th overall pick.
He began his professional career as one of the NFL’s youngest players.
After spending his first two seasons developing within the Colts’ defensive system, Cross became a full-time starter in 2024.
That season, he recorded a career-high 145 tackles and three interceptions, establishing himself as a productive defensive player.
He continued playing for Indianapolis in 2025 before entering free agency.
On March 13, 2026, the Washington Commanders announced that they had signed Cross, bringing him back to the region where he grew up.
His return to Maryland’s neighboring NFL market held particular personal significance because he had supported Washington’s football franchise since childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nick Cross’s Family
Who is Nick Cross’s girlfriend?
As of now, Nick Cross has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Nick Cross married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Nick Cross is married. He has not publicly identified a wife or fiancée.
Does Nick Cross have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Nick Cross has a son or daughter.
Who is Nick Cross’s father?
Nick Cross’s father is Michael Cross, a computer software engineer originally from Jamaica.
Who is Nick Cross’s mother?
His mother is Anna Awah-Cross, a pharmacist originally from Trinidad and Tobago.
How many siblings does Nick Cross have?
Nick Cross has two younger siblings: Nijel Cross and Ni-Ann Cross.
Who is Nick Cross’s brother?
His younger brother is Nijel Cross, a college football defensive back who played at Maryland in 2025 before joining Howard University’s football roster in 2026.
Who is Nick Cross’s sister?
His younger sister is Ni-Ann Cross, a University of Maryland track-and-field athlete who competes in sprinting events.
What is Nick Cross’s ethnicity and nationality?
Nick Cross is American and has Caribbean ancestry. His father comes from Jamaica, and his mother is from Trinidad and Tobago.
Where is Nick Cross from?
Nick Cross grew up in Bowie, Maryland, and attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville before playing college football at Maryland.
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.
