Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Elijah Hicks is an American professional football player who plays safety for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 16, 1999, in Long Beach, California, Hicks has established himself as a determined defensive player and special teams contributor. Beyond his NFL career, many fans are interested in Elijah Hicks’s family, including his wife, children, parents and siblings.
The Chicago Bears safety is married to Jordyn Hicks, a former college soccer player and daughter of NBA legend Sean Elliott. The couple has a son named Elliott Hicks. Elijah also comes from a large family: his parents, Tony Hicks and Shedra Rucker, raised him in a challenging financial environment alongside ten siblings. Those childhood experiences influenced his football career, commitment to helping others and approach to fatherhood.
Elijah Hicks’s Wife: Meet Jordyn Hicks
Elijah Hicks’s wife is Jordyn Hicks, formerly Jordyn Elliott, a former University of California soccer player. The couple became engaged in December 2023 and married in June 2024.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Lifestyle publication, Elijah proposed to Jordyn in December 2023 during a memorable occasion surrounded by family members.
The couple celebrated their wedding in June 2024, beginning a new chapter in their relationship. Their marriage was subsequently confirmed by the Chicago Bears’ official website.
Jordyn has an athletic background of her own. She played collegiate soccer for the California Golden Bears, representing the University of California, Berkeley.
During her college career, she played as a midfielder and forward and received academic recognition for her achievements.
According to her official California Golden Bears biography, Jordyn attended Pine Crest High School in Florida, where she played varsity soccer and received several athletic honors.
She later attended the University of California, where she studied business administration with a minor in African American studies.
Who Are Jordyn Hicks’s Parents?
Jordyn Hicks comes from a prominent sporting family. Her parents are Sean Elliott and Akiko Rose.
Her father, Sean Elliott, is a former professional basketball player who competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is best known for his successful career with the San Antonio Spurs.
Sean Elliott earned two NBA All-Star selections and helped the Spurs win the NBA championship in 1999.
His achievements have provided another source of inspiration for Elijah Hicks, who hopes to experience similar championship success in the NFL.
In March 2026, Elijah explained to the Chicago Bears’ official website that having an NBA champion as his father-in-law motivated him to pursue a Super Bowl championship.
He wants his son to grow up knowing that both his grandfather and father achieved success at the highest levels of professional sports.
As of now, Elijah and Jordyn Hicks remain publicly recognized as a married couple, raising their young son while supporting each other’s personal and professional ambitions.
Elijah Hicks’s Children: Meet His Son Elliott Hicks
Elijah Hicks has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Elliott Hicks. The boy was born in June 2025 to Elijah and his wife, Jordyn.
Elliott Hicks – Elijah Hicks’s Son
Elliott Hicks is the first publicly documented child of Chicago Bears safety Elijah Hicks and his wife, Jordyn Hicks.
His birth in June 2025 marked an important milestone for the couple, who had married the previous year.
Becoming a father added new responsibilities to Elijah’s life and strengthened his determination to succeed as a professional athlete.
In March 2026, the Chicago Bears published a feature about Hicks returning to the organization after signing a new contract.
He visited Halas Hall with his wife and their nine-month-old son, Elliott, to celebrate the agreement.
During the visit, Hicks posed for photographs with his family and spent time playing with his son.
Reflecting on fatherhood, the defensive back explained that having a child had increased his sense of urgency and his desire to achieve meaningful success.
He wants Elliott to grow up with positive role models and understand the importance of dedication, hard work and perseverance.
Elijah also expressed his ambition to win a Super Bowl so his son could celebrate the professional achievements of both his father and grandfather, former NBA champion Sean Elliott.
As of now, Elliott Hicks is Elijah’s only publicly confirmed child. There are no reliable announcements establishing that he has additional sons or daughters.
Elijah Hicks’s Parents: Meet Tony Hicks and Shedra Rucker
Elijah Hicks’s parents are Tony Hicks and Shedra Rucker. Both played significant roles in his childhood and athletic development despite the financial challenges their family experienced.
Growing up in Long Beach, California, Elijah spent parts of his childhood living with his mother and siblings while maintaining a close relationship with his father.
His parents taught him the importance of responsibility, generosity and helping people who face difficult circumstances.
Elijah Hicks’s Father: Tony Hicks
Tony Hicks is Elijah Hicks’s father and one of the most important influences on his early football career.
According to a 2020 feature published by the University of California, Tony was actively involved in raising his children and spent considerable time coaching Elijah in youth football.
Although Tony experienced financial difficulties, he prioritized being present in his children’s lives.
In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Tony recalled coaching Elijah when he was approximately nine years old.
During one football season, he purchased inexpensive cleats for his son so that he could also afford equipment for several teammates whose families needed assistance.
The experience taught Elijah that supporting other people could be more important than owning expensive personal belongings.
Tony also worked in the furniture business to support his family.
When the family experienced housing difficulties, Tony and several of his children temporarily stayed above a furniture store where he worked.
Despite those circumstances, he remained committed to helping Elijah pursue his football ambitions.
His influence extended beyond athletics. Tony encouraged his son to develop empathy, generosity and a sense of responsibility toward the wider community.
These lessons later inspired Elijah to establish a nonprofit organization supporting students and families experiencing financial hardship.
Elijah Hicks’s Mother: Shedra Rucker
Shedra Rucker is Elijah Hicks’s mother. She played an essential role in raising him and several of his siblings during his childhood in Long Beach.
In interviews about his upbringing, Elijah described experiencing financial hardship while living with his mother.
There were periods when the family struggled to afford sufficient food and other everyday necessities.
Despite those challenges, Shedra worked to provide for her children and taught them the importance of humility, discipline and perseverance.
Elijah has recalled seeing classmates bring more expensive meals to school while his own family had limited resources.
However, his mother encouraged him to remain respectful and avoid comparing himself with others.
Shedra also participated in volunteer activities, including helping at her children’s elementary school.
Her willingness to assist other families, despite experiencing financial difficulties herself, made a lasting impression on Elijah.
He later credited both parents with inspiring his commitment to community service.
Although Shedra maintains a relatively private lifestyle, her contribution to Elijah’s childhood has been documented in interviews published by California Golden Bears Athletics and Sports Illustrated.
Elijah Hicks’s Siblings: Meet His Ten Brothers and Sisters
Elijah Hicks has ten siblings, including four brothers and six sisters. He comes from a family of eleven children in total.
According to a 2020 Sports Illustrated feature about his philanthropic activities, the Hicks family includes five boys and six girls, including Elijah himself.
Growing up with such a large number of siblings shaped his understanding of responsibility and the importance of family support.
Elijah Hicks’s Brothers
Elijah Hicks has four brothers. Although their individual names and personal backgrounds have not been consistently documented by authoritative public sources, his brothers have been an important part of his family story.
During his childhood, the family experienced housing instability and financial difficulties, making everyday life challenging for several of the children.
Elijah’s father remained involved in supporting and raising the family, encouraging the children to value education, hard work and compassion.
The family’s experiences also influenced Elijah’s decision to support disadvantaged young people through charitable initiatives.
Elijah Hicks’s Sisters
Elijah Hicks also has six sisters, completing his family of eleven children.
Like his brothers, his sisters largely remain outside the public spotlight, and their individual names and occupations have not been reliably established in major sports publications.
However, their experiences growing up in a financially challenged household helped motivate Elijah to create opportunities for young people facing similar circumstances.
In 2020, Hicks explained that several of his younger siblings relied on free or reduced-price school meals.
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools to close, he recognized that many families, including his own, faced additional challenges accessing food.
That situation motivated him to organize a fundraising campaign to support children from low-income households.
As of now, Elijah continues to acknowledge the importance of his siblings in shaping his commitment to helping others.
How Elijah Hicks’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Elijah Hicks’s journey from Long Beach to the NFL was shaped by determination, family support and opportunities provided by people who believed in his potential.
During his early teenage years, he attended St. John Bosco High School, a prominent football program in Southern California.
However, financial difficulties made it increasingly challenging for his family to afford tuition and transportation.
Following housing instability, Hicks temporarily stayed with friends and other families who helped him continue his education.
He eventually transferred to La Mirada High School, where he established himself as a talented defensive player.
Despite the challenges he experienced, Hicks maintained strong academic performance and earned a football scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley.
At California, he developed into an accomplished defensive back while becoming actively involved in community service.
In 2019, Hicks established the Intercept Poverty Foundation, an initiative designed to support disadvantaged students and families.
Through his foundation and partnerships with charitable organizations, he helped raise funds to provide food and financial assistance to people in need.
His charitable contributions earned national attention and recognition, including selection to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
On the football field, Hicks became an All-Pac-12 defensive back and helped lead California’s secondary.
His performances eventually attracted attention from NFL scouts.
In April 2022, the Chicago Bears selected Elijah Hicks in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, with the 254th overall pick.
His selection represented a major achievement for a player who had experienced poverty and housing instability during childhood.
After joining the Bears, Hicks continued developing as a defensive player and special teams contributor.
In March 2026, he signed a new agreement to remain in Chicago, celebrating the occasion alongside his wife and son.
His story demonstrates how family support, determination and community generosity helped shape his journey to professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah Hicks’s Family
Who is Elijah Hicks’s girlfriend?
Elijah Hicks is married to Jordyn Hicks, formerly Jordyn Elliott. The couple became engaged in December 2023 and married in June 2024.
Who is Elijah Hicks’s wife?
Elijah Hicks’s wife is Jordyn Hicks, a former University of California soccer player and daughter of former NBA champion Sean Elliott.
When did Elijah Hicks get married?
Elijah Hicks married Jordyn Elliott in June 2024, following their engagement in December 2023.
Does Elijah Hicks have children?
Yes. Elijah Hicks has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Elliott Hicks, born in June 2025.
Who is Elijah Hicks’s son?
Elijah Hicks’s son is Elliott Hicks, whom he shares with his wife, Jordyn.
Who are Elijah Hicks’s parents?
Elijah Hicks’s parents are Tony Hicks and Shedra Rucker. Both supported his development and encouraged his commitment to helping others.
How many siblings does Elijah Hicks have?
Elijah Hicks has ten siblings: four brothers and six sisters. He grew up in a family of eleven children.
Who is Elijah Hicks’s father-in-law?
Elijah Hicks’s father-in-law is Sean Elliott, a former NBA All-Star and 1999 NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs.
Where is Elijah Hicks from?
Elijah Hicks is from Long Beach, California, United States. He attended St. John Bosco and La Mirada high schools before playing college football at the University of California, Berkeley.
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.
