Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Travis Etienne Jr. is an American professional football running back for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his explosive speed, receiving ability, and impressive football career, Etienne has become one of the most recognizable running backs in professional football.
Beyond his NFL achievements, many fans are interested in learning about Travis Etienne Jr.’s family, girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Born on January 26, 1999, in Jennings, Louisiana, Travis Etienne Jr. grew up in a close-knit family with strong connections to athletics. His parents, Travis Etienne Sr. and Donnetta Etienne, raised four children and encouraged them to participate in sports from an early age.
His younger brother, Trevor Etienne, also became an NFL running back, while his sisters, Shanea Lyons and Danielle Lyons, participated in competitive athletics during their school years.
Although Etienne has spoken openly about the importance of his parents and siblings, he has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Here is everything publicly known about Travis Etienne Jr.’s family background, girlfriend, wife, children, father, mother, brother, and sisters.
Who Is Travis Etienne Jr.?
Travis Etienne Jr. is a professional American football running back who plays for the New Orleans Saints.
He attended Jennings High School in Louisiana, where he developed into one of the state’s most talented football prospects.
During his high school career, Etienne accumulated 8,864 total yards and 115 touchdowns, attracting attention from major college football programs.
He eventually committed to Clemson University, representing the Clemson Tigers from 2017 to 2020.
At Clemson, Etienne established himself as one of the most productive running backs in Atlantic Coast Conference history. He helped the Tigers win the College Football Playoff National Championship following the 2018 season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 25th overall pick.
Although a foot injury prevented him from playing during his rookie season, Etienne returned in 2022 and became an important part of Jacksonville’s offense.
After five seasons with the Jaguars organization, he signed a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on March 11, 2026.
His move to New Orleans represented a homecoming for the Louisiana native, allowing him to play professional football closer to where he grew up.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s girlfriend is named Esmeralda. Unlike many partners of NFL players, she has chosen to lead a very private, low-key life, staying well away from the media spotlight. The couple prefers to share only small, intimate family moments and glimpses of their mutual support on game days via social media.
Their relationship grew even stronger with the arrival of their first child, a boy named Saint, born in the spring of 2025. Coincidentally, the baby’s name aligns with his father’s professional path, as the running back signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in March 2026. Esmeralda remains a vital pillar of support for him as he navigates this new chapter of his career in New Orleans.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
NFL player Travis Etienne Jr. has one child, a boy named Saint.
The baby was born in the spring of 2025, the result of the running back’s long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Esmeralda. Interestingly, the name they chose ended up taking on a prophetic meaning for the family. The athlete grew up in Louisiana as a fervent fan of the New Orleans Saints, and in March 2026, he fulfilled a childhood dream by officially signing a contract to play for that very team.
Is Travis Etienne Jr. a Father?
There is insufficient publicly verified information to establish that Travis Etienne Jr. is a father.
Although he belongs to a large extended family and is an uncle, those family relationships should not be confused with having children of his own.
Until Etienne publicly confirms fatherhood or reliable reporting establishes that he has children, his parental status remains unconfirmed.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s parents are Travis Etienne Sr. and Donnetta Etienne.
They raised their four children in Jennings, Louisiana, emphasizing education, discipline, family loyalty, and competitive athletics.
Both parents worked to provide for their family while ensuring their children had opportunities to participate in organized sports.
Their support played an important role in Travis’s journey from a small Louisiana community to professional football.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Father: Travis Etienne Sr.
Travis Etienne Sr. is the father of Travis Etienne Jr. and his younger brother, Trevor Etienne.
According to reporting by PEOPLE and other established sports publications, Travis Sr. worked in the oil industry for a well-service company.
Although details about his education and broader professional background are limited, his involvement in his children’s athletic development has been well documented.
Alongside his wife, Donnetta, he encouraged their children to participate in multiple sports and maintain disciplined routines.
Travis Sr. frequently attended his sons’ football games, providing encouragement throughout their high school, college, and professional careers.
He also participated in family gatherings and celebrations surrounding their football achievements.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Special Relationship With His Father
Travis Etienne Jr. has demonstrated his appreciation for his father through both interviews and public appearances.
In June 2021, shortly after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the NFL Draft, the team released a Father’s Day video featuring Travis surprising his father with Jaguars merchandise.
The event highlighted the close relationship between the two and their excitement about Travis beginning his professional football career.
Travis Sr. has continued supporting both of his sons as they pursued opportunities in the NFL.
His influence is part of the family’s broader tradition of encouraging athletic achievement while maintaining strong personal relationships.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Mother: Donnetta Etienne
Donnetta Etienne is Travis Etienne Jr.’s mother and one of the most influential figures in his life.
She has worked as a nurse while raising her four children alongside her husband.
Donnetta is known for her dedication to her family and her active involvement in her children’s athletic careers.
According to an ESPN family profile, she and her husband encouraged their children to participate in multiple sports to help them maintain discipline and avoid negative influences.
The family organized demanding routines involving school, sports practices, and other responsibilities.
Donnetta believed that maintaining structured activities would help her children develop positive habits and remain focused on their education.
Her approach helped Travis and Trevor develop the athletic foundation that eventually led both brothers to professional football.
How Donnetta Etienne Influenced Her Son’s Career
Donnetta Etienne has been a central source of encouragement throughout Travis’s football journey.
During his college career at Clemson, Travis remained closely connected to his mother despite living several hours away from his hometown.
In a Sports Illustrated profile published in December 2018, Donnetta discussed her son’s childhood and his determination to succeed in football.
The report described how Travis had been strongly attached to his mother when he was young.
His younger brother Trevor recalled that Travis sometimes chased their mother’s car when she left for work.
The family’s grandmother eventually discovered that giving Travis a football helped keep him occupied.
This early fascination with football became one of the defining characteristics of his childhood.
Even after he achieved national recognition at Clemson, Travis continued relying on his mother for emotional support.
Donnetta has also remained a devoted supporter of Trevor’s football career, regularly attending games involving both sons.
Donnetta Etienne’s Famous Cajun Cooking
One distinctive part of the Etienne family’s upbringing is Donnetta’s homemade Louisiana cooking.
Travis and Trevor have frequently discussed their appreciation for the meals their mother prepares.
In an ESPN interview highlighted by PEOPLE, Travis identified smothered pork chops with corn and rice as one of his favorite homemade meals.
Trevor expressed a preference for turkey necks served with mustard greens and ham hocks.
The brothers continue enjoying their mother’s cooking whenever they return home.
These family traditions reflect the strong connection the Etiennes maintain with their Louisiana upbringing.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Siblings: How Many Brothers and Sisters Does He Have?
Travis Etienne Jr. has three siblings: one brother and two sisters.
His younger brother is Trevor Etienne, while his sisters are Shanea Lyons and Danielle Lyons.
The siblings grew up together in Jennings, Louisiana, where athletics played an important role in their childhood.
All four children participated in competitive sports, with Travis and Trevor ultimately pursuing professional football careers.
Trevor Etienne: Travis Etienne Jr.’s Younger Brother
Trevor Etienne is Travis Etienne Jr.’s younger brother and a professional football running back for the Carolina Panthers.
Trevor was born on July 9, 2004, in Jennings, Louisiana.
He followed his older brother into football, attending Jennings High School before beginning his college football career at the University of Florida.
After two seasons with the Florida Gators, Trevor transferred to the University of Georgia, where he represented the Bulldogs during the 2024 season.
The Carolina Panthers selected Trevor in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 114th overall pick.
His selection meant that both Etienne brothers had reached the NFL.
As of now, Trevor plays for the Panthers, while Travis represents the New Orleans Saints.
How Close Are Travis and Trevor Etienne?
Travis and Trevor Etienne share a close relationship built around family, football, and mutual encouragement.
Despite their age difference of approximately five and a half years, the brothers developed a competitive bond while growing up.
Trevor frequently followed Travis around during childhood and attempted to imitate his football skills.
As the older brother, Travis became an important role model.
In a PEOPLE interview published in September 2024, Travis explained that he encouraged Trevor to pursue his own football identity rather than simply follow the same college path.
He supported Trevor’s decision to attend Florida rather than Clemson.
Travis also said that setting a positive example for his younger brother helped motivate him to complete his college education.
The siblings have appeared together in advertising campaigns for Ellianos Coffee and Chipotle, demonstrating their close relationship beyond football.
Travis and Trevor Etienne’s First NFL Meeting
One of the most memorable moments in the Etienne family’s football history occurred on September 7, 2025.
On that day, Travis’s Jacksonville Jaguars faced Trevor’s Carolina Panthers in an NFL regular-season game.
It was the first time the brothers had competed on the same field during their organized football careers.
Travis rushed for 146 yards on 16 carries as Jacksonville defeated Carolina 26-10.
After the game, the brothers embraced and exchanged jerseys.
Numerous relatives traveled from Louisiana to attend the occasion.
According to the Charlotte Observer, their parents, sisters, and grandmother were among the family members celebrating the milestone.
The occasion marked a significant achievement for a family that had spent years supporting both players’ football ambitions.
Shanea Lyons: Travis Etienne Jr.’s Sister
Shanea Lyons is one of Travis Etienne Jr.’s sisters and the eldest daughter in the family.
Like her brothers, Shanea participated in competitive athletics during her school years.
According to Sports Illustrated, Shanea and her sister Danielle competed in basketball and track at Jennings High School.
Their athletic achievements helped establish a family tradition of competitive sports.
In September 2025, the Charlotte Observer reported that Shanea was studying nursing at a community college near Lake Charles, Louisiana.
She adjusted her academic schedule to attend the NFL game between her brothers, Travis and Trevor.
Her attendance reflected the importance of family support within the Etienne household.
Danielle Lyons: Travis Etienne Jr.’s Sister
Danielle Lyons is Travis Etienne Jr.’s other sister.
She also participated in competitive sports while growing up in Louisiana.
According to Sports Illustrated, both Danielle and Shanea achieved success in school basketball and track competitions.
Although Danielle has maintained a relatively private public profile, she has appeared in media coverage involving the Etienne family.
She attended the September 2025 NFL meeting between Travis and Trevor, joining relatives who traveled from Louisiana to support the brothers.
During the event, family members wore customized jerseys featuring both Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers designs.
The celebration demonstrated how closely the siblings remained connected despite pursuing different personal and professional paths.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Grandmother and Extended Family
Travis Etienne Jr. also maintains strong connections with members of his extended family.
His grandmother, Cynthia Lyons, was among the relatives who attended the September 2025 game between Travis and Trevor.
The Charlotte Observer identified Cynthia in its coverage of the family gathering.
Sports Illustrated previously described how Travis’s grandmother helped care for him during childhood.
She recognized his early fascination with football and encouraged him to remain occupied with the sport.
Travis is also an uncle, with published family profiles mentioning nieces and nephews.
These relationships demonstrate the importance of extended family connections in the running back’s life.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Family Background and Louisiana Roots
The Etienne family comes from Jennings, a small city in southwestern Louisiana.
Growing up in a close-knit community helped Travis develop strong relationships with relatives, friends, coaches, and neighbors.
His parents emphasized education and athletic participation, ensuring their children remained involved in structured activities.
Those experiences helped Travis and Trevor develop the discipline necessary to succeed in college and professional football.
Even after moving away to pursue their careers, the brothers continued recognizing Jennings as an important part of their identities.
In March 2026, Travis returned to Louisiana by signing with the New Orleans Saints.
He explained during his introductory press conference that the opportunity to return to his home state made New Orleans an especially attractive destination.
The move allowed him to continue his NFL career while strengthening his connection to his Louisiana roots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travis Etienne Jr.’s Family
Who is Travis Etienne Jr.’s girlfriend?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s girlfriend is named Esmeralda.
Does Travis Etienne Jr. have children?
NFL player Travis Etienne Jr. has one child, a boy named Saint.
Who are Travis Etienne Jr.’s parents?
His parents are Travis Etienne Sr. and Donnetta Etienne. His father has worked in the oil industry, while his mother has worked as a nurse.
Who is Travis Etienne Jr.’s father?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s father is Travis Etienne Sr., who helped raise four children in Jennings, Louisiana, and encouraged their involvement in sports.
Who is Travis Etienne Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Donnetta Etienne, a nurse who has supported her children’s athletic careers and emphasized education, discipline, and family values.
How many siblings does Travis Etienne Jr. have?
Travis Etienne Jr. has three siblings: younger brother Trevor Etienne and two sisters, Shanea Lyons and Danielle Lyons.
Who is Travis Etienne Jr.’s brother?
His younger brother is Trevor Etienne, an NFL running back for the Carolina Panthers. Trevor previously played college football at Florida and Georgia.
Does Travis Etienne Jr. have sisters?
Yes. Travis Etienne Jr. has two sisters named Shanea Lyons and Danielle Lyons. Both participated in basketball and track during their school years.
Are Travis Etienne and Trevor Etienne brothers?
Yes. Travis and Trevor Etienne are biological brothers who share the same parents, Travis Etienne Sr. and Donnetta Etienne. Both became professional NFL running backs.
Where is Travis Etienne Jr.’s family from?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s family is from Jennings, Louisiana, where he and his three siblings grew up.
What NFL team does Travis Etienne Jr. play for?
As of now, Travis Etienne Jr. plays for the New Orleans Saints. He joined the team in March 2026 after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
