Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Daniel Carlson is an American professional football placekicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 23, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, he played college football at Auburn University before beginning his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.
Beyond his achievements on the football field, Daniel Carlson is a husband and father who comes from a highly athletic family with strong Swedish-American roots.
Daniel Carlson’s wife is Katherine Barker Carlson, whom he married on January 13, 2018. The couple have three children and publicly revealed in August 2026 that they were expecting their fourth.
His parents are Hans Carlson and Jodie Carlson, while his siblings are his older brother Nils Carlson and younger brother Anders Carlson, who has also played professionally in the NFL.
Here is everything publicly known about Daniel Carlson’s wife, children, parents, brothers, and family background.
Daniel Carlson’s Wife: Who Is Katherine Carlson?
Daniel Carlson is married to Katherine Barker Carlson, whom he met while attending Auburn University in Alabama.
The couple began dating during their college years and eventually developed a relationship that continued into Daniel’s professional football career.
According to an August 2017 interview published by The Auburn Plainsman, Daniel was attracted to Katherine before their relationship became serious.
Although their relationship initially involved some geographical distance, they continued communicating and eventually became a couple.
Katherine graduated from Auburn University in spring 2017 before returning to her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Daniel later decided to propose to her during the summer of 2017.
When Did Daniel Carlson Marry Katherine Barker?
Daniel Carlson and Katherine Barker married on January 13, 2018, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Daniel proposed in July 2017, shortly before beginning his final season of college football at Auburn.
According to Auburn University’s official athletics website, he arranged a surprise proposal while making Katherine believe they were going to dinner with his grandparents.
When the couple arrived, Daniel surprised her with his marriage proposal.
He later admitted that proposing was more nerve-racking than attempting a difficult field goal during a football game.
After their engagement, the couple prepared for their wedding while Daniel was completing his college football career.
They officially married in January 2018, approximately three months before the Minnesota Vikings selected Daniel in the NFL Draft.
In a 2019 interview with The Gazette, Daniel credited Katherine with helping him navigate the emotional challenges of his rookie NFL season.
His early career included being released by the Minnesota Vikings after struggling in two games, before receiving another opportunity with the Raiders.
Daniel explained that having Katherine beside him helped him remain grounded during that difficult period.
What Does Katherine Carlson Do?
Katherine Carlson is an Auburn University graduate who has supported her husband’s football career.
Although she is publicly recognized as an NFL player’s wife, detailed verified information about her present occupation is limited.
She has occasionally participated in charitable activities associated with Daniel’s football teams.
For example, the Raiders published photographs showing Katherine helping prepare care packages for people affected by the Kincade Fire in California in 2019.
As of now, Katherine continues to be publicly identified as Daniel Carlson’s wife and the mother of their children.
Daniel Carlson’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Daniel Carlson and his wife Katherine have three children, and they announced that they were expecting a fourth child in 2026.
The most reliable confirmation comes directly from Carlson during an interview published by the New Orleans Saints on August 25, 2026.
While explaining why he had waited before signing with a new NFL team, Carlson revealed that he and Katherine had three young children, with another baby on the way.
He explained that their family lives in Auburn, Alabama, and that being closer to home influenced his decision to sign with New Orleans.
Daniel Carlson’s First Child
Daniel and Katherine announced in April 2020 that they were expecting their first child later that year.
In a social media announcement, Carlson expressed his excitement about becoming a father and revealed that their baby was expected in September.
In a June 2020 interview with The Gazette, Daniel discussed preparing for parenthood during a period of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By October 2023, the couple had two children, ages three and one, according to local reporting about the Carlson brothers’ NFL matchup.
Daniel Carlson’s Third Child
Daniel and Katherine subsequently welcomed another child.
A Raiders-focused biographical website, RaiderLadies, reported that the couple welcomed a son named Jack Vilhelm Carlson on March 27, 2024.
However, those specific birth details have not been independently verified through a major news organization or an official team announcement.
Daniel’s own 2026 interview with the New Orleans Saints confirms that he and Katherine had three children by August of that year.
Daniel Carlson and Katherine Are Expecting Their Fourth Child
In August 2026, Daniel revealed that his family was preparing to welcome a fourth child.
He made the announcement while discussing his free-agency decisions and the importance of staying close to the family’s home in Auburn, Alabama.
His comments showed how fatherhood had influenced his professional priorities.
As of now, the latest verified family update confirms three children and a fourth pregnancy. No subsequent birth announcement has been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Daniel Carlson’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Daniel Carlson’s parents are Hans Carlson and Jodie Carlson.
Both have played important roles in his upbringing, athletic development, and personal values.
The Carlson family has strong connections to the United States and Sweden through Daniel’s father’s background.
Daniel Carlson’s Father: Hans Carlson
Hans Carlson is Daniel Carlson’s father, a Swedish-born former college tennis player and longtime tennis coach.
Hans grew up in Sweden before moving to the United States on a tennis scholarship to the University of Alabama.
While attending Alabama, he met Jodie, who would later become his wife.
After college, Hans pursued a career in tennis coaching and eventually settled with his family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
According to ESPN and The Gazette, Hans encouraged all three of his sons to participate in different sports while growing up.
Rather than pressuring them to follow his own tennis career, he allowed them to develop their individual athletic interests.
Daniel and Anders eventually specialized in football kicking, while Nils pursued soccer.
Hans also encouraged healthy competition between his sons through activities such as tennis, basketball, and soccer.
He remained actively involved in supporting Daniel and Anders throughout their college football careers and later attended their professional games whenever possible.
Daniel Carlson’s Mother: Jodie Carlson
Jodie Carlson, whose maiden name is Jodie Jones, is Daniel Carlson’s mother.
She grew up in Alabama in a family that supported the University of Alabama’s athletic programs.
According to The Gazette, Jodie’s father played baseball at Alabama, while her mother was a cheerleader.
Jodie attended the University of Alabama, where she met Hans Carlson.
The couple eventually married and raised three sons together.
Jodie also worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines, a career that helped her travel to watch her sons participate in football games.
In an October 2023 ESPN interview, she explained that supporting Daniel and Anders sometimes required choosing which son’s game to attend because the brothers played in different cities.
She also emphasized education and personal character during her sons’ childhoods.
Both Hans and Jodie encouraged their children to perform well academically while participating in sports.
Daniel Carlson’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers Anders and Nils Carlson
Daniel Carlson has two brothers: Nils Carlson and Anders Carlson.
Daniel is the middle child, with Nils being the oldest and Anders the youngest.
All three brothers grew up participating in competitive sports, especially soccer and tennis.
1. Anders Carlson – Daniel Carlson’s Younger Brother
Anders Carlson is Daniel Carlson’s younger brother and a professional American football placekicker.
Born on June 16, 1998, Anders followed a similar path to Daniel by attending The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs before enrolling at Auburn University.
Anders played college football for Auburn from 2017 through 2022.
During his freshman year, he was part of the same Auburn football program as Daniel, although Anders redshirted while his older brother completed his final college season.
The Green Bay Packers selected Anders in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 207th overall pick.
He subsequently became the team’s starting kicker during his rookie season.
Anders also spent time with the New York Jets after leaving Green Bay.
Both brothers have credited their parents and competitive upbringing with helping them develop successful kicking careers.
Daniel Carlson and Anders Carlson Made NFL History
On October 9, 2023, Daniel and Anders Carlson faced each other during a Monday Night Football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers.
Daniel represented the Raiders, while Anders kicked for the Packers.
According to Sports Spectrum, their matchup marked the first time in 36 years that two brothers had competed against each other as NFL kickers.
The occasion was especially memorable for their parents, Hans and Jodie, who attended alongside other family members.
Despite the brothers’ lifelong athletic rivalry, both expressed appreciation for the opportunity to compete against one another on a professional football field.
2. Nils Carlson – Daniel Carlson’s Older Brother
Nils Carlson is Daniel Carlson’s older brother and a former professional soccer goalkeeper.
Unlike his younger brothers, who eventually pursued American football, Nils concentrated on soccer.
He played goalkeeper during his younger years and later competed professionally in Sweden.
According to an ESPN feature published in October 2023, Nils helped Daniel and Anders develop their kicking abilities while they were growing up.
The younger brothers frequently practiced shooting soccer balls against Nils while he played goalkeeper.
Their father recalled that Daniel and Anders took thousands of shots against their older brother during family soccer sessions.
Those experiences helped develop the leg strength, coordination, and competitiveness that later became important in their football careers.
According to The Gazette, Nils later established a professional career as an aerospace engineer in Sweden.
He was also married with two children at the time of the publication’s 2023 family profile.
Daniel Carlson’s Swedish Heritage and Childhood
Daniel Carlson was born in Dallas, Texas, but spent much of his childhood in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
His father, Hans, brought Swedish cultural traditions into the household.
In 2008, the Carlson family moved temporarily to Sweden, where Daniel and his brothers experienced life in their father’s home country.
The family lived in Sweden for approximately one year.
According to Auburn University, Daniel initially found the move difficult because he did not speak Swedish fluently.
However, he gradually learned the language and adjusted to his new school environment.
Daniel has spoken positively about the experience, explaining that it helped him appreciate different cultures and broadened his perspective.
He later returned to the United States and resumed his education in Colorado.
How Daniel Carlson’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Daniel’s upbringing played an important role in his eventual success as an NFL kicker.
His father’s background in tennis encouraged physical coordination and mental discipline, while his mother’s emphasis on education helped establish strong academic habits.
His brothers also contributed to his athletic development through years of friendly competition.
Interestingly, Daniel initially focused more on soccer than American football.
During a 2018 interview published by the Raiders, he explained that he began kicking footballs after a family friend associated with his church encouraged him to try the position.
The opportunity had originally been intended for his older brother Nils, who had remained in Sweden to pursue soccer.
Daniel accepted the challenge and eventually became an outstanding high school kicker.
He enrolled at Auburn University in 2013 and established himself as one of the most successful kickers in school history.
After being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Carlson experienced a difficult beginning to his professional career.
However, he rebuilt his confidence after joining the Raiders and eventually earned All-Pro recognition in 2021 and 2022.
In August 2026, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, explaining that proximity to his wife and growing family in Alabama was an important consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel Carlson’s Family
Who is Daniel Carlson’s wife?
Daniel Carlson’s wife is Katherine Barker Carlson. They met at Auburn University and married on January 13, 2018, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Does Daniel Carlson have children?
Yes. Daniel Carlson and Katherine have three confirmed children. In August 2026, Daniel also revealed that the couple were expecting their fourth child.
Who are Daniel Carlson’s parents?
His parents are Hans Carlson, a Swedish-born tennis coach and former college tennis player, and Jodie Carlson, who attended the University of Alabama and worked as a flight attendant.
How many siblings does Daniel Carlson have?
Daniel Carlson has two brothers: Nils Carlson and Anders Carlson.
Is Anders Carlson related to Daniel Carlson?
Yes. Anders Carlson is Daniel Carlson’s younger brother. Both played college football at Auburn University and later became NFL kickers.
Who is Daniel Carlson’s older brother?
Daniel Carlson’s older brother is Nils Carlson, a former professional soccer goalkeeper who later worked as an aerospace engineer in Sweden.
Where is Daniel Carlson’s family from?
Daniel Carlson was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up primarily in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His father is originally from Sweden, while his mother grew up in Alabama.
Where does Daniel Carlson’s family live?
In August 2026, Carlson told the New Orleans Saints that he and his wife lived in Auburn, Alabama, with their children.
What NFL team does Daniel Carlson play for?
Daniel Carlson plays for the New Orleans Saints, who signed him on August 24, 2026, after his previous NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders.
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.
