Rico Dowdle’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Mariah Miranda

Rico Dowdle’s family includes his longtime partner, Shar’e “Shay” Harrison, their three children, and his mother, Leslie Dowdle. The American football running back, born on June 14, 1998, in Gaffney, South Carolina, plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Although Dowdle is widely recognized for his powerful running style and impressive performances, he is also a devoted father who maintains close relationships with his loved ones.

Dowdle grew up in the Carolinas and attended A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, North Carolina, before playing college football at the University of South Carolina. His journey to the NFL was influenced by his mother, who worked multiple jobs to support him, and his longtime partner, who has been by his side since high school.

From his relationship with Shar’e Harrison to his three children and his mother’s sacrifices, here is everything publicly known about Rico Dowdle’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.

Rico Dowdle’s Girlfriend: Who Is Shar’e Harrison?

Shar’e “Shay” Harrison is Rico Dowdle’s longtime partner and the mother of his three children. The couple have been together since their high school years in North Carolina.

Their relationship has attracted attention among NFL fans, particularly as Dowdle became an established running back with the Dallas Cowboys and later joined the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although Harrison maintains a relatively private personal life, she has occasionally appeared in family photographs shared on social media.

According to Blavity and Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Dowdle and Harrison are high school sweethearts whose relationship continued throughout his college and professional football careers.

In October 2025, an ESPN report described Harrison as Dowdle’s fiancée while discussing his family life and performances with the Carolina Panthers.

However, the couple have not made a widely documented public announcement confirming a wedding.

As of now, Shar’e Harrison remains Dowdle’s publicly identified longtime partner, although their legal marital status has not been independently confirmed.

Who Is Shar’e “Shay” Harrison?

Shar’e Harrison, commonly known as Shay Harrison, is an American skincare professional and the longtime partner of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle.

According to entertainment publications covering their relationship, Harrison has worked as an esthetician, specializing in skincare treatments and beauty services.

She grew up in North Carolina and attended high school with Dowdle.

Although her complete educational and professional background has not been widely documented, she has maintained her own interests while raising their children.

In June 2024, Dowdle’s mother, Leslie, shared a social media birthday tribute identifying Harrison as 26 years old at the time.

That report indicates that Harrison was born in 1998, the same year as Dowdle.

Unlike many partners of professional athletes, Harrison generally keeps much of her daily life outside mainstream sports coverage.

Nevertheless, she has shared important family milestones, including maternity photographs and celebrations involving their children.

How Did Rico Dowdle and Shar’e Harrison Meet?

Rico Dowdle and Shar’e Harrison began their relationship during high school.

Photographs of the couple attending their school prom have circulated online, confirming that their relationship dates back to their teenage years.

After graduating from high school, Dowdle enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where he played for the Gamecocks from 2016 to 2019.

The couple maintained their relationship as his football career progressed.

When Dowdle entered the NFL in 2020, Harrison continued supporting him as he adjusted to professional football and the challenges associated with injuries and competition for playing time.

Their relationship also developed into parenthood when they welcomed their first daughter in December 2020.

Over the following years, the couple expanded their family while Dowdle continued establishing himself in the NFL.

Is Rico Dowdle Married to Shar’e Harrison?

Rico Dowdle’s marriage to Shar’e Harrison has not been publicly confirmed.

Speculation about the couple’s marital status began after Dowdle’s mother referred to Harrison as her daughter-in-law in a June 2024 birthday tribute.

However, the expression may have been used affectionately rather than as confirmation of a legal marriage.

In October 2025, ESPN referred to Harrison as Dowdle’s fiancée, suggesting that the couple were engaged at that time.

Despite these reports, no widely verified wedding announcement or marriage date has been made public.

For this reason, Harrison is best described as Dowdle’s longtime partner rather than definitively identifying her as his wife.

Rico Dowdle’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?

Rico Dowdle has three publicly reported children with Shar’e Harrison: two daughters and a son.

The couple welcomed their first daughter, Araiya A’mour Dowdle, in December 2020, followed by their second daughter, Amina, in February 2023.

In 2026, they expanded their family again with the arrival of a baby boy.

The birth of their son was publicly acknowledged by Dowdle’s mother, Leslie, who congratulated the couple on social media in May 2026.

Araiya A’mour Dowdle: Rico Dowdle’s First Daughter

Araiya A’mour Dowdle is Rico Dowdle and Shar’e Harrison’s eldest daughter.

She was born on December 3, 2020, at a hospital in Plano, Texas, during Dowdle’s first NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys.

The running back celebrated her birth through a social media announcement, expressing his love and commitment to his newborn daughter.

Araiya weighed approximately seven pounds and five ounces at birth, according to his original announcement reported by Showbiz Cheat Sheet.

Her arrival marked an important personal milestone for Dowdle as he began his professional football career.

Amina Dowdle: Rico Dowdle’s Second Daughter

Amina Dowdle is the couple’s second daughter, born in February 2023.

Before her birth, Dowdle and Harrison participated in a family maternity photoshoot with their eldest daughter, Araiya.

Dowdle shared several photographs celebrating the pregnancy and expressed his appreciation for their growing family.

He also used the hashtag “girldad” on social media, highlighting his pride in being the father of two daughters.

Harrison celebrated Amina’s arrival with photographs and videos documenting the family’s transition from three members to four.

Rico Dowdle’s Son: His Third Child

In January 2026, Shar’e Harrison announced that she and Rico Dowdle were expecting their third child.

She shared photographs from a maternity shoot, celebrating the pregnancy and describing the baby as their rainbow baby, a term commonly used for a child born after a pregnancy loss.

In March 2026, Harrison shared another maternity photoshoot in which she wore a blue dress, confirming that the couple were expecting a son.

Family and friends subsequently celebrated the pregnancy with a baby shower.

In May 2026, Dowdle’s mother, Leslie Dowdle, shared a congratulatory message on Instagram announcing that the couple had welcomed their baby boy.

The public announcement confirmed the arrival of their third child.

As of now, the baby’s exact birth date and name have not been reliably established in widely accessible reporting.

The arrival of their son marked another important moment for Dowdle and Harrison as they continued raising their family alongside his professional football career.

Rico Dowdle’s Parents: Meet His Mother and Father

Rico Dowdle was born on June 14, 1998, in Gaffney, South Carolina.

His mother, Leslie Dowdle, has been publicly identified in several interviews and sports reports. Information about his father, however, is more limited.

Dowdle spent his early childhood in Gaffney before moving with his family to the Asheville area of North Carolina while he was in eighth grade.

His upbringing was shaped by his mother’s determination to provide opportunities for him to succeed.

Rico Dowdle’s Mother: Leslie Dowdle

Leslie Dowdle, who also uses the name Leslie Dowdle Ellis on social media, is Rico Dowdle’s mother.

She played a major role in his upbringing and football development, particularly during the years when he was establishing himself as a promising young athlete.

In an October 2025 interview published by ESPN, Leslie discussed the challenges and rewards of raising her son.

The report explained that she worked three jobs to help provide Rico with opportunities to develop his abilities.

Her commitment enabled him to participate in sports while pursuing his education.

Leslie also shared a family memory from the day Rico was born.

She recalled that her father visited the hospital shortly after Rico’s birth and immediately noticed the baby’s hands and feet.

He believed his grandson had unusual athletic potential and gave him the nickname “Big Daddy.”

As Dowdle grew older, Leslie noticed his natural athletic abilities, particularly when he began playing basketball at a young age.

By approximately age ten, Rico was already telling his mother that he intended to become a professional football player.

Despite the challenges of reaching the NFL, Leslie continued encouraging his ambitions.

Her belief in his abilities remained strong even when Dowdle experienced injuries and limited opportunities during his early professional career.

In May 2026, Leslie also attracted media attention when she correctly predicted that her son would join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to an Associated Press report, she called Rico shortly after Pittsburgh hired Mike McCarthy as head coach and predicted that he would eventually sign with the team.

Her prediction became reality when Dowdle joined the Steelers in March 2026.

Leslie has also publicly celebrated important family milestones, including the birth of Dowdle and Harrison’s third child.

Rico Dowdle’s Father: Who Is His Dad?

Information about Rico Dowdle’s father remains limited.

The running back’s full name is Rico Sharod Dowdle Jr., as confirmed by his official University of South Carolina football biography.

The suffix “Jr.” suggests that he shares his name with his father, although authoritative sports reports reviewed for this profile do not independently provide a detailed biography of his dad.

Some online biographical websites identify his father as Rico Dowdle Sr., but additional confirmation from reliable interviews or official sources is limited.

Unlike his mother, Leslie, who has spoken publicly about his childhood and football achievements, Dowdle’s father has not been extensively featured in mainstream coverage.

His father’s profession, educational background, and involvement in his upbringing have not been reliably established.

Consequently, it would be inappropriate to attribute specific personal or professional details to him without stronger public evidence.

Rico Dowdle’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?

As of now, reliable public information about Rico Dowdle’s siblings is limited.

His official Pittsburgh Steelers and University of South Carolina football biographies focus primarily on his athletic achievements and do not provide a confirmed list of brothers or sisters.

Although Dowdle has discussed his mother, partner, and children publicly, he has not extensively documented his sibling relationships in major sports interviews.

Does Rico Dowdle Have a Brother?

No brother of Rico Dowdle has been conclusively identified through his official NFL or college football biographies.

Some family-related information appears online, but the available evidence does not establish the identities or number of any brothers.

Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify a specific person as his brother without independently verified documentation.

Does Rico Dowdle Have a Sister?

Similarly, no sister has been reliably identified by name through major sports reporting or official player biographies.

Dowdle has generally maintained privacy regarding his extended family.

Until further information becomes publicly available, his complete sibling relationships remain unconfirmed.

How Rico Dowdle’s Family Influenced His Football Career

Rico Dowdle’s journey from a small-town athlete to an established NFL running back reflects the dedication and persistence that characterized his upbringing.

Born in Gaffney, South Carolina, he developed an interest in several sports during childhood.

After his family relocated to North Carolina, he attended A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville.

During his senior season, Dowdle played quarterback and became one of the most productive offensive players in Western North Carolina history.

He rushed for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns while passing for another 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns.

His 63 total touchdowns established a Western North Carolina single-season record.

Despite his impressive achievements, Dowdle did not enter college football as a nationally celebrated five-star recruit.

He joined the University of South Carolina, where he played running back for the Gamecocks from 2016 to 2019.

During his college career, he rushed for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Although injuries affected portions of his time at South Carolina, Dowdle demonstrated the potential to compete at the professional level.

He entered the 2020 NFL Draft but was not selected.

The Dallas Cowboys subsequently signed him as an undrafted free agent.

His first several NFL seasons were challenging, as injuries and limited playing opportunities prevented him from establishing a consistent role.

However, he continued developing and eventually became a significant contributor to Dallas’ offense.

In 2024, Dowdle recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing with 1,079 yards.

He signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 and produced another impressive season, rushing for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns.

On March 13, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced that they had signed Dowdle to a two-year contract.

The move reunited him with Mike McCarthy, his former head coach in Dallas.

Throughout this journey, his mother’s support and the presence of his longtime partner and children have remained important aspects of his personal life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rico Dowdle’s Family

Who is Rico Dowdle’s girlfriend?

Rico Dowdle’s longtime partner is Shar’e “Shay” Harrison. They have been together since high school and share three children. ESPN described Harrison as his fiancée in October 2025.

Is Rico Dowdle married?

As of now, Rico Dowdle has not publicly confirmed a marriage. Although his mother has referred to Harrison as her daughter-in-law, a wedding has not been independently verified.

How many children does Rico Dowdle have?

Rico Dowdle has three publicly reported children with Shar’e Harrison: two daughters, Araiya and Amina, and a son born in 2026.

What are Rico Dowdle’s children’s names?

His daughters are named Araiya A’mour Dowdle and Amina Dowdle. The name of his youngest son has not been reliably established in public reporting.

Who is Rico Dowdle’s mother?

His mother is Leslie Dowdle, also known as Leslie Dowdle Ellis. She worked multiple jobs while raising him and has publicly supported his football career.

Who is Rico Dowdle’s father?

His full name is Rico Sharod Dowdle Jr., suggesting that his father shares his name. However, detailed verified information about his father’s identity and professional background remains limited.

Does Rico Dowdle have siblings?

As of now, Rico Dowdle’s complete sibling relationships have not been publicly verified. Official NFL and college football biographies do not identify any brothers or sisters by name.

Where is Rico Dowdle’s family from?

Rico Dowdle was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, and grew up in the Carolinas. His family moved to the Asheville area of North Carolina when he was in eighth grade.

Who is the mother of Rico Dowdle’s children?

Shar’e “Shay” Harrison, his longtime partner and high school sweetheart, is the mother of his three children.

What NFL team does Rico Dowdle play for?

Rico Dowdle plays running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom he joined in March 2026 after spending five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and one season with the Carolina Panthers.