Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Ryan Fitzgerald’s family has played an important role in his journey to the NFL. The Carolina Panthers kicker is the son of Chad Fitzgerald and Sandy Fitzgerald and has a younger brother named Brett Fitzgerald, who also plays football. Away from the field, Ryan is engaged to his longtime girlfriend and has been preparing for marriage.
Born on August 13, 2000, in Georgia, Ryan Fitzgerald grew up in Coolidge, where his family developed a strong connection to football. His parents encouraged his athletic ambitions while also emphasizing the importance of education.
After an outstanding college football career at Florida State University, Fitzgerald joined the Carolina Panthers in 2025 and established himself as an NFL kicker.
Here is everything publicly known about Ryan Fitzgerald’s girlfriend, fiancée, children, parents, brothers and sisters.
Does Ryan Fitzgerald Have a Girlfriend?
Ryan Fitzgerald is engaged to his longtime girlfriend. His engagement was publicly confirmed by the Carolina Panthers in July 2026.
According to an article published on the team’s official website, Fitzgerald became engaged during the 2026 offseason and began planning his wedding.
The engagement represented an important milestone in his personal life following his successful rookie NFL season.
Fitzgerald also discussed how his relationships with veteran teammates helped him prepare for major life changes, including marriage.
He specifically highlighted the influence of longtime Panthers long snapper JJ Jansen, who has offered advice about football, marriage, faith and life away from the sport.
As of now, Fitzgerald’s engagement is publicly confirmed, although his fiancée’s name has not been reliably identified in official team reporting.
Who Is Ryan Fitzgerald’s Fiancée?
Ryan Fitzgerald’s fiancée is his longtime girlfriend, but her full name has not been established through reliable public reporting.
The Carolina Panthers have confirmed that the couple became engaged, but Fitzgerald has generally kept his romantic relationship outside the spotlight.
Although his engagement has attracted attention among Panthers fans, there are limited publicly verified details about how the couple met or when they began dating.
Is Ryan Fitzgerald Married?
As of now, Ryan Fitzgerald has not publicly confirmed that his wedding has taken place.
A July 2026 Carolina Panthers article discussed a planned wedding in early July. However, the article contained inconsistent references to the wedding year, so the precise date should not be treated as confirmed.
Until an official marriage announcement or another reliable confirmation becomes available, Fitzgerald is best described as engaged rather than married.
Does Ryan Fitzgerald Have Children?
As of now, Ryan Fitzgerald has no publicly confirmed children.
There have been no reliable announcements from Fitzgerald, the Carolina Panthers or established sports publications confirming that he has a son or daughter.
While he has publicly discussed his engagement and upcoming marriage, he has not disclosed any plans regarding starting a family.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Fitzgerald has children or to provide children’s names without verified information.
Who Are Ryan Fitzgerald’s Parents?
Ryan Fitzgerald’s parents are Chad Fitzgerald and Sandy Fitzgerald. Both have supported their son’s football career, from his childhood in Georgia to his development at Florida State and eventual arrival in the NFL.
The Fitzgerald family comes from Coolidge, Georgia, and has a strong tradition of supporting college football, particularly the Georgia Bulldogs.
Ryan Fitzgerald’s Father: Chad Fitzgerald
Chad Fitzgerald is Ryan Fitzgerald’s father and has been an important influence on both his education and athletic development.
Chad studied accounting in college and pursued a professional career in business and finance.
According to a December 2023 feature published by Florida State University’s College of Business, Chad worked as the chief financial officer of 1915 South, a furniture retailer headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia.
His professional background influenced Ryan’s decision to study accounting at Florida State.
Ryan explained that he had discussed becoming an accountant with his father from an early age. Following that interest, he earned undergraduate degrees in accounting and risk management/insurance.
Chad has also been a consistent supporter of Ryan’s football ambitions.
During an interview with The Charlotte Observer, Chad explained that Ryan had expressed a desire to play football at the highest level since childhood.
Even while playing college football at Florida State, Ryan continued believing that he could eventually reach the NFL.
His father’s encouragement and emphasis on education helped him pursue his professional football ambitions while preparing for a career after sports.
Ryan Fitzgerald’s Mother: Sandy Fitzgerald
Sandy Fitzgerald is Ryan Fitzgerald’s mother and one of his most enthusiastic supporters.
She has followed her son’s football journey closely, regularly attending games and documenting important moments on video.
Her support became particularly visible during Ryan’s rookie season with the Carolina Panthers.
Following a September 2025 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sandy sent Ryan recordings of his successful kicks, including an impressive 57-yard field goal.
Ryan’s younger brother Brett helped record some of the footage.
According to The Charlotte Observer, Sandy explained that she prefers watching Ryan warm up and cheering for him near the goalposts rather than spending her time tailgating.
She also described becoming emotional while watching her son fulfill his lifelong dream of playing professional football.
Her encouragement extended to his college career.
During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Sandy publicly celebrated Ryan’s performance and expressed pride in his achievements.
Her involvement illustrates the close relationship between Fitzgerald and his mother throughout his athletic career.
Who Are Ryan Fitzgerald’s Siblings?
Ryan Fitzgerald has a younger brother named Brett Fitzgerald. Like Ryan, Brett has pursued football and developed an interest in kicking.
The brothers grew up in a sports-oriented household and share an enthusiasm for American football.
Brett Fitzgerald – Ryan Fitzgerald’s Younger Brother
Brett Fitzgerald is Ryan Fitzgerald’s younger brother, approximately six years younger than the Panthers kicker.
According to a September 2025 report by The Charlotte Observer, Brett was 19 years old and attending Georgia Military College, where he also played as a kicker.
The brothers share more than their family name. Both chose the same specialized football position, demonstrating the athletic interests encouraged within the Fitzgerald family.
Brett has also supported Ryan during his professional career.
In September 2025, he helped his mother record Ryan’s performance during a Carolina Panthers game.
The family celebrated Ryan’s success together, illustrating the close bond between the two brothers.
Although Brett has developed his own football career, Ryan remains the first publicly documented NFL player among the brothers.
Does Ryan Fitzgerald Have a Sister?
As of now, there is no reliable public information identifying a sister of Ryan Fitzgerald.
Available family reporting identifies Chad and Sandy Fitzgerald as his parents and Brett Fitzgerald as his younger brother.
However, the absence of publicly documented sisters does not establish that he has none.
Ryan Fitzgerald’s Childhood and Family Background
Ryan Fitzgerald grew up in Coolidge, Georgia, in a household that valued education, family relationships and football.
His family supported the Georgia Bulldogs, and Ryan attended college football games with his parents from an early age.
A family photograph published by The Charlotte Observer showed a young Ryan attending a Georgia–Florida football game with Chad and Sandy Fitzgerald in 2005.
These experiences helped develop his enthusiasm for competitive football.
Ryan later attended Colquitt County High School in Georgia, where he became a highly regarded kicking prospect.
He earned an opportunity to continue his athletic career at Florida State University.
Alongside football, Fitzgerald pursued higher education and earned degrees in accounting and risk management/insurance before continuing graduate-level accounting studies.
His academic accomplishments reflected the influence of his father’s professional background and his family’s emphasis on preparing for life beyond sports.
How Did Ryan Fitzgerald’s Family Influence His NFL Career?
Ryan Fitzgerald’s journey to the NFL involved consistent encouragement from his parents and younger brother.
His father helped shape his determination and academic interests, while his mother remained a visible presence at games and other major football events.
After developing into an All-American kicker at Florida State, Ryan entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
The Carolina Panthers gave him an opportunity to compete for their starting kicking position.
He earned the job and made several important field goals during his rookie season, including game-winning kicks.
His performances brought recognition not only to himself but also to the family members who had supported his development for years.
As Fitzgerald continues his professional career, his parents, brother and fiancée remain important parts of his personal life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Fitzgerald’s Family
Who is Ryan Fitzgerald’s girlfriend?
Ryan Fitzgerald is engaged to his longtime girlfriend. The Carolina Panthers confirmed his engagement in July 2026, but his fiancée’s name has not been reliably established in official reporting.
Is Ryan Fitzgerald married?
As of now, Fitzgerald is publicly confirmed to be engaged. A completed wedding has not been reliably verified.
Does Ryan Fitzgerald have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.
Who is Ryan Fitzgerald’s father?
His father is Chad Fitzgerald, an accounting professional who was identified by Florida State University as the chief financial officer of furniture retailer 1915 South.
Who is Ryan Fitzgerald’s mother?
His mother is Sandy Fitzgerald, who regularly supports him at football games and has celebrated his achievements throughout his career.
Who is Ryan Fitzgerald’s brother?
His younger brother is Brett Fitzgerald, a football kicker who attended Georgia Military College.
How many siblings does Ryan Fitzgerald have?
Ryan Fitzgerald has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger brother Brett. Additional siblings have not been reliably documented.
Where is Ryan Fitzgerald from?
Ryan Fitzgerald is from Coolidge, Georgia, and attended Colquitt County High School before playing college football at Florida State University.
How old is Ryan Fitzgerald?
Ryan Fitzgerald was born on August 13, 2000. He is 26 years old.
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.
