Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
L.J. Collier is an American football defensive lineman who plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. Before joining Arizona, he played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU) and spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Beyond his professional career, many fans want to learn about L.J. Collier’s family, wife, children, parents and siblings.
Born on September 12, 1995, in Munday, Texas, Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. grew up in a family with strong football traditions. His father is Lawrence Collier, while his late mother, Ruby Collier, died from pancreatic cancer during his college years.
Collier is the youngest of four children and has three older sisters, including one named Missy.
In his personal life, he is married to Samantha Collier, formerly Samantha Lane. Their wedding website lists June 28, 2023, as their wedding date. The couple also have a daughter, whose existence was confirmed by ESPN in March 2025.
L.J. Collier’s Wife: Who Is Samantha Collier?
L.J. Collier’s wife is Samantha Collier, whose maiden name is Samantha Lane.
Their relationship is confirmed by ESPN, which identified Samantha as the NFL player’s wife in a March 10, 2025, interview.
The couple also have a wedding website registered under their names, providing additional evidence of their relationship.
Although Samantha has supported Collier throughout significant moments in his professional career, she generally maintains a relatively private personal life.
Reliable public reporting does not provide extensive information about her occupation, education or childhood.
How Did L.J. Collier and Samantha Lane Meet?
The exact circumstances surrounding L.J. Collier and Samantha Lane’s first meeting have not been reliably documented.
Neither has provided a widely reported firsthand interview explaining when or where their relationship began.
However, their relationship was established before Collier became a father and before their planned 2023 wedding.
Samantha subsequently became an important source of support during his NFL career.
When Did L.J. Collier Get Married?
L.J. Collier and Samantha Lane’s wedding website lists June 28, 2023, as their wedding date.
The website, hosted by Zola, identifies the couple as L.J. Collier and Samantha Lane and lists Wailea-Makena, Hawaii, as their wedding destination.
The page provides the strongest public documentation of their planned ceremony’s date and location.
Although additional independent reporting about the ceremony itself is limited, ESPN subsequently confirmed that Samantha was Collier’s wife in March 2025.
As of now, Samantha is his publicly documented spouse.
How Samantha Supported L.J. Collier During His NFL Career
Samantha played an important role during one of the most challenging periods of Collier’s professional career.
In 2023, shortly after joining the Arizona Cardinals, Collier suffered a season-ending biceps injury.
He appeared in only one game that season.
During a March 2025 interview with ESPN reporter Josh Weinfuss, Collier discussed the emotional difficulties of being unable to play football.
He explained that missing almost an entire season affected his confidence and enjoyment of the sport.
The report identified Samantha, along with his agent, longtime friends and a former teacher, as people who helped him through the experience.
Collier eventually returned in 2024 and enjoyed the most productive statistical season of his NFL career.
His wife’s encouragement remained an important part of that recovery story.
L.J. Collier’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Yes, L.J. Collier has a daughter.
Her existence was confirmed by ESPN in an article published on March 10, 2025.
At the time, the publication described Collier traveling to Japan with his wife and their two-year-old daughter following the 2024 NFL season.
The report also explained that his injury absence in 2023 had allowed him to spend additional time with his young child.
Who Is L.J. Collier’s Daughter?
L.J. Collier has one publicly confirmed daughter whose name has not been established through authoritative reporting.
ESPN reported that she was two years old in March 2025, suggesting that she was born approximately in 2022 or early 2023.
However, the report did not specify her birthday or full name.
Collier has also not made a widely documented public announcement identifying additional children.
Therefore, the most accurate statement is that he has at least one daughter, while the exact total number of children remains unverified.
How Fatherhood Influenced L.J. Collier’s Recovery
Fatherhood became especially meaningful during Collier’s injury recovery in 2023.
After suffering a season-ending biceps injury in his first game with the Cardinals, he spent considerable time away from football competition.
Although the injury was professionally frustrating, ESPN reported that the period allowed him to spend more time with his young daughter.
He subsequently returned to regular playing time during the 2024 season.
Following that campaign, Collier traveled to Japan with his family, combining his interest in Japanese culture with time away from football.
L.J. Collier’s Parents: Meet Lawrence and Ruby Collier
L.J. Collier’s parents are Lawrence Collier and the late Ruby Collier.
Both were important influences during his childhood in Munday, Texas.
His father helped establish his interest in football, while his mother provided emotional encouragement and attended his games.
Collier has discussed both parents in firsthand interviews with TCU Athletics, the Seattle Seahawks and other sports publications.
L.J. Collier’s Father: Lawrence Collier
Lawrence Collier is L.J. Collier’s father and a former high school athlete from Munday, Texas.
According to an April 2019 profile published by Press Box DFW, Lawrence was a prominent athlete in the Munday community.
He participated in football and track and field during high school.
The publication reported that Lawrence established a school record in the 100-meter dash in 1981.
His athletic achievements contributed to the Collier family’s reputation in the town.
How Lawrence Collier Influenced His Son’s Football Career
Lawrence encouraged his son to begin playing football at an early age.
During an October 2018 interview with TCU Athletics, Collier explained that he started playing football in second grade because he wanted to follow his father’s example.
As L.J. progressed through high school, Lawrence continued believing in his athletic potential.
That encouragement was particularly important because Collier received relatively little attention from major college football programs.
Despite becoming an accomplished high school player, he initially struggled to secure a Division I scholarship.
His father continued telling him that he possessed the ability to compete at the highest collegiate level.
Collier publicly credited Lawrence with helping him remain motivated during the recruiting process.
After TCU offered him a scholarship, he eventually developed into an All-Big 12 defensive lineman.
Lawrence Collier’s Support After Ruby’s Death
Lawrence also supported his son following the death of Ruby Collier.
The family experienced significant emotional difficulties while L.J. was attending TCU.
According to Press Box DFW, Lawrence remained an important source of encouragement alongside former teacher Christel Shahan.
Both helped Collier remain focused on his education and football career.
His father’s support became particularly meaningful as he prepared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
L.J. Collier’s Mother: Ruby Collier
Ruby Collier was L.J. Collier’s mother.
She died from pancreatic cancer while he was attending TCU.
Her death has been documented extensively by the Seattle Seahawks, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and other established publications.
According to a Seahawks article published on October 18, 2019, Ruby was a caring mother who maintained a close relationship with her children and grandchildren.
She attended her son’s football games and encouraged him throughout his athletic development.
Even while receiving cancer treatment, Ruby remained concerned about L.J.’s adjustment to college football.
Collier later explained that his mother was an especially important source of emotional support during the early stages of his college career.
What Happened to L.J. Collier’s Mother?
Ruby Collier died from pancreatic cancer during L.J. Collier’s early years at TCU.
Several reports place her death around his freshman period, although the available sources do not consistently establish an exact date.
The loss was extremely difficult for Collier, who was still adjusting to college life in Fort Worth.
In interviews after the 2019 NFL Draft, he described his mother as his greatest supporter.
Her death became an important motivation throughout the remainder of his college career.
Collier continued pursuing football partly because he wanted to honor her memory.
How L.J. Collier Honors His Late Mother
Collier has repeatedly discussed his mother’s influence in interviews.
In October 2019, the Seattle Seahawks featured him during the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign, which raises awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.
The campaign carried special meaning because of Ruby’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Collier used the opportunity to encourage greater awareness of the disease and support for cancer research.
He subsequently participated in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.
In December 2020, the Seahawks reported that he represented the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network through custom football cleats.
His involvement allowed him to honor his mother while drawing attention to a disease that had deeply affected his family.
L.J. Collier’s Siblings: Meet His Three Older Sisters
L.J. Collier has three older sisters.
The Seattle Seahawks officially confirmed this detail in an October 2019 family profile.
Collier is the youngest of four children.
His sisters also experienced the loss of their mother, Ruby, and have remained connected through shared memories of her life.
Missy: L.J. Collier’s Older Sister
Missy is one of L.J. Collier’s three older sisters.
He identified her by name during an October 2019 interview with Seahawks reporter John Boyle.
During the conversation, Collier recalled laughing with Missy about their mother’s humorous habits and family memories.
The account demonstrated how the siblings continued remembering Ruby after her death.
However, the Seahawks article did not identify Missy’s full legal name, occupation or other personal details.
L.J. Collier’s Other Two Sisters
In addition to Missy, Collier has two other older sisters.
Their existence is confirmed by the Seahawks’ description of the family’s four children.
However, authoritative public reporting does not consistently identify their names.
Assigning names or occupations to these sisters without reliable documentation would therefore be inaccurate.
As of now, Missy is the only sister publicly identified by name in the major firsthand interview reviewed for this article.
Does L.J. Collier Have a Brother?
The Seahawks’ family reporting identifies Collier as having three older sisters and does not mention a brother.
That is consistent with a family structure consisting of L.J. and his three sisters.
As of now, no biological brother has been independently confirmed through authoritative reporting.
L.J. Collier’s Uncles: Perry and Terry Collier
L.J. Collier’s uncles Perry and Terry Collier were also accomplished football players.
According to Press Box DFW, the brothers were widely known in Munday as the Collier Twins.
Both went on to play college football at the University of Oklahoma.
The family’s football background helped create an environment in which L.J. wanted to follow earlier generations into competitive athletics.
His father and uncles were already well known in the local sports community before he became a college football prospect.
Christel Shahan: The Teacher Who Became a Mother Figure
Another important person in L.J. Collier’s family story is Christel Shahan, his former high school teacher.
Shahan met Collier during his freshman year at Munday High School.
Over time, she became a trusted mentor who encouraged him academically and personally.
After Ruby Collier’s death, Shahan assumed an especially important supportive role.
In April 2019, Press Box DFW reported that Christel and her husband, Kevin Shahan, considered Collier part of their extended family.
Christel remained in regular contact with Collier throughout his time at TCU.
She also attended football events and helped him remain focused on his education.
Importantly, Shahan was not identified as his biological mother. She was a former teacher and mentor who became a mother figure after Ruby’s death.
L.J. Collier’s Childhood and Family Background
Collier grew up in Munday, Texas, a small community with fewer than 2,000 residents.
His family had a strong football tradition, and he began playing the sport in elementary school.
At Munday High School, Collier became a versatile athlete capable of contributing on offense and defense.
During the 2012 season, he helped the Munday Moguls win the Texas Class 1A Division II state championship.
He earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors in the championship game after returning an interception for a touchdown.
As a senior, he was named District 8-A Defensive Most Valuable Player.
Despite his success, major college recruiting opportunities were limited.
His father continued encouraging him, and Collier ultimately accepted the opportunity to play at TCU.
L.J. Collier’s College Football Career at TCU
Collier joined Texas Christian University in 2014.
He redshirted during his first season while adjusting to the physical and academic requirements of college football.
He gradually earned more playing time and developed into an important defensive contributor.
In 2016, he recorded 4.5 sacks and blocked a field-goal attempt against Georgia in the Liberty Bowl.
During the 2017 season, he appeared in all 14 games and contributed to TCU’s victory over Stanford in the Alamo Bowl.
His breakthrough came in 2018, when he became a full-time starter.
Collier recorded six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition from the conference’s coaches.
He also completed his degree at TCU, fulfilling an important goal his mother had encouraged him to achieve.
L.J. Collier’s NFL Career
Seattle Seahawks Select L.J. Collier in the 2019 NFL Draft
The Seattle Seahawks selected Collier in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick.
The achievement represented a major milestone for an athlete who had received limited recruiting attention during high school.
Collier appeared in 11 games as a rookie before becoming a regular starter in 2020.
That season, he started all 16 games and recorded three sacks.
He remained with Seattle through the 2022 campaign.
L.J. Collier Joins the Arizona Cardinals
Collier signed with the Arizona Cardinals in March 2023.
However, a biceps injury during his first game ended his season.
He returned in 2024 and enjoyed his strongest NFL campaign.
Collier appeared in all 17 games, starting 15, and recorded 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
His performance represented an important personal comeback after a difficult injury recovery.
During a March 2025 interview with ESPN, he credited his wife, family and other trusted supporters with helping him regain his confidence.
L.J. Collier’s 2025 and 2026 Seasons
In March 2025, Collier re-signed with Arizona.
His season was affected by a knee injury, limiting him to four appearances.
On March 9, 2026, the Cardinals agreed to another one-year contract with him.
By October 2026, he had appeared in six regular-season games for Arizona.
As of now, Collier remains a defensive lineman for the Cardinals, wearing jersey number 91.
L.J. Collier’s Recognition Beyond the NFL
Collier’s achievements have also brought recognition to his hometown.
In April 2026, he was inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame in Texas.
The ceremony recognized his high school achievements, college football career at TCU and accomplishments in the NFL.
His induction celebrated a journey that began in a small Texas town and eventually led to a first-round NFL Draft selection.
The recognition also reflected the influence of his family, former coaches and hometown supporters.
Frequently Asked Questions About L.J. Collier’s Family
Who is L.J. Collier’s wife?
L.J. Collier’s wife is Samantha Collier, formerly Samantha Lane. ESPN confirmed their marriage in March 2025.
Is L.J. Collier married?
Yes. L.J. Collier is married to Samantha. Their wedding website lists June 28, 2023, in Wailea-Makena, Hawaii.
Does L.J. Collier have children?
Yes. L.J. Collier has at least one daughter, who was identified as two years old in an ESPN article published in March 2025.
What is L.J. Collier’s daughter’s name?
His daughter’s name has not been established through authoritative public reporting.
Who is L.J. Collier’s father?
His father is Lawrence Collier, a former high school athlete who encouraged him to pursue college football.
Who is L.J. Collier’s mother?
His mother was Ruby Collier, who died from pancreatic cancer during his college years at TCU.
How did L.J. Collier’s mother die?
Ruby Collier died from pancreatic cancer, according to the Seattle Seahawks’ official reporting.
How many siblings does L.J. Collier have?
L.J. Collier has three older sisters, according to the Seattle Seahawks.
Who is L.J. Collier’s sister Missy?
Missy is one of his three older sisters. Collier mentioned her during an October 2019 interview while remembering their late mother.
Does L.J. Collier have a brother?
No biological brother has been publicly confirmed. Established reporting identifies three older sisters.
Who is Christel Shahan?
Christel Shahan is Collier’s former high school teacher and longtime mentor who became a mother figure after Ruby Collier’s death.
What is L.J. Collier’s real name?
His full name is Lawrence Edward Collier Jr.
When was L.J. Collier born?
He was born on September 12, 1995.
Where is L.J. Collier from?
L.J. Collier is from Munday, Texas, where he attended Munday High School.
What NFL team does L.J. Collier play for?
As of now, L.J. Collier plays defensive line for the Arizona Cardinals. He joined the team in 2023.
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.
