Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Shemar James is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 24, 2004, in Mobile, Alabama, he developed into a professional football player after an impressive college career at the University of Florida.
Beyond football, James is a husband and father whose family has played an important role in his personal and professional development.
Shemar James’ family includes his wife, Erica Lewis James, their son, Shemar James Jr., his mother, Alisa Orange, and at least one brother. His mother raised him in Alabama and encouraged him to pursue his football ambitions.
In October 2026, James became a father for the first time following an unforgettable NFL game against the Houston Texans. His son’s arrival attracted national attention after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones helped him return home in time for the delivery.
Here is everything publicly known about Shemar James’ wife, children, parents and siblings.
Shemar James’ Wife: Who Is Erica Lewis James?
Shemar James is married to Erica Lewis James, a fashion entrepreneur and the mother of his first child.
Erica, who has also used the name Erica Ladecia publicly, became known among Dallas Cowboys fans for her relationship with the young linebacker and her creative game-day outfits.
According to People magazine, Erica began publicly sharing her relationship with Shemar on Instagram in March 2025.
She subsequently appeared in photographs with James during his transition from college football to the NFL.
In October 2025, People included the couple in its feature about the wives and girlfriends of Dallas Cowboys players.
The publication initially identified Erica as James’ girlfriend. However, by October 2026, the couple were publicly identified as husband and wife.
During interviews following the birth of their son, James repeatedly referred to Erica as his wife and expressed his gratitude for her support.
When Did Shemar James and Erica Lewis Get Married?
Although Shemar James and Erica Lewis are publicly confirmed as married, their exact wedding date has not been independently established through reliable reporting.
People magazine described them as a couple in October 2025 and subsequently identified Erica as James’ wife in its October 7, 2026, coverage.
James also personally confirmed their marriage while discussing the birth of their first child.
As of now, Erica Lewis James is Shemar James’ publicly confirmed wife, although details about their wedding ceremony and location remain limited.
What Does Erica Lewis James Do for a Living?
Erica Lewis James is a fashion entrepreneur associated with Ladecia’s Creations, a business specializing in customized clothing and creative apparel.
According to People magazine, she enjoys designing her own outfits for Dallas Cowboys games and selling her creations through her business.
Her designs have helped her establish a personal identity outside her husband’s football career.
Erica has also used social media to share photographs of her clothing, football-related appearances and personal milestones.
In addition to supporting Shemar’s professional ambitions, she has continued pursuing her interests in fashion and entrepreneurship.
How Did Shemar James Meet Erica Lewis?
Shemar James and Erica Lewis were publicly linked by early 2025, but the exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been reliably established.
People magazine reported that Erica began posting photographs featuring the couple in March 2025.
At the time, James was preparing to enter the NFL after completing his college football career with the Florida Gators.
The relationship continued as he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025 and began his professional career.
Although the couple have shared photographs and important family milestones, they have not extensively discussed the beginning of their relationship in established media interviews.
Shemar James’ Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Shemar James has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Shemar James Jr.
He and Erica welcomed their first child on October 4, 2026, following the Dallas Cowboys’ regular-season game against the Houston Texans.
The birth became one of the most widely discussed personal stories involving a Cowboys player during the early weeks of the 2026 NFL season.
Shemar James Jr. – Shemar James’ First Son
Shemar James Jr. was born on Sunday, October 4, 2026, becoming the first child of Shemar James and Erica Lewis James.
The newborn weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces, according to an October 7 report published by People magazine.
His arrival came during an eventful day for his father, who was playing for the Cowboys in Houston when Erica went into labor.
James learned during halftime that his wife was preparing to give birth.
Although he was understandably anxious to return home, Erica encouraged him to finish the game.
He continued playing and helped Dallas secure a 34-30 victory over the Texans.
After the game, the Cowboys organization arranged for James to travel back to Dallas as quickly as possible.
He subsequently arrived at the hospital in time to witness his son’s birth.
James confirmed that Erica and their newborn were healthy and expressed tremendous happiness about becoming a father.
How Jerry Jones Helped Shemar James Attend His Son’s Birth
The birth of Shemar James Jr. became a major sports news story because of the unusual assistance provided by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Following the Cowboys’ victory over Houston on October 4, 2026, head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed that James’ wife had gone into labor.
Rather than having James wait for the team’s regular flight, Jerry Jones invited him to travel back to Dallas aboard the Jones family’s private aircraft.
Transportation was arranged to collect him after landing and take him directly to the hospital.
James later explained that he was extremely grateful for the support from Jones, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys’ security staff.
He praised the organization for recognizing that family responsibilities were just as important as professional football.
The arrangements allowed him to reach Erica before the birth of their son.
His wife subsequently thanked the Cowboys organization on social media for helping her husband attend the delivery.
The experience was particularly meaningful because James had become concerned about the possibility of missing the birth while traveling with the team.
Just one week earlier, Dallas had played an international game against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The couple had hoped their child would not arrive while James was outside the United States.
Fortunately, their son’s birth occurred after the team returned from Brazil.
What Has Shemar James Said About Becoming a Father?
Shemar James expressed his excitement about fatherhood during an October 2026 interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
He explained that witnessing the birth of his son was an unforgettable experience.
James also praised Erica for her strength during childbirth and said that both mother and baby were healthy.
The Cowboys linebacker described feeling grateful to begin a new chapter as a husband and father.
His comments reflected the importance he places on family relationships, a value he had previously discussed while speaking about his mother and childhood.
As of now, Shemar James Jr. is the couple’s only publicly confirmed child.
Shemar James’ Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Shemar James’ mother is Alisa Orange, who raised him in Mobile, Alabama.
James has publicly discussed the sacrifices his mother made while raising her children and has repeatedly identified her as one of the most important influences on his football career.
Although his mother has been identified in established recruiting coverage, reliable public information about his biological father remains limited.
Shemar James’ Mother: Alisa Orange
Alisa Orange is Shemar James’ mother and one of the most influential people in his life.
She raised Shemar in Mobile, Alabama, while managing the responsibilities associated with being a single parent.
In an October 2021 interview with DawgNation, James identified his mother as his primary motivation for pursuing a professional football career.
He explained that watching her work to support the household made him determined to create better financial opportunities for their family.
At the time, James was one of the most highly recruited high school linebackers in the United States.
Despite receiving considerable attention from major college football programs, he remained focused on achieving a goal that extended beyond personal athletic success.
He wanted to use football to support his mother and eventually improve her quality of life.
How Alisa Orange Influenced Her Son’s Football Career
During his teenage years, James attended Faith Academy in Mobile, where he became an outstanding football player.
His mother encouraged his athletic development while maintaining expectations regarding education, faith and personal responsibility.
In the DawgNation interview, James explained that providing for his mother was an important long-term ambition.
He also described his desire to succeed academically and make responsible decisions during the college recruitment process.
His mother’s influence remained evident after he joined the University of Florida.
During the 2024 SEC Media Days, James spoke about how growing up with his mother and siblings had shaped his personality.
He credited her with teaching him perseverance and demonstrating what it meant to remain strong during difficult circumstances.
Those lessons became important as James faced the physical and mental demands of playing college football in the Southeastern Conference.
How Shemar James’ Mother Celebrated His NFL Draft Selection
One of the most memorable family moments in Shemar James’ career occurred during the 2025 NFL Draft.
On April 26, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round.
James and his family were especially excited because they had supported the Cowboys for many years.
During a May 2025 interview published by the Cowboys’ official website, James recalled how his mother reacted when Dallas traded up during the draft.
Alisa noticed the trade announcement and excitedly alerted the family.
Moments later, Shemar received confirmation that the Cowboys had selected him.
For James, the occasion represented the fulfillment of a childhood dream shared by several generations of his family.
His mother’s excitement made the moment particularly meaningful.
Shemar James’ Father: What Is Known About Him?
Reliable public information about Shemar James’ biological father is limited.
Established coverage of his upbringing has primarily focused on his mother, Alisa Orange, and the family environment in which he grew up.
In his October 2021 DawgNation interview, James described his mother as a single parent.
However, that information does not establish his father’s identity, occupation or current circumstances.
His official University of Florida and Dallas Cowboys biographies do not provide sufficient information to independently identify his biological father.
As of now, his father’s full name and personal background remain publicly unconfirmed.
Shemar James’ Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Shemar James has at least one publicly confirmed brother. He has also referred to growing up with siblings, although their complete number and names have not been consistently documented.
His brother was mentioned during an interview published by the Dallas Cowboys on May 2, 2025.
The interview offered an interesting glimpse into the family’s longstanding relationship with the Cowboys.
Shemar James’ Brother: What Is Known About Him?
James mentioned his brother while discussing how his family became supporters of the Dallas Cowboys.
According to the player, his brother remembered how their late uncle encouraged him to watch Cowboys games during childhood.
The uncle was a passionate Dallas supporter who regularly gathered younger family members in front of the television to watch football.
That tradition eventually spread throughout the family, helping establish a connection to the Cowboys that continued into Shemar’s childhood.
When James was selected by Dallas in 2025, his brother reminded him about the uncle who had helped begin the family tradition.
The story was particularly meaningful because James had grown up dreaming of playing for the franchise.
Although he publicly confirmed having a brother, he did not identify him by name during the interview.
Reliable sources also provide limited information about his brother’s occupation, age and personal life.
Does Shemar James Have Any Sisters?
During the 2024 SEC Media Days, Shemar James mentioned growing up with his mother and siblings.
However, he did not provide a complete breakdown of how many brothers or sisters he has.
His official football biographies also do not identify any sisters by name.
Therefore, the existence and identities of any sisters remain unverified through the reliable public sources reviewed.
As of now, at least one brother is confirmed, but the precise number of James’ siblings has not been independently established.
Shemar James’ Late Uncle and the Family’s Dallas Cowboys Tradition
One of the most interesting aspects of Shemar James’ family background is their longstanding support for the Dallas Cowboys.
James explained that his connection to the franchise began long before he became a professional football player.
During his May 2025 interview with DallasCowboys.com, he recalled learning from his brother that their late uncle had introduced the family to Cowboys football.
The uncle regularly encouraged younger relatives to watch games with him.
Over time, supporting Dallas became a family tradition.
James grew up watching the Cowboys and developed his own ambition to play for the franchise.
When Dallas selected him during the 2025 NFL Draft, that family tradition acquired an entirely new meaning.
He was no longer simply watching the Cowboys with relatives. He had become a member of the team.
Shemar James’ Childhood and Family Background
Shemar James was born on June 24, 2004, in Mobile, Alabama.
He attended Faith Academy, a Christian school where he developed into one of the state’s leading high school football prospects.
James participated in football, basketball and track and field, demonstrating impressive athletic ability across multiple sports.
On the football field, he played linebacker while also contributing on offense as a running back and receiver.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and Florida.
During the recruiting process, James openly discussed the importance of his mother, faith and long-term goals.
He ultimately chose the University of Florida, where he would continue his development as a defensive player.
How Shemar James’ Family Influenced His College Football Career
James joined the Florida Gators ahead of the 2022 season and quickly became a regular contributor.
During his freshman campaign, he appeared in 13 games and earned Freshman All-SEC recognition.
He continued developing during his sophomore season in 2023 before a knee injury interrupted his progress.
James returned for the 2024 season and became a team captain.
He started all 13 games, recording 64 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
His performances earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week recognition during November 2024.
James also received academic recognition, including selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Those achievements demonstrated his ability to balance athletic commitments with educational responsibilities.
Throughout college, he continued identifying the values taught by his mother as important influences on his determination.
Shemar James’ NFL Career With the Dallas Cowboys
Shemar James achieved his professional football ambitions when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dallas traded up to select the former Florida linebacker with the 152nd overall pick.
The selection was particularly meaningful because James and his family had been lifelong Cowboys supporters.
He joined the team’s defense wearing jersey number 50.
During his rookie season, James earned playing opportunities at linebacker and contributed on special teams.
He developed a reputation for his tackling ability, athleticism and understanding of defensive assignments.
In 2026, he continued contributing to the Cowboys’ defense as a second-year player.
His football career reached an important personal milestone in October when he became a father following the Cowboys’ victory over Houston.
Shemar James Gives Back to His Hometown
Despite becoming an NFL player, Shemar James has remained connected to Mobile, Alabama, and Faith Academy.
In June 2026, he returned to his former high school to organize his second annual youth football camp.
The event brought together young athletes from the local community and provided opportunities to learn football skills from an NFL player.
During an interview with WKRG, James discussed how meaningful it was to return to the place where his football ambitions began.
He explained that Faith Academy and the surrounding Mobile community had played important roles in his development.
His charitable involvement reflects his desire to create opportunities for younger athletes while honoring the people who supported him throughout childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shemar James’ Family
Who is Shemar James’ wife?
Shemar James’ wife is Erica Lewis James, a fashion entrepreneur associated with Ladecia’s Creations. The couple were publicly confirmed as married in October 2026.
Does Shemar James have a girlfriend?
Shemar James is married to Erica Lewis James, who was previously identified as his girlfriend in 2025.
When did Shemar James get married?
Shemar James and Erica Lewis are publicly confirmed as married, but their exact wedding date has not been reliably established.
How many children does Shemar James have?
Shemar James has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Shemar James Jr., born on October 4, 2026.
Who is Shemar James Jr.?
Shemar James Jr. is the first child of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James and his wife Erica. He was born following the Cowboys’ victory over the Houston Texans on October 4, 2026.
How did Shemar James get home for his son’s birth?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones arranged for James to travel home from Houston aboard his private plane following the October 4, 2026, game. The arrangement allowed him to reach the hospital in time for his son’s birth.
Who is Shemar James’ mother?
Shemar James’ mother is Alisa Orange, who raised him in Mobile, Alabama. He has publicly credited her with teaching him perseverance and motivating him to pursue professional football.
Who is Shemar James’ father?
Shemar James’ biological father’s full name has not been reliably confirmed through established public reporting.
Does Shemar James have any siblings?
Yes. Shemar James has at least one publicly confirmed brother. He has also mentioned growing up with siblings, although their complete number and names remain unverified.
Does Shemar James have a sister?
No sisters have been independently identified by name in the reliable public sources reviewed.
Where is Shemar James from?
Shemar James is from Mobile, Alabama, where he attended Faith Academy before playing college football at the University of Florida.
What college did Shemar James attend?
Shemar James attended the University of Florida and played for the Florida Gators from 2022 through 2024.
When did Shemar James join the Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys selected Shemar James with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
