Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Blake Whiteheart is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns whose family has played an important role in his journey to the NFL. Born on March 22, 2000, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Whiteheart grew up in a supportive household where education, personal development and athletics were encouraged. His journey from Mount Tabor High School to Wake Forest University and professional football reflects the values he learned from his parents.
Blake Whiteheart’s family includes his wife, Sofia Rossi Whiteheart, his father, Michael Whiteheart, his mother, Tina Whiteheart, his brother, Joshua Whiteheart, and his sister, Olivia Whiteheart. His wife is also a former college athlete who played soccer at Wake Forest University. Here is everything known about Blake Whiteheart’s wife, children, parents and siblings.
Blake Whiteheart’s Wife: Who Is Sofia Rossi Whiteheart?
Blake Whiteheart is married to Sofia Rossi Whiteheart, a former college soccer player who represented Wake Forest University. The couple met during their college years and developed a relationship that continued as Whiteheart pursued his professional football career.
Sofia Rossi was born on May 4, 1999, and grew up in Akron, Ohio. She attended Walsh Jesuit High School, where she became one of Ohio’s most accomplished young soccer players.
Her performances earned her numerous individual awards, including Ohio’s Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year recognition for the 2016-17 season.
Sofia subsequently enrolled at Wake Forest University, where she joined the Demon Deacons women’s soccer program.
During her college career, she competed as a forward and midfielder, developing a reputation for her technical abilities, versatility and goal-scoring contributions.
She studied health and exercise science while continuing her athletic career.
Whiteheart was also attending Wake Forest during this period, playing tight end for the university’s American football team.
Both athletes shared an understanding of the responsibilities associated with competing at the NCAA Division I level, including training schedules, academic commitments and traveling for competitions.
When Did Blake Whiteheart and Sofia Rossi Get Engaged?
Blake Whiteheart proposed to Sofia Rossi in April 2023, shortly before beginning his professional football career.
According to a Sports Illustrated Lifestyle feature about Cleveland Browns players and their partners, the couple publicly celebrated their engagement through social media.
The proposal occurred during an important period for Whiteheart, who was preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft after completing his college football career.
Although he was not selected during the draft, he subsequently signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent.
Sofia continued supporting him as he adjusted to the demands of professional football.
When Did Blake Whiteheart Marry Sofia Rossi?
Blake Whiteheart and Sofia Rossi married in March 2024, approximately eleven months after announcing their engagement.
Their wedding marked an important milestone in a relationship that had developed during their years at Wake Forest.
Sofia subsequently became known publicly as Sofia Rossi Whiteheart.
In a July 2025 interview with Dawgs By Nature, Whiteheart confirmed that he was married and discussed everyday life with his wife in Northeast Ohio.
He explained that Sofia had introduced him to different foods and encouraged him to become more adventurous with his restaurant choices.
Whiteheart mentioned that the couple enjoyed visiting restaurants around Cleveland, particularly establishments serving sushi and steak.
He also described their preference for preparing meals at home and spending time together outside his demanding football schedule.
As of now, Sofia Rossi Whiteheart is Blake Whiteheart’s wife, rather than his girlfriend or fiancée.
Sofia Rossi’s College Soccer Career
Before marrying Blake Whiteheart, Sofia Rossi established an impressive athletic career of her own.
At Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio, she helped her team win four state championships.
She earned multiple individual honors, including Ohio Division I Player of the Year recognition and NSCAA All-American selections in 2015 and 2016.
Her performances attracted interest from major college soccer programs, and she eventually chose Wake Forest University.
During her freshman season in 2017, Rossi appeared in 12 matches and recorded three goals and one assist before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
She missed the 2018 season while recovering but returned to competition in 2019.
During the 2020-21 campaign, Rossi started 12 matches and contributed two goals and one assist.
She also played an important role during the 2021 season, scoring eight goals across her college career according to Wake Forest’s senior recognition feature.
Her background as a college athlete has provided a shared connection with her husband, who also experienced the challenges of balancing university education and competitive sports.
Blake Whiteheart’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, Blake Whiteheart has no publicly confirmed children.
In July 2025, Dawgs By Nature reported that Whiteheart and his wife, Sofia, did not have children.
There has been no widely verified subsequent announcement confirming that the couple has welcomed a son or daughter.
Although Blake has discussed his marriage and family relationships in interviews, he has not publicly announced becoming a father.
His official Cleveland Browns biography also does not identify him as having children.
Consequently, there is insufficient reliable information to confirm that Whiteheart and Sofia have become parents.
Any future developments regarding children would require confirmation from the couple or reliable public reporting.
Blake Whiteheart’s Parents: Meet Michael and Tina Whiteheart
Blake Whiteheart was born to Michael Whiteheart and Tina Whiteheart, who raised him in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Both parents are identified in his official Wake Forest University football biography.
Whiteheart has spoken positively about their influence, particularly their emphasis on education and allowing their children to discover their own interests.
Unlike families that strongly pressure children to pursue competitive sports, Michael and Tina encouraged Blake to enjoy athletics without making professional success the primary objective.
Blake Whiteheart’s Father: Michael Whiteheart
Michael Whiteheart is Blake Whiteheart’s father and an important influence on his childhood.
Although detailed information about Michael’s professional career remains private, Blake has discussed his father’s involvement in his early sporting experiences.
In a July 2025 interview with Dawgs By Nature, Whiteheart recalled developing an enthusiasm for motocross when he was young.
He explained that his family gave him a Honda 50 dirt bike when he was approximately four years old.
His father subsequently built a motocross track in their backyard, allowing Blake to spend time riding and practicing.
The experience became one of his favorite childhood activities.
Before concentrating on football, Whiteheart believed that motocross or lacrosse might become his primary sporting interest.
Michael supported these interests rather than insisting that his son specialize in one sport.
That freedom allowed Blake to explore different activities before recognizing his potential as a football player.
How Michael Whiteheart Supported His Son’s Education
Michael Whiteheart also played an important role in Blake’s decision to attend Wake Forest University.
When college football programs began recruiting him, Whiteheart considered both athletic opportunities and the quality of education available.
During his Dawgs By Nature interview, he explained that neither of his parents had attended college.
As a result, they recognized the importance of their son obtaining a university degree.
Wake Forest was particularly attractive because it offered a respected academic program while allowing Blake to remain close to home.
His parents encouraged him to recognize the value of receiving a college education regardless of whether he eventually reached the NFL.
Whiteheart ultimately committed to Wake Forest in March 2017, on his 17th birthday.
The decision reflected both his developing football ambitions and his family’s educational priorities.
Blake Whiteheart’s Mother: Tina Whiteheart
Tina Whiteheart is Blake Whiteheart’s mother and another important figure in his upbringing.
She raised Blake alongside his siblings, Joshua and Olivia, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Although Tina has generally maintained a private professional life, her identity is confirmed through Wake Forest athletics records and publicly available family documentation.
Like her husband, Tina encouraged Blake to participate in athletics while also focusing on his education.
During childhood, Whiteheart competed in football, lacrosse and motocross.
His parents allowed him to explore these interests without demanding that he pursue professional athletics.
Whiteheart later explained that he did not seriously consider the possibility of playing college football until his junior year of high school.
Before that point, he primarily participated in sports because he enjoyed the competition and spending time with teammates.
When college scholarship opportunities emerged, Tina and Michael encouraged him to prioritize both athletic development and academic achievement.
Their guidance helped him choose Wake Forest, where he could remain near family while pursuing a degree.
Blake Whiteheart’s Siblings: Meet Joshua and Olivia Whiteheart
Blake Whiteheart has two siblings: a brother named Joshua Whiteheart and a sister named Olivia Whiteheart.
Their names appear in a family obituary published by the Daily Press in June 2012 for Betty Jo Balsamo, Blake’s maternal grandmother.
Although Blake became publicly known through college and professional football, his siblings have generally maintained more private lives.
Joshua Whiteheart: Blake Whiteheart’s Brother
Joshua Whiteheart, also known as Josh Whiteheart, is Blake Whiteheart’s brother.
He is identified alongside Olivia and Blake in publicly available family records.
Joshua grew up as part of the Whiteheart family in North Carolina, where Blake later developed into a successful high school athlete.
However, there is limited reliable public information about Joshua’s education, occupation or involvement in competitive sports.
Unlike Blake, who became an NFL tight end, Joshua has not been extensively featured in major sports publications.
His personal life remains largely private, and claims about his career or relationships cannot be established with certainty from the available sources.
Olivia Whiteheart: Blake Whiteheart’s Sister
Olivia Whiteheart is Blake Whiteheart’s sister and another publicly identified member of his immediate family.
Her relationship to Blake is supported by family records and by Whiteheart’s own comments in a July 2025 interview.
During that interview, Blake revealed that his sister attended North Carolina State University, commonly known as NC State.
He mentioned her educational background while discussing his college football recruitment.
Whiteheart explained that NC State had not shown significant recruiting interest in him, despite his sister’s connection to the university.
He eventually selected Wake Forest, where he could pursue a strong education while competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Although Olivia’s attendance at NC State has been publicly confirmed through Blake’s comments, further details about her professional career and personal relationships remain private.
Blake Whiteheart’s Childhood and Family Life in North Carolina
Blake Whiteheart was born on March 22, 2000, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
He grew up near Wake Forest University, an institution that would eventually become central to his football career.
During childhood, Whiteheart developed interests in several outdoor activities, particularly hunting, fishing, motocross and lacrosse.
He has described himself as someone who enjoyed spending time outdoors rather than constantly watching professional sports.
Although he occasionally followed the Carolina Panthers, he did not grow up studying NFL players or dreaming exclusively about professional football.
His strongest early sporting interest was lacrosse.
Whiteheart began playing the sport in fifth grade and participated in travel competitions throughout middle school.
He enjoyed the speed, freedom and physical demands of lacrosse and initially believed it could provide an opportunity to compete at the college level.
However, his height and athletic development eventually attracted attention from football coaches.
At Mount Tabor High School, he began recognizing that football could offer opportunities at major universities.
How Blake Whiteheart’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Blake Whiteheart attended Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, where he became a talented football player and lacrosse athlete.
During his high school football career, he earned All-Forsyth County recognition four times and developed into one of North Carolina’s notable tight end prospects.
As a senior, he recorded 24 receptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns.
His performances helped Mount Tabor reach the third round of the North Carolina Class 3-AA state playoffs.
Whiteheart also earned academic recognition and was a member of the National Honor Society.
He received recruiting interest from several universities before committing to Wake Forest.
The decision was influenced by his parents’ encouragement and the opportunity to remain close to home.
Whiteheart enrolled early at Wake Forest in 2018 and began developing his abilities as a tight end.
After redshirting during his first season, he gradually became an important member of the Demon Deacons offense.
During the 2021 season, he caught 15 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
His best college season came in 2022, when he recorded 24 receptions for 295 yards and three touchdowns.
He also earned recognition on the All-ACC Academic Team, reflecting his commitment to education alongside athletics.
Whiteheart eventually completed his college football career with 44 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns.
His academic studies included communications and entrepreneurship, two areas that reflected his interest in building opportunities beyond football.
Blake Whiteheart’s NFL Journey With the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns
After completing his college football career, Blake Whiteheart entered the 2023 NFL Draft.
Although he was not selected, the Arizona Cardinals signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2023.
He competed during training camp and eventually earned an opportunity on Arizona’s roster.
Whiteheart appeared in two regular-season games during his rookie NFL campaign.
After spending another offseason with the Cardinals, he was released during the team’s final roster reductions in August 2024.
The Cleveland Browns subsequently signed him to their practice squad.
Whiteheart moved between the practice squad and active roster before establishing himself as a contributing member of Cleveland’s offense.
On September 29, 2024, he caught his first NFL touchdown pass during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He finished the 2024 season with six receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown.
During the 2025 season, Whiteheart appeared in all 17 regular-season games, contributing as a blocker, receiver and special teams player.
On March 23, 2026, the Cleveland Browns announced that they had re-signed him.
His role continued in 2026, including a 17-yard touchdown reception during Cleveland’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 20.
The play helped the Browns secure a 23-19 win.
Throughout his professional career, Whiteheart has emphasized the importance of remaining versatile and contributing wherever his coaches need him.
Blake Whiteheart’s Marriage, Faith and Life Outside Football
Blake Whiteheart’s personal life includes a strong connection to his wife, Sofia, and their shared experiences as former Wake Forest athletes.
In his July 2025 interview with Dawgs By Nature, Whiteheart discussed the importance of his Christian faith when making professional decisions.
He explained that prayer influenced his thinking when evaluating opportunities after going undrafted in 2023.
Faith has remained part of his approach to football and personal responsibility.
Outside professional sports, Whiteheart enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking and spending time outdoors.
He has also developed an interest in preparing smoked meats and exploring restaurants with his wife.
These interests reflect the outdoor-oriented lifestyle he enjoyed while growing up in North Carolina.
Although football requires considerable time away from home, Whiteheart has described spending time with Sofia as an enjoyable part of his everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blake Whiteheart’s Family
Who is Blake Whiteheart’s wife?
Blake Whiteheart’s wife is Sofia Rossi Whiteheart, a former Wake Forest University women’s soccer player. The couple married in March 2024.
Is Blake Whiteheart married?
Yes. Blake Whiteheart married his college sweetheart, Sofia Rossi, in March 2024 after becoming engaged in April 2023.
Who was Blake Whiteheart’s girlfriend?
Blake Whiteheart previously dated Sofia Rossi, whom he met during their years at Wake Forest University. She is now his wife.
Does Blake Whiteheart have any children?
As of now, Blake Whiteheart has no publicly confirmed children. In July 2025, reporting confirmed that he and his wife did not have children, and no subsequent birth announcement has been reliably verified.
Who is Blake Whiteheart’s father?
His father is Michael Whiteheart, who helped raise Blake in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and supported his early sporting interests.
Who is Blake Whiteheart’s mother?
His mother is Tina Whiteheart, who encouraged her son’s academic and athletic development alongside his father.
How many siblings does Blake Whiteheart have?
Blake Whiteheart has two publicly identified siblings: his brother Joshua Whiteheart and his sister Olivia Whiteheart.
Who is Blake Whiteheart’s brother?
Joshua Whiteheart, also known as Josh, is Blake Whiteheart’s brother. He generally maintains a private life.
Who is Blake Whiteheart’s sister?
Olivia Whiteheart is Blake Whiteheart’s sister. Blake confirmed in a 2025 interview that she attended North Carolina State University.
Where was Blake Whiteheart born?
Blake Whiteheart was born on March 22, 2000, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Which college did Blake Whiteheart attend?
Blake Whiteheart attended Wake Forest University, where he played football from 2018 through 2022 and studied communications and entrepreneurship.
Did Blake Whiteheart play lacrosse?
Yes. Whiteheart played lacrosse throughout his childhood and earned multiple all-conference honors at Mount Tabor High School.
Which NFL team does Blake Whiteheart play for?
As of now, Blake Whiteheart plays for the Cleveland Browns, who re-signed him in March 2026.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
