Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Ben VanSumeren is an American football fullback and former linebacker who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 5, 2000, in Bay City, Michigan, he played college football at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University before beginning his professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
Beyond his football career, Ben comes from a family with strong connections to athletics, education and public service. His parents, Jeff VanSumeren and Cindy VanSumeren, encouraged his interest in sports from childhood, while his younger brother, Alex VanSumeren, followed a similar path into college football.
Although Ben’s parents and brother have been featured in college athletics biographies and interviews, the NFL player has kept much of his romantic life private. Here is everything publicly known about Ben VanSumeren’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Ben VanSumeren’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Ben VanSumeren has not publicly confirmed that he is dating anyone. The Kansas City Chiefs fullback has generally kept his romantic relationships away from public attention.
Despite gaining recognition during his college football career and subsequent time in the NFL, VanSumeren has not identified a girlfriend in widely available, reliable interviews or official player biographies.
His public appearances and interviews have primarily focused on his football career, physical preparation, professional achievements and family background.
Although some online biographies discuss his personal life, there is insufficient reliable evidence to identify a current romantic partner.
His relationship status should therefore be considered private rather than assuming that he is single.
Is Ben VanSumeren Married?
As of now, Ben VanSumeren has no publicly confirmed wife. He has not made a verified public marriage announcement, and reliable sources have not identified a spouse.
There is also no confirmed information about an engagement or wedding.
Ben VanSumeren’s Children
As of now, Ben VanSumeren has no publicly confirmed children.
The Kansas City Chiefs player has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and reliable reporting has not established that he is a father.
Most publicly documented information about his immediate family concerns his parents and younger brother.
While VanSumeren has spoken about his upbringing and the influence of his family on his athletic development, he has not publicly shared details identifying children of his own.
Ben VanSumeren’s Parents
Ben VanSumeren was born to Jeff VanSumeren and Cindy VanSumeren. Both parents helped shape his upbringing in the Bay City area of Michigan.
His father worked in law enforcement, while his mother pursued a career in education. Their professional backgrounds contributed to a household that emphasized discipline, education, personal responsibility and hard work.
According to an athlete profile published by the University of Southern California in September 2026, both parents had retired from careers as a police officer and an alternative high school principal.
Jeff VanSumeren – Father
Jeff VanSumeren is Ben VanSumeren’s father and a former law enforcement officer in Michigan.
Jeff played an important role in encouraging his sons to become physically active and develop a strong work ethic.
Ben and his younger brother Alex grew up participating in sports, often competing against each other in their backyard and driveway.
In a 2021 interview with MLive, Jeff explained that the boys were more interested in outdoor activities than playing video games.
He recalled buying them a video game system that remained unused for approximately a year because they preferred spending time outside.
Both children developed athletic abilities at an early age, participating in various sports before focusing on football.
Jeff encouraged competition while emphasizing the importance of earning opportunities through effort and discipline.
His sons eventually became successful high school football players at Garber High School in Essexville, Michigan.
Both received significant recognition for their achievements, including Golden Helmet Player of the Year honors from MLive.
Jeff continued supporting their athletic careers when Ben attended Michigan and Michigan State, while Alex also joined Michigan State’s football program.
According to USC Athletics, Jeff and Cindy have since retired from their professional careers.
Cindy VanSumeren – Mother
Cindy VanSumeren is Ben VanSumeren’s mother and a former educator who worked as an alternative high school principal.
She attended the University of Michigan, an institution that later became important in her older son’s football journey.
According to Ben’s official University of Michigan athletics biography, Cindy played an important role in encouraging his involvement in organized sports.
His family explained that Ben began participating in sports as a preschooler because he had considerable energy and enjoyed physical activities.
They believed that organized athletics offered a positive way for him to channel that energy.
Ben began playing tee-ball at approximately four years old, quickly demonstrating speed and good hand-eye coordination.
By the age of ten, he had developed a strong interest in tackle football.
His parents recalled that he became so enthusiastic about the sport that he even slept with a football.
As he grew older, Ben continued playing baseball and basketball while also participating in track and field.
However, football gradually became his primary athletic interest.
Cindy and Jeff encouraged their son’s ambitions while emphasizing the importance of education and personal responsibility.
When Ben earned an opportunity to play for the University of Michigan in 2018, it represented an important achievement for the family.
Cindy also supported the football development of her younger son, Alex.
One memorable family moment occurred during the 2022 college football season when Ben and Alex played together at Michigan State.
According to USC Athletics, the brothers combined for a tackle on Alex’s first collegiate defensive snap. Their mother later displayed a photograph of the moment in her home.
The photograph became a reminder of the brothers’ shared football experience.
Ben VanSumeren’s Siblings
Ben VanSumeren has one publicly documented sibling, his younger brother Alex VanSumeren.
Both brothers grew up in Michigan and attended Garber High School before continuing their football careers at major college programs.
They share the same parents, Jeff and Cindy VanSumeren.
Reliable public biographies do not identify any additional brothers or sisters.
Alex VanSumeren – Younger Brother
Alex VanSumeren is Ben VanSumeren’s younger brother and a college football defensive lineman.
Alex grew up in Bay City, Michigan, where he followed his older brother into competitive football.
Both brothers attended Garber High School in Essexville, developing reputations as accomplished athletes.
Alex became one of Michigan’s highly regarded defensive line prospects during his high school career.
As a senior in 2021, he recorded 48 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and 28 quarterback hurries.
His performances earned him first-team all-state recognition and attention from several major college football programs.
Alex initially committed to the University of Michigan before changing his decision and enrolling at Michigan State University.
That decision allowed him to reunite with Ben, who had transferred from Michigan to Michigan State in 2021.
The brothers were teammates during the 2022 season, when Ben played linebacker and Alex was beginning his college career as a defensive lineman.
Alex made his collegiate debut against Western Michigan and appeared in four games during his freshman season.
He missed the 2023 season because of an injury but returned to become a regular starter on Michigan State’s defensive line.
During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Alex started 24 consecutive games and developed into one of the Spartans’ experienced defensive players.
He recorded 52 tackles during the 2025 season and earned multiple Academic All-Big Ten honors throughout his college career.
After graduating from Michigan State with a degree in criminal justice, Alex continued his education and football career at the University of Southern California in 2026.
In a September 2026 interview with USC Athletics, Alex described Ben as someone he looked up to and credited his older brother with teaching him the importance of working hard toward his goals.
Their shared background in college football remains one of the most publicly documented aspects of the VanSumeren family’s story.
Ben VanSumeren’s Childhood and Family Background
Ben VanSumeren was born in Bay City, Michigan, and grew up in the surrounding area.
His childhood was strongly influenced by his parents’ approach to education, athletics and discipline.
Both Ben and his brother Alex were encouraged to remain physically active from an early age.
Ben played several sports, including baseball, basketball, track and football.
However, he developed a particular interest in football during elementary school and began pursuing the sport seriously.
He attended Garber High School in Essexville, where he became an exceptional multi-position football player.
During his high school career, Ben played wide receiver, running back, quarterback and defensive positions.
He finished with 176 receptions for 2,888 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns.
He also accumulated more than 1,000 rushing yards and received multiple individual honors.
During his senior season in 2017, he earned Associated Press Player of the Year recognition for Michigan’s Divisions 5–6.
His performances attracted interest from college football programs, eventually leading him to the University of Michigan.
How Ben VanSumeren’s Family Supported His Football Career
Ben VanSumeren’s parents supported his development from youth sports through college and into the NFL.
Jeff and Cindy encouraged him to pursue football while emphasizing personal responsibility, physical preparation and academic achievement.
Ben joined the University of Michigan football program in 2018, initially playing fullback.
He appeared in 15 games during three seasons with the Wolverines before transferring to Michigan State University in 2021.
At Michigan State, he transitioned into a more prominent defensive role as a linebacker.
During the 2022 season, Ben recorded 81 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups.
His college performances earned him an invitation to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, giving him another opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to NFL teams.
Although he was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
He initially contributed primarily on special teams before developing additional responsibilities as a fullback.
Ben was part of the Philadelphia Eagles organization when the team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February 2025.
In 2026, he spent part of the offseason with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in September.
The Chiefs subsequently used him as a fullback and special teams contributor.
His journey from an undrafted rookie to an NFL player reflects the persistence and dedication encouraged by his family throughout his childhood.
Ben VanSumeren’s Relationship With His Brother
Ben and Alex VanSumeren developed a strong relationship through sports and their shared upbringing in Michigan.
As children, they regularly competed against each other in outdoor activities and athletic challenges.
Those experiences contributed to their competitive personalities and interest in football.
Both became standout players at Garber High School before continuing their careers at Michigan State.
The opportunity to play together during the 2022 college football season was especially meaningful for the family.
Alex has publicly acknowledged Ben’s influence on his development, describing his older brother as a role model.
In his USC Athletics interview, Alex explained that watching Ben work toward his goals taught him valuable lessons about dedication.
The brothers’ football careers have taken them to different teams, but their shared sporting background remains an important part of their family connection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ben VanSumeren’s Family
Who is Ben VanSumeren’s girlfriend?
As of now, Ben VanSumeren has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Ben VanSumeren married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed for Ben VanSumeren, and reliable sources have not identified a wife.
Does Ben VanSumeren have children?
As of now, Ben VanSumeren has no publicly confirmed children. He has not announced having a son or daughter.
Who is Ben VanSumeren’s father?
His father is Jeff VanSumeren, a retired law enforcement officer who encouraged Ben and his younger brother Alex to participate in sports from childhood.
Who is Ben VanSumeren’s mother?
His mother is Cindy VanSumeren, a retired educator and former alternative high school principal who attended the University of Michigan.
How many siblings does Ben VanSumeren have?
Ben VanSumeren has one publicly documented sibling, his younger brother Alex VanSumeren.
Who is Ben VanSumeren’s brother?
His brother is Alex VanSumeren, a college football defensive lineman who played at Michigan State University before joining the University of Southern California in 2026.
Does Ben VanSumeren have a sister?
Reliable public biographies do not identify a sister. His younger brother Alex is his only publicly documented sibling.
Are Ben and Alex VanSumeren brothers?
Yes. Ben and Alex VanSumeren are brothers who share the same parents, Jeff and Cindy VanSumeren. They were teammates at Michigan State during the 2022 football season.
Where was Ben VanSumeren born?
Ben VanSumeren was born on May 5, 2000, in Bay City, Michigan, United States.
What NFL team does Ben VanSumeren play for?
As of now, Ben VanSumeren plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined the organization in September 2026 after previously playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
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.
