Last Updated on October 31, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Ashton Gillotte is an American professional football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 30, 2002, in Middletown, Ohio, he grew up in Florida before playing college football at the University of Louisville. The Chiefs selected him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Beyond his football career, Gillotte has a family story involving his wife, professional volleyball player Cara Cresse, his parents, Veronica and Adrian Gillotte, and his two older siblings, Devin and Alexandra. His childhood included his parents’ divorce and financial difficulties, but family support helped him pursue his ambitions.
Gillotte has frequently acknowledged the importance of his mother’s encouragement, his brother’s influence on his athletic development and the Christian faith that helped shape his values.
Ashton Gillotte’s Wife and Relationship History
Ashton Gillotte is married to Cara Cresse, an American professional volleyball player who competes for the Indy Ignite in Major League Volleyball.
The couple married on May 23, 2026, during an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony attended by their closest family members. They announced their marriage publicly on May 25, sharing photographs from the celebration on Instagram.
Gillotte and Cresse first became acquainted while attending the University of Louisville, where they represented the university in different sports.
Gillotte played defensive end for the Louisville Cardinals football team, while Cresse was a middle blocker for the Cardinals women’s volleyball program.
Their relationship eventually developed into a romance, and the couple celebrated their first anniversary in February 2026.
On February 3, 2026, they publicly announced their engagement through social media, sharing photographs of the proposal.
Approximately three months later, they surprised followers by revealing that they had already married.
The ceremony took place outdoors beneath a decorative floral arch overlooking a golf course. Cresse wore a traditional white wedding dress, while Gillotte wore a beige suit.
The newlyweds also announced plans to organize a larger wedding celebration in May 2027, allowing more relatives and friends to participate.
As of now, Cara Cresse is publicly recognized as Ashton Gillotte’s wife.
Who Is Cara Cresse?
Cara Cresse is an American professional volleyball player born on April 12, 2003, in Indiana. She grew up in Fort Wayne and attended Blackhawk Christian High School before joining the University of Louisville.
She established herself as one of the Cardinals’ leading middle blockers during her college career.
Cresse earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and finished her Louisville career with 517 blocks, ranking among the program’s leading players in that statistical category.
She was selected fifth overall by the Indy Ignite in the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft and began her professional career during the 2026 season.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Cresse comes from a large family. Her parents are Stephen and Sarah Cresse, and she grew up with seven siblings.
Her relationship with Gillotte brought together two professional athletes who shared a university background and an interest in competitive sports.
Following their wedding, Cresse continued her volleyball career while Gillotte prepared for his second NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ashton Gillotte’s Children
As of now, there are no verified public reports confirming that Ashton Gillotte has children.
The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end and his wife, Cara Cresse, have not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter.
Although their marriage received significant media attention in May 2026, the couple’s wedding announcement did not include information indicating that they were already parents.
Consequently, there is insufficient reliable public information to identify any children belonging to Ashton Gillotte.
Ashton Gillotte’s Parents
Ashton Gillotte’s parents are Veronica Gillotte and Adrian Gillotte, according to the University of Louisville’s official football records.
Both parents have influenced his life, although they separated when Ashton was young.
Gillotte has spoken publicly about the challenges he experienced following their divorce and the important role his mother played in supporting his athletic and educational development.
Ashton Gillotte’s Father: Adrian Gillotte
Adrian Gillotte is the father of Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte.
His identity is confirmed in the University of Louisville’s official football media guide and his older son Devin’s Stetson University athletics biography.
Adrian has a background in military service, having previously served in the United States Marine Corps.
He has also been associated with law enforcement. Devin Gillotte’s college football biography noted that he wanted to follow his father’s example by pursuing a career as a police officer.
Adrian and Veronica Gillotte raised three children together before their marriage ended in divorce.
Ashton has discussed how the separation affected his childhood. In a July 2020 interview with Cardinal Sports Zone, he revealed that he spent approximately three years without his father being involved in his daily life.
He described that period as particularly difficult because he needed a father figure while growing up.
Despite those challenges, Adrian remained part of Ashton’s family story.
When Gillotte was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2025, he confirmed that his mother and father were among the relatives who celebrated the achievement with him.
Adrian’s military background has also influenced his son’s appreciation for veterans and charitable initiatives supporting former service members.
During his first NFL offseason, Gillotte explained that his father had served in the Marines and that another relative had served in the Army during the Iraq War.
These family experiences helped inspire his commitment to supporting military veterans.
Ashton Gillotte’s Mother: Veronica Gillotte
Veronica Gillotte is Ashton Gillotte’s mother and one of the most influential people in his life.
She raised Ashton and his siblings through periods of personal and financial difficulty following her divorce from Adrian Gillotte.
After the family moved from Ohio to Florida, Veronica eventually relocated with Ashton to Boca Raton when he was in sixth grade.
The move was connected to employment opportunities, but the family continued experiencing financial challenges.
In an interview published in 2020, Ashton explained that his mother’s unemployment during part of his childhood created additional difficulties for the household.
Despite these circumstances, Veronica continued supporting her children’s education and athletic interests.
She established household expectations emphasizing Christian faith, family relationships, academic responsibilities and sports.
According to a 2023 Courier Journal profile, Ashton and his siblings were not permitted to spend weekdays watching television or playing video games.
Instead, their family prioritized schoolwork and athletic activities.
Veronica also organized family sporting competitions, allowing her children to participate in different games during weekends.
When Ashton enrolled at the University of Louisville, his mother made another significant sacrifice to support him.
She relocated to Louisville so she could remain close to her youngest son during his college football career.
At the time, she was employed by Strategic Wealth Designers, a financial planning company with operations in Louisville and Florida.
Her work arrangements allowed her to divide her time between the two locations.
Veronica has also participated in community initiatives alongside Ashton, including helping provide opportunities for military veterans to attend college football games.
Her influence remained evident after Gillotte reached the NFL.
During a 2025 interview, he credited his mother with teaching him the importance of generosity and helping others.
In September 2026, Veronica publicly praised her son after he stopped to help a Kansas City Chiefs fan whose vehicle had broken down near the stadium.
Her comments reflected her pride in his character beyond his performances on the football field.
Ashton Gillotte’s Siblings
Ashton Gillotte has two older siblings: a brother named Devin Gillotte and a sister named Alexandra Gillotte.
Their identities are confirmed in Devin’s official Stetson University football biography and interviews discussing Ashton’s childhood.
The three siblings grew up in an athletic household where sports, education and family activities were strongly encouraged.
Devin Gillotte: Ashton Gillotte’s Brother
Devin Gillotte is Ashton Gillotte’s older brother and a former college football player.
Born on March 17, 1995, in Middletown, Ohio, Devin grew up participating in several sports, including football, wrestling and track and field.
He attended Wellington High School in Florida, where he became a football letter winner and earned recognition for his performances in wrestling and track.
Devin subsequently attended Stetson University, where he played college football for the Hatters.
According to his official Stetson athletics biography, he appeared in varsity and junior varsity football games during the 2014 season.
Devin’s interest in athletics had a significant influence on Ashton, who grew up watching and competing against his older brother.
During a 2023 interview, Ashton explained that Devin helped teach him important aspects of football and inspired him to become a better athlete.
The brothers regularly competed in family sporting activities, including wrestling.
Although Devin was considerably older, Ashton enjoyed challenging him and attempting to match his athletic abilities.
Ashton also explained that watching Devin play college football motivated him to pursue similar opportunities.
That sibling rivalry contributed to his determination to improve and eventually develop into an NFL player.
As of now, Devin’s current occupation and private family life have not been extensively documented in reliable public reporting.
Alexandra Gillotte: Ashton Gillotte’s Sister
Alexandra Gillotte is Ashton Gillotte’s older sister and another member of his athletic family.
She is identified in Devin Gillotte’s official Stetson University football biography and in reporting about Ashton’s childhood.
Alexandra participated in competitive soccer while growing up and played for a traveling soccer team.
Her involvement in the sport meant that Ashton and Devin frequently accompanied their family to watch her matches.
In return, Alexandra and other relatives attended the brothers’ football games, creating a family environment centered on supporting one another’s athletic activities.
Ashton has described how his family’s emphasis on sports helped foster competitiveness and discipline.
Although Alexandra has generally remained outside the media spotlight, her involvement in youth soccer formed part of the family’s shared sporting background.
As of now, detailed information about her professional career, marriage and children has not been reliably established in widely available reporting.
Ashton Gillotte’s Childhood and Family Background
Ashton Gillotte was born in Middletown, Ohio, on October 30, 2002.
His family relocated to Florida when he was approximately three years old. His parents divorced several years later, creating significant changes in his childhood.
Gillotte subsequently moved with his mother to Boca Raton, Florida, during sixth grade.
He has spoken openly about the difficulties associated with his parents’ separation, financial instability and growing up without consistent contact with his father for several years.
Football became an important outlet during that period, helping him develop friendships and overcome personal challenges.
He attended Boca Raton Community High School, where he developed into a talented defensive lineman.
As a high school athlete, Gillotte also participated in weightlifting and track and field.
His performances eventually attracted college scholarship offers, including an opportunity to join the University of Louisville.
Gillotte committed to Louisville in May 2020 and became an important member of the Cardinals’ defensive line.
During his college career, he recorded 26.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss across 50 games.
He also achieved academic recognition, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in communication and receiving National Football Foundation scholar-athlete honors.
In April 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the 66th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Gillotte celebrated the achievement alongside his parents, siblings, friends and extended family.
His professional career continued in 2026, when he entered his second season with the Chiefs.
How Ashton Gillotte’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Ashton Gillotte’s family has influenced both his athletic development and his personal values.
His mother, Veronica, encouraged discipline, academic achievement and community involvement. Her decision to relocate near him during his college career also provided important emotional support.
His older brother, Devin, introduced him to competitive football experiences and encouraged him through their childhood sporting rivalry.
His sister, Alexandra, contributed to the family’s athletic environment through her participation in competitive soccer.
Although his parents divorced during his childhood, both were present to celebrate his selection by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gillotte has also identified Christian faith as an important influence on his charitable activities.
During his college career, he donated portions of his name, image and likeness earnings to charitable causes and supported community projects.
His particular interest in assisting military veterans was influenced by relatives who served in the United States Armed Forces.
These experiences demonstrate how family relationships helped shape his priorities both on and off the football field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashton Gillotte’s Family
Who is Ashton Gillotte’s wife?
Ashton Gillotte’s wife is Cara Cresse, an American professional volleyball player for the Indy Ignite. They married on May 23, 2026.
Who was Ashton Gillotte’s girlfriend?
Ashton Gillotte previously dated Cara Cresse, whom he met while attending the University of Louisville. They announced their engagement in February 2026 before marrying in May.
When did Ashton Gillotte get married?
Ashton Gillotte married Cara Cresse on May 23, 2026, during an intimate outdoor ceremony attended by close family members.
Does Ashton Gillotte have children?
As of now, there are no verified public reports confirming that Ashton Gillotte has children.
Who is Ashton Gillotte’s father?
Ashton Gillotte’s father is Adrian Gillotte, a former United States Marine who has also been associated with law enforcement.
Who is Ashton Gillotte’s mother?
Ashton Gillotte’s mother is Veronica Gillotte. She played an important role in raising him and supporting his football career, including relocating to Louisville during his college years.
Does Ashton Gillotte have siblings?
Yes. Ashton Gillotte has two older siblings: Devin Gillotte and Alexandra Gillotte.
Who is Devin Gillotte?
Devin Gillotte is Ashton Gillotte’s older brother. He played college football at Stetson University and was an important influence on Ashton’s early athletic development.
Who is Alexandra Gillotte?
Alexandra Gillotte is Ashton Gillotte’s older sister. She played competitive youth soccer and grew up alongside Ashton and Devin in their sports-oriented family.
Are Ashton Gillotte’s parents still together?
No. Ashton Gillotte’s parents, Veronica and Adrian Gillotte, divorced during his childhood. Both were present when he celebrated being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Where is Ashton Gillotte from?
Ashton Gillotte was born in Middletown, Ohio, but grew up primarily in Florida. He attended Boca Raton Community High School before playing college football at Louisville.
What NFL team does Ashton Gillotte play for?
Ashton Gillotte plays defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who selected him in the third 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.
