Last Updated on October 31, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Charlie Woerner is an American football tight end for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 16, 1997, in Tiger, Georgia, he played college football at the University of Georgia before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Beyond football, Woerner comes from a large, close-knit family. He is married to Sydney Gilliam Woerner, a former college volleyball player, and the couple has two sons, Henry and John. His parents, Kent and Kathie Woerner, raised seven children in rural Georgia, where Charlie grew up alongside six siblings: Rachel, Allen, Peter, Jack, Sally and Lucy.
His family also has a strong football tradition, including his father, who played college football, and his uncle Scott Woerner, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Here is everything publicly known about Charlie Woerner’s wife, children, parents and siblings.
Charlie Woerner’s Girlfriend or Wife: Sydney Gilliam
Charlie Woerner is married to Sydney Gilliam Woerner, a former University of Georgia volleyball player. The couple married on June 27, 2020, in Sydney’s hometown of Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Charlie and Sydney met while attending the University of Georgia, where both were student-athletes.
Charlie represented the Bulldogs football program, while Sydney played as a defensive specialist for the university’s women’s volleyball team.
Their relationship developed during their college years, and Sydney publicly identified Charlie as her boyfriend in an August 2018 interview with Georgia Athletics.
They became engaged before Charlie entered the NFL and were preparing for their wedding when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple proceeded with their wedding in June 2020.
Shortly afterward, Charlie traveled to California for his first NFL training camp, while Sydney remained in the Southeast before joining him in September.
Who Is Sydney Gilliam Woerner?
Sydney Gilliam Woerner grew up in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she developed a passion for sports.
During childhood, Sydney participated in gymnastics before transitioning to volleyball in seventh grade.
She also competed in track and field during high school, participating in events such as the long jump, triple jump, high jump and sprints.
Her mother, Kasey Gilliam, was a collegiate track-and-field athlete at Appalachian State University and helped coach Sydney in the high jump.
Sydney later attended the University of Georgia, where she joined the Bulldogs volleyball team.
During her college career, she balanced athletics with academic responsibilities and completed an internship with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
In an August 2018 interview with Georgia Athletics, she discussed her appreciation for her hometown, her family and her relationship with Charlie.
After college, Sydney became involved in podcasting and content creation.
Sydney Woerner’s Behind the Helmet Podcast
In September 2021, Sydney launched a podcast called Behind the Helmet.
The program focused on the experiences of women connected to professional athletes, including wives, girlfriends, siblings and other relatives.
According to an interview published by Niners Nation in November 2021, Sydney created the podcast after experiencing difficulties adjusting to life as an NFL player’s wife.
Moving to California during the pandemic left her with many questions about relocating, managing relationships and adapting to professional football schedules.
She began seeking advice from other NFL partners and eventually decided to share those experiences with a wider audience.
The early podcast episodes featured conversations with Charlie about their wedding, the NFL Draft and the transition from college football to professional life.
Her project reflected her interest in helping others understand the personal experiences of families connected to professional sports.
Charlie Woerner’s Children
As of now, Charlie Woerner and his wife, Sydney, have two publicly confirmed children: Henry Woerner and John Woerner.
The couple welcomed their first son in July 2022 and their second son in April 2025.
The births of their children became important milestones during Charlie’s NFL career, particularly as the family transitioned from living in California to returning home to Georgia.
Henry Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s First Son
Henry Woerner is the oldest child of Charlie and Sydney Woerner. He was born on July 14, 2022, in Georgia.
His arrival occurred during Charlie’s third year with the San Francisco 49ers.
According to a detailed family feature published by the Atlanta Falcons, Charlie had to report for training camp approximately one week after Henry’s birth.
The timing created challenges for the young family because Sydney remained in Georgia with their newborn while Charlie returned to California.
Sydney received support from her parents during the early weeks of motherhood.
Her mother, Kasey Gilliam, later accompanied Sydney and Henry to California, helping them settle into their new apartment.
Although the transition was demanding, Sydney explained that having Henry made her feel less lonely during Charlie’s final years with the 49ers.
The family began spending more time exploring California together as pandemic-related restrictions eased.
When Charlie joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Henry was still a toddler.
The move allowed the family to live closer to relatives in Georgia and North Carolina.
In 2025, Charlie and Sydney celebrated Henry’s third birthday at their home in Georgia, surrounded by family members.
John Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Second Son
John Woerner is the second child of Charlie and Sydney Woerner. He was born on April 2, 2025.
His birth came approximately one year after Charlie returned to Georgia to play for the Atlanta Falcons.
By that time, the family had purchased a home near Flowery Branch, Georgia, where the Falcons’ training facility is located.
According to the Falcons’ official family feature, the couple welcomed John while enjoying the benefits of living closer to their relatives.
Unlike Henry’s early months, when the family had to manage long-distance travel between Georgia and California, John’s arrival occurred after the Woerners had established a more permanent home in Georgia.
John became the younger brother of Henry, making Charlie and Sydney parents of two boys.
The couple has kept additional details about their children’s everyday lives relatively private.
Charlie Woerner’s Parents
Charlie Woerner was born to Kent Woerner and Kathie Woerner, who raised seven children in Rabun County, Georgia.
The family lived in a rural environment near the Chattahoochee National Forest, where outdoor activities, education and sports played important roles in everyday life.
Both parents encouraged their children to become independent, physically active and responsible.
Kent Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Father
Kent Woerner is Charlie Woerner’s father, a former college football player and retired school principal.
He played fullback at Furman University in South Carolina and later received an NFL free-agent tryout with the New York Giants.
After his football career, Kent pursued a profession in education and eventually became principal of Rabun County Elementary School.
He spent many years working in education before retiring from his position.
In 2016, Kent also entered local politics, running for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.
However, his most important influence on Charlie came through his role as a father.
According to a May 2016 Atlanta Journal-Constitution profile, Kent and Kathie encouraged their children to spend time outdoors rather than remaining inside the house.
They frequently participated in hunting, fishing and other activities around their family property.
Kent’s football background also helped establish a strong sporting tradition within the household.
All four of his sons eventually played college football.
Despite their athletic accomplishments, Kent consistently emphasized the importance of education.
When Charlie began considering college scholarship offers, his father reminded him to prioritize academic opportunities alongside football.
Charlie ultimately selected the University of Georgia, allowing him to remain relatively close to his family.
Kathie Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Mother
Kathie Woerner, also referred to as Kathy in some interviews, is Charlie Woerner’s mother.
She helped raise seven children in Tiger, Georgia, and remained closely involved in their education and athletic activities.
Raising such a large family required considerable organization, particularly because several of the children participated in competitive sports.
Kathie and Kent encouraged their children to develop independence and spend time outdoors.
Her relationship with Charlie became particularly important when he left Georgia to begin his NFL career in California.
According to the Atlanta Falcons, Kathie initially worried about how Charlie would adjust to living so far from his family.
He had always been surrounded by relatives or college roommates and had never experienced extended periods of living alone.
She was particularly concerned about the isolation associated with NFL training camp during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, she felt reassured knowing that Sydney would join Charlie in California after their wedding.
Kathie continued supporting her son throughout his four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
When Charlie returned to Georgia in 2024, the family welcomed the opportunity to spend more time together.
Charlie Woerner’s Siblings
Charlie Woerner has six siblings: three brothers named Allen, Peter and Jack, and three sisters named Rachel, Sally and Lucy.
He is the sixth of seven children, with five older siblings and one younger sister.
The family structure was confirmed in a detailed May 2016 report published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and subsequently documented in official San Francisco 49ers media guides.
Rachel Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Oldest Sister
Rachel Woerner is the oldest of the seven Woerner children.
She grew up in Rabun County, Georgia, and helped establish the family environment in which Charlie and his younger siblings were raised.
According to a 2016 DawgNation profile, Rachel had married and was living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at that time.
The publication identified her as Rachel Woerner Marshall.
Reliable information about her current occupation and personal circumstances is limited.
Allen Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Older Brother
Allen Woerner is Charlie Woerner’s oldest brother and a former college football player.
He attended Mars Hill University in North Carolina, where he played tight end.
Allen’s football career provided an important example for Charlie during childhood.
Charlie frequently practiced and competed against his older brothers, crediting those experiences with helping him develop confidence and toughness.
In interviews, Charlie has explained that his older brothers were among his greatest athletic influences.
Peter Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Older Brother
Peter Woerner is another older brother of Charlie Woerner and a former college football player.
He played defensive line at LaGrange College before continuing his college football career at Brevard College.
Peter also shared Charlie’s enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
The brothers frequently spent time hunting and exploring the countryside around their family’s home.
According to a 2016 family profile, Charlie and Peter went hunting together during Charlie’s senior year of high school.
Their shared interests contributed to the close relationship between the brothers.
Jack Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Older Brother
Jack Woerner is Charlie Woerner’s third older brother.
Like Allen and Peter, Jack pursued college football.
He played fullback at Brevard College in North Carolina, continuing the family’s tradition of competitive football.
Jack was part of the group of older brothers who helped Charlie develop his athletic abilities through childhood competition.
Growing up with three older brothers encouraged Charlie to become physically strong and competitive from an early age.
Reliable information about Jack’s current professional activities remains limited.
Sally Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Older Sister
Sally Woerner is Charlie Woerner’s older sister.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sally attended Western Carolina University, where she participated in track and field.
Her athletic involvement demonstrates that competitive sports were important to both the sons and daughters in the Woerner family.
She was among the siblings who supported Charlie during his high school football development.
Additional verified information about her current professional and personal life is limited.
Lucy Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Younger Sister
Lucy Woerner is the youngest of the seven Woerner children and Charlie’s only younger sibling.
She grew up in the same rural Georgia household as her brothers and sisters.
When Charlie committed to the University of Georgia in 2015, Lucy was still attending school and living at the family home.
Unlike several of her older brothers, whose college football careers attracted media coverage, Lucy has maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable details about her current education, occupation and personal life are limited.
Scott Woerner – Charlie Woerner’s Famous Uncle
Charlie Woerner’s family also includes Scott Woerner, a former professional football player and College Football Hall of Fame defensive back.
Scott played college football at the University of Georgia from 1977 through 1980.
He became an important member of Georgia’s 1980 national championship team, making two interceptions against Notre Dame in the 1981 Sugar Bowl.
Following his college career, Scott was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft.
He also played professional football in the United States Football League.
Scott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Despite his uncle’s accomplishments, Charlie has explained that he did not initially understand how famous Scott was in college football.
During childhood, he primarily knew his uncle as someone who enjoyed hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.
It was only later that Charlie learned more about Scott’s achievements at Georgia.
Charlie subsequently followed his uncle’s path by playing for the Georgia Bulldogs and later representing the Atlanta Falcons.
Charlie Woerner’s Family Background and Childhood
Charlie Kent Woerner was born on October 16, 1997, in Tiger, Georgia, a small town in Rabun County.
He grew up in a large family living on approximately five and a half acres of land near the Chattahoochee National Forest.
His parents encouraged the children to remain active through football, hunting, fishing and outdoor games.
Charlie has repeatedly described his older brothers as his biggest childhood influences.
He attended Rabun County High School, where he became an accomplished football player.
During his high school career, he recorded 150 receptions for 2,696 receiving yards.
In 2015, he earned Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 recognition and was named Georgia’s Class AA Defensive Player of the Year.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from major college football programs.
He eventually selected the University of Georgia, where he played from 2016 through 2019.
During his college career, he appeared in 54 games and recorded 34 receptions for 376 yards and one touchdown.
He also completed a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness in December 2019.
The San Francisco 49ers selected him with the 190th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Why Charlie Woerner Returned to Georgia
After four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Charlie Woerner became a free agent in 2024.
Although he had developed friendships and professional relationships in California, he and Sydney wanted to establish a more permanent home near their relatives.
On March 13, 2024, Woerner signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The move allowed his family to remain in Georgia rather than relocating across the country again.
In a detailed Falcons feature published in 2025, Charlie and Sydney discussed how difficult it had been to raise their first son while living far from extended family.
Returning to Georgia allowed their children to spend more time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The couple purchased a home near Flowery Branch in 2025 and welcomed their second son, John, shortly afterward.
The return also made it easier for relatives to attend Charlie’s NFL games.
For the Woerner family, the move represented both a professional opportunity and a chance to strengthen family relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charlie Woerner’s Family
Who is Charlie Woerner’s girlfriend?
Charlie Woerner’s former girlfriend is Sydney Gilliam. The couple married on June 27, 2020, making Sydney his wife.
Is Charlie Woerner married?
Yes. Charlie Woerner is married to Sydney Gilliam Woerner, a former University of Georgia volleyball player.
When did Charlie Woerner get married?
Charlie Woerner married Sydney Gilliam on June 27, 2020, in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
How many children does Charlie Woerner have?
As of now, Charlie Woerner has two publicly confirmed children, both sons: Henry Woerner and John Woerner.
When was Henry Woerner born?
Henry Woerner, Charlie’s first son, was born on July 14, 2022, in Georgia.
When was John Woerner born?
John Woerner, Charlie’s second son, was born on April 2, 2025.
Who is Charlie Woerner’s father?
His father is Kent Woerner, a former Furman University football player and retired principal of Rabun County Elementary School.
Who is Charlie Woerner’s mother?
His mother is Kathie Woerner, also called Kathy, who helped raise seven children in Tiger, Georgia.
How many siblings does Charlie Woerner have?
Charlie Woerner has six siblings: Rachel, Allen, Peter, Jack, Sally and Lucy Woerner.
Who are Charlie Woerner’s brothers?
His three older brothers are Allen, Peter and Jack Woerner. All three played college football.
Who are Charlie Woerner’s sisters?
His three sisters are Rachel, Sally and Lucy Woerner.
Is Charlie Woerner related to Scott Woerner?
Yes. Scott Woerner, a former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, is Charlie Woerner’s uncle.
Where is Charlie Woerner’s family from?
The Woerner family is from Tiger, Georgia, a small community in Rabun County near the Chattahoochee National Forest.
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.
