Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Tahj Brooks is an American professional football player who plays as a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 13, 2002, in Texas, Brooks grew up in Manor, a community near Austin, where he developed his passion for football with support from his family.
Beyond his professional football career, Brooks maintains close relationships with his parents, Kevin and Tiffani Brooks, and his sister, Ceecee. He is also in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Kristin Gutierrez, whom he has known since their school years.
Although Brooks has attracted attention for his performances at Texas Tech University and his transition to the NFL, he has shared relatively few details about his private family life.
Here is everything publicly known about Tahj Brooks’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Tahj Brooks’s Girlfriend: Who Is Kristin Gutierrez?
Tahj Brooks is in a relationship with Kristin Gutierrez, his longtime girlfriend and a former college softball player from Texas.
According to an interview published by WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, Brooks and Gutierrez grew up in the same community near Austin, Texas. They knew each other during middle school and high school before officially beginning their romantic relationship in 2019.
The couple continued their relationship while Brooks pursued his college football career at Texas Tech University.
Gutierrez attended Hill College, where she played softball for two years, before transferring to Texas Tech, allowing her to continue her education while remaining close to Brooks.
When Brooks was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2025 NFL Draft, Gutierrez relocated to Cincinnati to support him during the beginning of his professional football career.
Her move represented a significant transition because she had previously spent much of her life in Texas.
In her interview with WCPO, Gutierrez expressed happiness about witnessing Brooks achieve his NFL ambitions after years of preparation and dedication.
As of now, Kristin Gutierrez is publicly identified as Tahj Brooks’s girlfriend, and there has been no verified public announcement that the couple is married or engaged.
Who Is Kristin Gutierrez?
Kristin Gutierrez is a former college softball player who has also worked in education and youth sports coaching.
She grew up in the Manor area of Texas, where she became acquainted with Brooks during their school years.
After high school, Gutierrez pursued college softball at Hill College before transferring to Texas Tech University.
Following Brooks’s rookie NFL season, Gutierrez returned to Texas during the offseason, where she worked as a softball coach and a teacher’s aide.
She has spoken about the importance of encouraging young students, particularly those from communities facing financial challenges.
After moving to Cincinnati, Gutierrez also became involved with a community of wives and girlfriends of Bengals players. She developed friendships with other players’ partners, attended group activities, and participated in community events.
In 2026, Gutierrez discussed her plans to work as a substitute teacher and provide softball lessons in the Cincinnati area.
Her professional interests demonstrate that she has continued pursuing her own ambitions while supporting Brooks’s football career.
How Did Tahj Brooks and Kristin Gutierrez Meet?
Tahj Brooks and Kristin Gutierrez first became acquainted while growing up near Austin, Texas.
They attended schools in the same community and knew each other throughout their middle school and high school years.
Although their friendship began earlier, they officially started dating in 2019.
The couple subsequently maintained their relationship throughout Brooks’s college football career and his transition into the NFL.
Their long-standing connection has made Gutierrez an important part of Brooks’s personal journey, including his selection by the Bengals in 2025.
Tahj Brooks’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
As of now, Tahj Brooks has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither the Cincinnati Bengals nor Texas Tech University has published verified information identifying Brooks as the father of a son or daughter.
Similarly, major interviews discussing his relationship with Kristin Gutierrez have not established that the couple has children together.
Although Brooks occasionally discusses personal experiences and his relationships with family members, he has not publicly announced the birth of a child.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim definitively that Brooks has children or to identify any child without reliable evidence.
Tahj Brooks’s Parents
Tahj Brooks was born to Kevin Brooks and Tiffani Brooks. Both parents have played important roles in his upbringing and athletic development.
Their identities are confirmed in his official Texas Tech University football biography, which identifies him as the son of Kevin and Tiffani Brooks.
Brooks grew up in Manor, Texas, where his parents encouraged his participation in football and supported his education.
His family background also reflects strong professional values, with both parents pursuing careers outside professional sports.
Tahj Brooks’s Father: Kevin Brooks
Kevin Brooks is Tahj Brooks’s father and an important figure in his early introduction to American football.
In an August 2025 feature published by the Cincinnati Bengals, Kevin was described as working in park inspection for the city of Austin, Texas.
He also has experience with youth football coaching.
In a personal statement from his high school recruiting profile, Tahj recalled accompanying his father to youth football practices during his childhood.
These early experiences helped introduce him to the sport before he began developing into a competitive running back.
Brooks has explained that he became interested in football at a young age and enjoyed participating in activities with other children.
Kevin’s involvement in youth football gave Tahj early exposure to organized practices, team environments, and the importance of consistent preparation.
As Brooks developed into a high school standout, his family continued supporting his ambitions to compete at the college level.
His father was also among the family members who helped him develop the discipline and work ethic later recognized by his coaches.
Although Kevin maintains a relatively private life, his role in introducing Tahj to football remains an important part of the player’s background.
Tahj Brooks’s Mother: Tiffani Brooks
Tiffani Brooks is Tahj Brooks’s mother and another significant influence in his life.
According to the Cincinnati Bengals’ official website, she worked as a computer analyst, reflecting the family’s background in professional and technical careers.
Tiffani helped raise Tahj in Manor, Texas, where she supported his education and athletic ambitions.
In his high school recruiting profile, Brooks recalled that both parents worked and that his mother enrolled him in a summer program when he was young.
Football became one of his favorite activities during that program, where he regularly played flag football with other children.
Those childhood experiences contributed to his developing interest in the sport.
As he progressed through school, Brooks eventually became one of the leading high school running backs in Texas.
His mother’s support remained part of his personal development as he advanced from youth football to high school competition and eventually to Texas Tech University.
In a 2025 Bengals interview, running backs coach Justin Hill praised Brooks’s maturity and preparation, explaining that he had spent considerable time around the player’s parents during the recruiting process.
The coach’s comments highlighted the supportive environment in which Brooks developed his disciplined approach to football.
As of now, Tiffani Brooks maintains a relatively private personal life, and limited additional information about her activities outside work and family has been publicly documented.
Tahj Brooks’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Tahj Brooks has one publicly confirmed sibling, a sister named Ceecee Brooks.
His sister is specifically identified in his official Texas Tech University football biography.
Although information about his family is limited compared with his football career, the university’s records confirm that Ceecee is a member of his immediate family.
No additional brothers or sisters have been reliably identified in authoritative public sources.
Ceecee Brooks: Tahj Brooks’s Sister
Ceecee Brooks is Tahj Brooks’s sister and one of the few relatives mentioned in his official college football biography.
She belongs to the Brooks family from the Manor, Texas, area, where Tahj spent his childhood and attended high school.
Unlike her brother, Ceecee has not attracted significant public attention through professional athletics or entertainment.
Consequently, limited verified information is available about her age, education, occupation, or personal relationships.
Texas Tech University identifies her as Tahj’s sister but does not provide further biographical information.
As of now, there is also insufficient public information to establish whether Ceecee is older or younger than Tahj.
Her relatively private life contrasts with her brother’s professional football career, which has brought him national recognition.
Tahj Brooks’s Family Background and Childhood
Tahj Brooks grew up in Manor, Texas, a community located northeast of Austin.
His childhood included early exposure to American football through his father’s involvement in youth coaching and a summer program arranged by his mother.
Those experiences helped Brooks develop a strong interest in football before entering high school.
He later attended Manor High School, where he established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the state.
During his senior season in 2019, Brooks rushed for 1,807 yards and recorded 26 total touchdowns.
He completed his high school career with more than 4,400 rushing yards and earned attention from several major college football programs.
Despite receiving scholarship offers from universities across the United States, he decided to attend Texas Tech University.
Brooks joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2020 and gradually developed into one of the program’s most successful running backs.
His achievements included first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023 and second-team recognition in 2024.
He also became Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher, finishing his college career with 4,557 rushing yards according to the university’s official records.
Alongside his sporting achievements, Brooks prioritized his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management in December 2023 and completed additional studies in sports communication.
His academic commitment earned him recognition as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete in 2024.
These achievements reflected the disciplined approach encouraged by his family and reinforced by his coaches.
Tahj Brooks’s NFL Career and Family Support
Tahj Brooks entered the NFL when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 193rd overall pick.
The selection represented the realization of a childhood ambition that began with youth football activities in Texas.
His girlfriend, Kristin Gutierrez, supported him during the draft process and subsequently moved to Cincinnati after he joined the Bengals.
According to a July 2025 article published by Texas Tech University, Brooks and his girlfriend worked with fashion stylist Laura Fedock to prepare their outfits for the NFL Draft.
The experience demonstrated how Gutierrez continued participating in significant moments in his professional journey.
During his rookie season, Brooks contributed primarily as a running back and kickoff return specialist.
He remained with Cincinnati for the 2026 NFL season, continuing to develop within the organization’s running back group.
Brooks has also remained connected to his hometown through community activities, including youth football camps in Manor.
His willingness to support young athletes reflects his appreciation for the opportunities and encouragement he received during childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tahj Brooks’s Family
Who is Tahj Brooks’s girlfriend?
Tahj Brooks’s girlfriend is Kristin Gutierrez, a former college softball player who has also worked in education and youth sports coaching. The couple officially began dating in 2019.
How did Tahj Brooks meet Kristin Gutierrez?
Brooks and Gutierrez grew up in the same community near Austin, Texas. They knew each other throughout middle school and high school before starting their relationship in 2019.
Is Tahj Brooks married?
As of now, Tahj Brooks has not publicly announced a marriage. His longtime partner, Kristin Gutierrez, is identified as his girlfriend.
Does Tahj Brooks have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports establishing that Tahj Brooks has children.
Who are Tahj Brooks’s parents?
Tahj Brooks’s parents are Kevin Brooks and Tiffani Brooks, who raised him in the Manor, Texas, area.
Who is Tahj Brooks’s father?
His father is Kevin Brooks, who was identified by the Cincinnati Bengals as a park inspector for the city of Austin. He also has experience coaching youth football.
Who is Tahj Brooks’s mother?
His mother is Tiffani Brooks, who was identified in a Cincinnati Bengals feature as a computer analyst.
Does Tahj Brooks have siblings?
Yes. Tahj Brooks has a publicly confirmed sister named Ceecee Brooks.
Who is Tahj Brooks’s sister?
His sister is Ceecee Brooks. She is identified in his official Texas Tech University biography, although additional details about her personal life are not publicly documented.
Does Tahj Brooks have a brother?
No brother has been identified in authoritative public records. His only publicly confirmed sibling is his sister, Ceecee.
Where is Tahj Brooks’s family from?
Tahj Brooks grew up in Manor, Texas, near Austin, where he attended Manor High School before beginning his college football career.
When was Tahj Brooks born?
Tahj Brooks was born on May 13, 2002, in Texas.
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.
