DJ Ivey’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Tanos Potter

DJ Ivey, whose full name is Demeatrius Ivey Jr., is an American professional football player who plays cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. Born on February 25, 2000, in Florida, Ivey grew up in Florida City and Homestead before playing college football at the University of Miami.

Beyond his professional football career, Ivey comes from a family whose story is closely connected to determination, education and community support. His mother, Tonya Watts, raised four children as a single parent while working in the Miami-Dade County school system. His younger brother, D’Marion, also demonstrated academic and athletic talent before pursuing higher education.

Although Ivey has spoken openly about his mother and younger brother, details about his biological father, romantic relationships and whether he has children remain largely private.

DJ Ivey’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?

As of now, DJ Ivey has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or provided sufficient verified information to establish his relationship status.

The Cincinnati Bengals cornerback has generally kept his romantic life away from extensive media coverage. His public interviews have focused primarily on football, his upbringing, his mother and his ambition to make a positive difference in his hometown.

Although Ivey has an active public presence as a professional athlete, reliable interviews and official player biographies do not establish that he is currently dating anyone.

There is also no verified public announcement confirming that he is engaged or married.

Consequently, his relationship status remains private. The absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean that he is single.

Is DJ Ivey Married?

As of now, there is no sufficiently verified public information confirming that DJ Ivey is married.

Neither his Cincinnati Bengals biography nor reliable interviews about his personal life identify a wife or document a wedding ceremony.

Therefore, claims about his marital status should not be presented as established facts without additional confirmation.

Does DJ Ivey Have Children?

As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that DJ Ivey has children.

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive back has not made a widely documented public announcement about becoming a father, and his official professional football biography does not identify any sons or daughters.

Although Ivey has expressed a desire to support children and families in his hometown, those charitable ambitions should not be confused with confirmation that he has children of his own.

Consequently, whether he has started a family remains a private matter.

DJ Ivey’s Parents

DJ Ivey’s Mother: Tonya Watts

DJ Ivey’s mother is Tonya Watts, a former high school track athlete and longtime employee of the Miami-Dade County public school system.

According to an August 11, 2023, feature published by the Cincinnati Bengals, Watts raised four children on her own while living in the Florida City and Homestead areas of South Florida.

The family experienced financial and social challenges during Ivey’s childhood. Nevertheless, Watts remained committed to providing her children with educational opportunities and encouraging them to participate in organized sports.

She worked for more than two decades in school security, helping maintain a safe environment for students while raising her own family.

Her demanding responsibilities meant balancing employment, household needs, school activities and youth sports.

Despite these challenges, Watts established clear expectations for her children, emphasizing education, discipline and accountability.

Tonya Watts’ Athletic Background

Before becoming widely recognized as the mother of an NFL player, Tonya Watts was an accomplished high school athlete.

She attended Miami Southridge Senior High School, where she competed in track and field.

According to the Cincinnati Bengals, Watts held the school’s mile-running record and was inducted into its athletic Hall of Fame.

Her background in competitive running contributed to her enthusiasm for her son’s athletic activities.

During Ivey’s youth football games, she was known for occasionally running along the sidelines as he advanced toward the end zone.

The family story became particularly memorable because of her own experience as a talented runner.

Watts’ dedication to athletics also influenced how she encouraged her children to remain active in organized sports.

How Tonya Watts Raised DJ Ivey and His Siblings

Growing up in South Florida, DJ Ivey experienced some of the challenges associated with living in neighborhoods affected by poverty and crime.

His mother responded by keeping her children involved in organized sports, school activities and other structured programs.

According to the Bengals’ 2023 interview, Watts believed that maintaining a busy schedule helped her children avoid harmful influences.

She regularly transported them between school, basketball practices, football training and other activities.

By the time the family returned home in the evening, the children were expected to complete their homework and prepare for the following day.

Watts also insisted that her children honor their commitments rather than abandon activities when they became difficult.

Her approach emphasized perseverance, accountability and the importance of continuing to work toward long-term goals.

Ivey has publicly credited his mother’s strict upbringing with helping him become a more responsible adult.

Tonya Watts’ Support During DJ Ivey’s Football Career

Tonya Watts remained closely involved in her son’s football career as he progressed from youth leagues to South Dade Senior High School.

One memorable example of her discipline occurred when Ivey missed an online class while attending high school.

After discovering the absence, his mother prevented him from participating in a seven-on-seven football activity.

Her decision reinforced the expectation that academic responsibilities had to come before recreational activities.

When Ivey began receiving scholarship offers from major college football programs, Watts supported his ambitions while encouraging him to make responsible decisions.

He eventually chose the University of Miami, partly because attending college near home would allow his mother and other relatives to watch him play.

During his college career, Watts regularly attended Miami Hurricanes games and supported her son through coaching changes, criticism and competition for playing time.

Before games, she developed a routine that included listening to motivational music while preparing to travel to the stadium.

She continued encouraging Ivey as he developed into a regular defensive starter.

Following his selection by Cincinnati in the 2023 NFL Draft, Watts remained closely involved in his career, sending supportive messages and following his progress.

A December 2025 Bengals article reported that she was working in school security at Homestead Middle School, continuing her long-standing commitment to education and student safety.

DJ Ivey’s Father: What Is Known About Him?

DJ Ivey’s full name is Demeatrius Ivey Jr., but the identity and personal background of his biological father have not been independently established in reliable public reporting.

Most detailed accounts of Ivey’s upbringing emphasize the role played by his mother, Tonya Watts.

In its August 2023 family feature, the Cincinnati Bengals specifically described Watts as a single mother who raised four children.

The article also explained that Ivey credited his mother when discussing the parental guidance he received during childhood.

Although his name includes the suffix “Jr.,” this alone is not sufficient evidence to establish his father’s complete legal name, occupation or personal history.

Consequently, further details about his biological father should not be presented as confirmed without reliable documentation.

DJ Ivey’s Siblings

DJ Ivey grew up in a household with four children, according to the Cincinnati Bengals’ August 2023 family interview with his mother.

One of his publicly identified siblings is his younger brother D’Marion, who attended South Dade Senior High School before receiving a college scholarship.

The identities of the family’s other children have not been sufficiently established in reliable public reporting.

D’Marion: DJ Ivey’s Younger Brother

D’Marion is DJ Ivey’s younger brother and another member of the family who demonstrated academic and athletic ability.

Like DJ, D’Marion attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida.

During his school years, he played cornerback on the football team while maintaining excellent academic performance.

According to a 2023 Cincinnati Bengals feature, D’Marion achieved a 4.0 academic average and received a scholarship to Barry University in the Miami area.

Although his athletic ability attracted some interest from college football programs, he chose to prioritize education and his academic ambitions.

His decision reflected the importance that the Ivey family placed on educational opportunities alongside competitive sports.

D’Marion’s Interest in Astrophysics

One of the most distinctive aspects of D’Marion’s background is his interest in astrophysics.

According to his mother, D’Marion planned to pursue studies connected to the field after completing high school.

His academic ambitions differed from DJ’s professional football path, but both brothers benefited from their mother’s encouragement to pursue their individual goals.

In 2023, Watts explained that a university in Ohio had contacted D’Marion after DJ was drafted into the NFL.

The opportunity would potentially have allowed him to continue playing football while remaining closer to his older brother’s professional team.

However, D’Marion preferred to remain in South Florida and continue his education at Barry University.

His decision demonstrated that the two brothers were pursuing different professional ambitions while sharing the same family support system.

As of now, reliable public reporting provides limited additional information about D’Marion’s academic progress or later professional career.

DJ Ivey’s Other Siblings

According to Tonya Watts’ 2023 interview with the Cincinnati Bengals, she raised four children as a single parent.

This establishes that DJ grew up with three siblings, including D’Marion.

However, the names, ages and personal backgrounds of the other two siblings have not been independently confirmed in reliable public sources.

Therefore, while the number of children in the household has been documented, it would be inappropriate to invent additional sibling names or describe their private lives without verification.

DJ Ivey’s Family Connection to Pete Taylor

Another important influence in DJ Ivey’s development was Pete Taylor, a longtime community football coach and former police chief in Florida City.

Taylor is the father of the late NFL safety Sean Taylor, who played for Washington after establishing himself as a star at the University of Miami.

According to the Cincinnati Bengals, Pete Taylor first noticed Ivey while watching him compete in basketball against his son Gabriel.

He later worked with Ivey through football training sessions and mentoring activities.

Taylor praised Ivey’s athletic ability, competitive attitude and respectful personality.

He also acknowledged the important role played by Tonya Watts in supporting her son’s development.

Although Pete Taylor became part of Ivey’s wider support network, there is no verified public information establishing a biological family relationship between them.

Their connection is best understood as one involving youth sports, coaching and community mentorship.

DJ Ivey’s Family Background and Upbringing

DJ Ivey grew up in Florida City and Homestead, two communities in southern Miami-Dade County, Florida.

His mother raised him and his siblings while working in school security and encouraging participation in sports.

Ivey developed an interest in both football and basketball during childhood.

Growing up near Miami, he admired defensive backs such as Sean Taylor and Antrel Rolle, who had established successful careers after playing college football at the University of Miami.

He later attended South Dade Senior High School, where he emerged as a talented cornerback.

During his senior season in 2017, he recorded six interceptions and helped lead a secondary that limited opposing offenses to an average of 76 passing yards per game.

His achievements attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Georgia and Auburn.

However, Ivey ultimately chose the University of Miami because of his connection to the program and his desire to play near his family.

He attended Miami from 2018 through 2022, appearing in 58 games and making 32 starts.

During his college career, he recorded 127 tackles, six interceptions, 17 passes defended and two forced fumbles.

His performances helped him earn an opportunity to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ivey with the 246th overall pick in the seventh round.

He earned a place on Cincinnati’s roster during his rookie season and began contributing on special teams and as a reserve defensive back.

Although a knee injury interrupted his first professional season, he recovered and returned to action during the 2024 NFL campaign.

He subsequently appeared in all 17 regular-season games during the 2025 season.

Throughout his career, Ivey has consistently emphasized the importance of his mother’s guidance and the support he received from his hometown community.

DJ Ivey’s Education and Community Ambitions

DJ Ivey has also expressed a strong interest in education, public health and supporting disadvantaged communities.

During his time at the University of Miami, he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and pursued graduate studies in public health.

He also joined Kappa Alpha Psi, a historically Black fraternity, while balancing football and academic responsibilities.

In a February 2022 interview published by Miami Hurricanes Athletics, Ivey explained that fraternity membership provided opportunities for personal development, leadership and community service.

He later discussed his ambition to establish nutrition centers in his hometown, providing families and children with greater access to healthier food.

The idea was influenced by the challenges he observed while growing up in South Florida.

His interest in community development reflects the importance of helping others that he learned from his mother and local mentors.

Frequently Asked Questions About DJ Ivey’s Family

Who is DJ Ivey’s girlfriend?

As of now, DJ Ivey has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend, and his current relationship status remains private.

Is DJ Ivey married?

There is no sufficiently verified public information establishing that the Cincinnati Bengals cornerback is married.

Does DJ Ivey have children?

There is no verified public information confirming that DJ Ivey has children.

Who is DJ Ivey’s mother?

His mother is Tonya Watts, a former high school track athlete who raised four children while working in the Miami-Dade County school system.

Who is DJ Ivey’s father?

The identity of DJ Ivey’s biological father has not been independently verified in reliable public reporting. He was primarily raised by his mother, Tonya Watts.

Does DJ Ivey have siblings?

Yes. DJ Ivey grew up with three siblings, according to his mother’s interview with the Cincinnati Bengals. His younger brother D’Marion is the only one publicly identified by name in that report.

Who is DJ Ivey’s younger brother?

His younger brother is D’Marion, who attended South Dade Senior High School and received a scholarship to Barry University after maintaining a 4.0 academic average.

Did DJ Ivey’s brother play football?

Yes. D’Marion played cornerback at South Dade Senior High School, although he later chose to prioritize academic studies rather than continue playing college football.

Is DJ Ivey related to Sean Taylor?

No biological relationship has been established. Ivey admired the late NFL safety Sean Taylor and received mentoring from Taylor’s father, Pete Taylor.

Where is DJ Ivey’s family from?

DJ Ivey grew up in Florida City and Homestead, located in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

What is DJ Ivey’s real name?

His full name is Demeatrius Ivey Jr. He was born on February 25, 2000.

Did DJ Ivey attend the University of Miami?

Yes. Ivey attended the University of Miami from 2018 through 2022, playing cornerback for the Hurricanes and earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Which NFL team does DJ Ivey play for?

As of now, DJ Ivey plays cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.