Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Sam LaPorta is an American football tight end for the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Born on January 12, 2001, he grew up in Highland, Illinois, in a family with strong connections to college athletics. His parents were both college athletes, while his three sisters competed in volleyball and basketball at the collegiate level.
Sam LaPorta’s family includes his wife, Callahan “Callie” Dellinger LaPorta, his father, Joseph LaPorta, his mother, Staci LaPorta, and his three sisters, Olivia, Alex and Bella LaPorta. As of now, Sam and Callie are expecting their first child, a daughter, whom they plan to welcome in the Detroit metropolitan area.
Sam LaPorta’s Girlfriend and Wife
Callahan Dellinger LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Wife
Sam LaPorta is married to Callahan Dellinger LaPorta, commonly known as Callie. The couple married on June 14, 2025, after dating for several years.
Callie is originally from Naperville, Illinois, and attended Naperville Central High School before enrolling at the University of Iowa.
While studying at Iowa, she participated in the university’s rowing program and pursued a degree in business administration.
Sam and Callie met during their college years at the University of Iowa, where he played football for the Hawkeyes and she pursued her own academic and athletic interests.
Their relationship became publicly visible in December 2019, when Callie began sharing photographs of the couple on social media.
They continued dating throughout Sam’s college football career and remained together when the Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Callie attended the draft celebrations with Sam’s family and supported him as he began his professional football career in Michigan.
Following her graduation from Iowa in 2023, she moved to Michigan, where the couple continued building their relationship.
Sam LaPorta and Callie Dellinger’s Engagement
Sam LaPorta proposed to Callie Dellinger in February 2024 during a romantic beachside occasion.
The couple announced their engagement through social media, sharing photographs of the proposal and celebrating their relationship.
The announcement attracted congratulatory messages from friends, relatives and members of the football community.
The engagement occurred following LaPorta’s successful rookie season with the Detroit Lions, during which he established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive young tight ends.
When Did Sam LaPorta Get Married?
Sam LaPorta and Callie Dellinger married on June 14, 2025, in a private ceremony.
The couple publicly confirmed their marriage through a joint Instagram post featuring wedding photographs.
Following their wedding, the newlyweds traveled to Italy, where they visited Vatican City.
On June 24, 2025, LaPorta shared photographs of himself and his wife receiving a blessing from Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The experience attracted attention from sports publications, including the Detroit Free Press and Sports Illustrated.
Since their marriage, the couple has continued supporting charitable causes in Michigan.
In November 2025, Sam and Callie publicly advocated for animal welfare legislation intended to restrict painful experiments involving dogs at public institutions in Michigan.
The couple also adopted a dog named Bonnie and a cat named Walter through an animal rescue organization.
As of now, Callahan Dellinger LaPorta remains Sam LaPorta’s wife.
Sam LaPorta’s Children
Sam LaPorta and Callie Are Expecting Their First Daughter
Sam LaPorta and his wife, Callie, announced in June 2026 that they were expecting their first child together.
The couple shared the pregnancy announcement through social media, celebrating the news with friends and family.
In October 2026, LaPorta publicly confirmed that the couple was expecting a baby girl.
During an interview with reporters on October 23, 2026, the Detroit Lions tight end discussed his desire to secure a long-term contract with the franchise.
He explained that his growing family had influenced his priorities and that remaining in Detroit was important to him and his wife.
LaPorta said the couple planned to welcome their daughter in Metro Detroit and hoped to continue living in the area.
He also expressed how important financial stability and family security had become as he prepared for fatherhood.
As of now, the couple’s daughter’s birth has not been publicly confirmed through reliable reporting. The baby is expected in late 2026.
There are no verified reports identifying additional children of Sam LaPorta.
Sam LaPorta’s Parents
Sam LaPorta was born to Joseph “Joe” LaPorta and Staci LaPorta. He grew up in Highland, Illinois, alongside his three sisters.
Both parents participated in college athletics and encouraged their children to become involved in competitive sports from an early age.
The LaPorta household developed a reputation for being highly competitive, with all four children eventually becoming college athletes.
Joseph LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Father
Joseph LaPorta, commonly known as Joe LaPorta, is Sam LaPorta’s father and a former college football player.
Joe attended William Jewell College in Missouri, where he competed on the college football team.
His experience as a collegiate athlete influenced the athletic development of his children.
He encouraged Sam and his sisters to participate in organized sports and understand the importance of hard work, discipline and teamwork.
According to an interview published by the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 2020, Joe and his wife raised their children in a competitive athletic environment.
All four children eventually pursued college sports, with Sam playing football, Olivia and Bella participating in volleyball, and Alex competing in basketball.
Joe’s influence was particularly meaningful for Sam, who began playing football in elementary school.
As Sam developed into a successful high school player at Highland High School, his father continued encouraging his athletic ambitions.
Joe also supported his son’s decision to attend the University of Iowa, where he developed into an NFL prospect.
Although Joe’s athletic background is well documented, reliable public sources provide limited details about his current professional occupation.
Staci LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Mother
Staci LaPorta is Sam LaPorta’s mother and a former college basketball and softball player.
She attended Rend Lake College in Illinois, where she participated in both sports.
Like her husband, Staci encouraged her children to remain active in athletics while maintaining a strong commitment to education.
Her influence helped create a family environment where schoolwork and sports were equally important.
In a May 2022 interview published by UMSL Daily, Sam’s older sister Alex explained that their parents consistently emphasized academic achievement.
According to Alex, their parents reminded the children that education should remain a priority even as they became increasingly competitive athletes.
Staci has also been involved in education and youth athletics in the Highland community.
She has supported her children’s sporting careers by attending games and celebrating their accomplishments.
Her dedication to athletics and education helped all four LaPorta children develop the discipline needed to compete at the collegiate level.
Staci has remained an important supporter of Sam throughout his transition from college football to the Detroit Lions.
Sam LaPorta’s Siblings
Sam LaPorta has three sisters: Olivia LaPorta, Alex LaPorta and Bella LaPorta. He is the only son of Joseph and Staci LaPorta.
All three sisters competed in college athletics, continuing the family’s sporting tradition.
Olivia LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Oldest Sister
Olivia LaPorta is Sam LaPorta’s oldest sister and a former collegiate volleyball player.
She attended Highland High School in Illinois, where she excelled in both volleyball and basketball.
During high school, Olivia earned multiple athletic honors and developed into a talented middle hitter.
She eventually enrolled at Fordham University in New York, where she played NCAA Division I volleyball for the Fordham Rams.
During her college career from 2015 to 2018, Olivia appeared in 90 matches and became an important contributor to the team’s defensive performance at the net.
She finished her career among Fordham’s leading players in several blocking categories.
Olivia also pursued academic studies in communications and culture.
Her official Fordham University biography identifies Joe and Staci LaPorta as her parents and confirms that Alex, Sam and Bella are her younger siblings.
After college, Olivia pursued professional interests outside athletics, including work connected to the legal field.
Alex LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Older Sister
Alex LaPorta, also known as Alexandra LaPorta, is Sam LaPorta’s second-oldest sibling and a former college basketball standout.
She attended Highland High School, where she developed into a talented basketball player.
Following high school, Alex enrolled at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she played for the Tritons women’s basketball team.
During her five-year college career, she became one of the university’s most accomplished basketball players.
Alex earned multiple All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors and received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association honorable mention All-America recognition.
She also became the program’s career leader in rebounds and helped the team achieve one of its most successful seasons.
Alongside basketball, Alex prioritized her education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later completed a Master of Business Administration in 2022.
After graduating, she signed a professional basketball contract with Basketball Academie Limburg in the Netherlands for the 2022–23 season.
In August 2024, Alex joined Saint Louis University Athletics as a program coordinator, supporting administrative operations for several sports programs.
Alex has publicly discussed her close relationship with her siblings and the importance of the family’s shared sporting experiences.
In interviews with the University of Missouri–St. Louis, she explained that the four siblings regularly supported one another by attending games and celebrating achievements.
Bella LaPorta – Sam LaPorta’s Younger Sister
Bella LaPorta, whose full first name is Isabella, is Sam LaPorta’s youngest sister.
Like her older siblings, Bella developed an interest in sports while growing up in Highland, Illinois.
She attended Highland High School, where she participated in volleyball and basketball.
After graduating, Bella enrolled at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, the same institution where her father played college football.
Bella joined the William Jewell Cardinals women’s volleyball team and competed as an outside hitter.
During her collegiate career, she became an important contributor to the team’s offensive and defensive performances.
According to her official William Jewell College biography, Bella recorded several notable achievements, including strong performances in kills, digs, service aces and blocks.
Her university biography also confirms that she comes from a family of athletes, identifying her brother Sam as an NFL player and her sister Alex as a former professional basketball player.
Bella’s college athletic career completed an unusual family achievement: all four children of Joe and Staci LaPorta competed in collegiate sports.
Sam LaPorta’s Family Background and Childhood
Sam LaPorta grew up in Highland, Illinois, in a household where athletics played a central role.
His father had competed in college football, while his mother had played college basketball and softball.
His sisters also participated in competitive sports, creating a household where training, games and athletic activities were part of everyday family life.
According to interviews with his family, competition between the siblings helped them develop confidence and determination.
Despite their competitive personalities, the children maintained close relationships and frequently attended one another’s sporting events.
Sam initially participated in soccer before becoming increasingly interested in American football.
He began playing football in fourth grade and later became a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Highland High School.
During his senior high school season, he recorded 68 receptions for 1,457 yards and 19 touchdowns.
His performances attracted the attention of the University of Iowa, where he enrolled in 2019.
At Iowa, Sam transitioned into an accomplished tight end and developed into one of the school’s most productive players at the position.
The Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 34th overall pick.
During his rookie season, LaPorta recorded 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as an important offensive player.
His achievements represented another milestone for a family in which athletics had always been an important part of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam LaPorta’s Family
Who is Sam LaPorta’s wife?
Sam LaPorta’s wife is Callahan “Callie” Dellinger LaPorta. The couple met during their college years at the University of Iowa and married on June 14, 2025.
Does Sam LaPorta have a girlfriend?
Sam LaPorta is married to his longtime partner, Callie Dellinger. They began dating during college, became engaged in February 2024 and married in June 2025.
Does Sam LaPorta have children?
As of now, Sam LaPorta and his wife are expecting their first child, a daughter. The couple announced the pregnancy in June 2026, and no birth has been publicly confirmed.
When is Sam LaPorta’s baby due?
Sam LaPorta and his wife are expecting their daughter in late 2026. In October 2026, he said they planned to welcome the baby in Metro Detroit.
Who are Sam LaPorta’s parents?
Sam LaPorta’s parents are Joseph “Joe” LaPorta and Staci LaPorta. His father played college football at William Jewell College, while his mother competed in basketball and softball at Rend Lake College.
Who is Sam LaPorta’s father?
His father is Joe LaPorta, a former William Jewell College football player who helped raise four children who eventually competed in college athletics.
Who is Sam LaPorta’s mother?
His mother is Staci LaPorta, a former college basketball and softball player who encouraged her children to pursue athletics and academic success.
How many siblings does Sam LaPorta have?
Sam LaPorta has three sisters: Olivia, Alex and Bella LaPorta. Olivia and Alex are older than Sam, while Bella is his younger sister.
Does Sam LaPorta have a brother?
No. Sam LaPorta is the only son of Joseph and Staci LaPorta. He has three sisters.
Are Sam LaPorta’s sisters athletes?
Yes. Olivia played college volleyball at Fordham University, Alex played basketball at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and professionally in the Netherlands, and Bella played volleyball at William Jewell College.
Where is Sam LaPorta from?
Sam LaPorta is from Highland, Illinois. He attended Highland High School before playing college football at the University of Iowa.
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.
