Dont’e Thornton Jr. Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Mariah Miranda

Dont’e Thornton Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 30, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland, Thornton developed into a professional football player after competing for the University of Oregon and the University of Tennessee.

Beyond his football career, Thornton comes from a family whose experiences have played an important role in shaping his character and determination. His parents are Dont’e Thornton Sr. and Taria Felder, and he is the oldest of five children, with two younger brothers and two younger sisters.

Growing up in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood, Thornton helped his mother care for his younger siblings while his father was incarcerated. He has frequently credited his family with motivating him to pursue an NFL career and create better opportunities for his relatives.

Although Thornton has openly discussed his upbringing, he has maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.

Here is everything publicly known about Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend.

The Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver has generally kept his romantic relationships outside the public spotlight, concentrating his interviews and public appearances on football, family responsibilities and personal development.

During his college career at Oregon and Tennessee, Thornton frequently discussed his athletic ambitions and the importance of supporting his family.

However, his official college biographies and major interviews have not identified a confirmed romantic partner.

Following his selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Thornton continued to speak publicly about his mother, father and younger siblings without providing details about a romantic relationship.

There is also no verified public information indicating that Thornton is married or has a wife.

His relationship status therefore remains private, and it would be inaccurate to assume that he is single simply because he has not publicly identified a partner.

Does Dont’e Thornton Jr. Have Children?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has no publicly confirmed children.

The Raiders wide receiver has not made a verified public announcement about becoming a father, and reliable biographical sources have not identified any sons or daughters.

However, Thornton has extensive experience helping care for younger family members.

As the oldest of five children, he assumed additional responsibilities during childhood while his mother worked to support the family.

These experiences influenced his understanding of responsibility and the importance of providing for loved ones.

Although he has spoken about wanting to establish financial stability for his relatives, he has not publicly disclosed specific plans concerning marriage or fatherhood.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Parents

Dont’e Thornton Jr. was born to Dont’e Thornton Sr. and Taria Felder in Baltimore, Maryland.

Both parents are identified in his official University of Tennessee football biography.

Thornton grew up in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of South Baltimore, where his family experienced financial challenges during his childhood.

His mother became the primary caregiver while his father was incarcerated, and Thornton helped look after his four younger siblings.

Despite the challenges, his family encouraged his involvement in football and supported his ambition of attending college.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Father: Dont’e Thornton Sr.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s father is Dont’e Thornton Sr., who has played a significant role in his son’s family story.

Thornton Jr. has publicly discussed his father’s incarceration, explaining that he was approximately nine years old when his father went to prison.

The experience changed the family’s circumstances and contributed to Thornton assuming responsibilities beyond those normally expected of a child.

With his father away from home, Thornton began helping his mother care for his younger siblings.

According to a family profile published by EssentiallySports in October 2025, Dont’e Thornton Sr. previously worked in a warehouse associated with a bread company.

The same report stated that father and son maintained a strong relationship despite the years they spent apart.

By the time Thornton entered the 2025 NFL Draft, his father had been released from prison and was able to participate in family celebrations surrounding his son’s professional football opportunity.

Thornton Sr. attended a draft celebration dinner alongside other family members.

The quarterback-turned-wide-receiver’s journey from childhood football to the NFL has been influenced by his desire to improve his family’s circumstances.

Thornton has spoken about the importance of maintaining relationships with his loved ones while learning from the difficulties he experienced growing up.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Mother: Taria Felder

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s mother is Taria Felder, who raised five children in Baltimore, Maryland.

She became the family’s primary caregiver during the years her children’s father was incarcerated.

According to reporting published in October 2025, Felder worked multiple jobs to support her household, including employment as a hairstylist and warehouse worker.

Her responsibilities included providing for the children’s education, housing and everyday needs.

Thornton has frequently expressed admiration for his mother’s work ethic and sacrifices.

During an interview discussed by the Las Vegas Raiders in April 2025, he explained that his mother had worked hard to care for the family and that he wanted to make her responsibilities easier.

As the eldest child, he helped prepare his younger siblings for school, assisted with household responsibilities and looked after them when necessary.

These experiences contributed to his determination to achieve financial security through football.

Thornton has repeatedly expressed his desire to purchase a home for his mother.

During a 2019 interview with Baltimore television station WMAR-2 News, he explained that providing his mother with a house was one of his motivations for pursuing a professional football career.

His ambition continued throughout college and became even more meaningful after the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the 2025 NFL Draft.

In subsequent interviews, Thornton reiterated that helping his mother remained one of his most important personal goals.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Siblings

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has four younger siblings: two brothers and two sisters.

He is the oldest of five children, according to reporting from the Las Vegas Raiders and his own statements about his upbringing.

Growing up with younger siblings significantly influenced Thornton’s personality because he assumed additional family responsibilities at an early age.

Although the existence of his brothers and sisters is publicly confirmed, their individual names, ages and occupations have not been reliably established in the sources reviewed.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Two Younger Brothers

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has two younger brothers who grew up alongside him in Baltimore.

Thornton has described how he helped his mother care for his brothers while their father was incarcerated.

His responsibilities included helping ensure that his siblings ate regularly, attended school and received the support they needed.

In an interview published by the Las Vegas Raiders on July 31, 2025, Thornton explained that growing up with younger siblings encouraged him to become a positive role model.

He wanted his brothers to understand that they could pursue meaningful opportunities despite the challenges associated with their neighborhood.

Thornton also discussed his college graduation as an important achievement for the family.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Tennessee in December 2024.

His accomplishment demonstrated to his younger siblings that academic achievement and professional athletic ambitions could be pursued together.

Although the names of his brothers have not been verified, their influence on his motivation and sense of responsibility is well documented.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Two Younger Sisters

Dont’e Thornton Jr. also has two younger sisters.

Like his brothers, they were raised in Baltimore by their mother, Taria Felder, with support from Thornton during their childhood.

The wide receiver has explained that being the oldest sibling required him to develop maturity earlier than many children his age.

He helped with household responsibilities and wanted to ensure that his sisters and brothers had opportunities to succeed.

Thornton’s personal story reflects the importance he places on being an example for the younger members of his family.

He has described professional football as an opportunity not only to improve his own life but also to provide greater stability for his relatives.

Although his sisters have been mentioned in family reporting, their names, educational backgrounds and personal relationships have not been independently verified.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Uncle Fatz and Aunt Kim

Two additional family members who played important roles in Thornton’s upbringing are his uncle, known as Fatz, and his aunt, Kim.

Thornton has personally discussed their influence through his community initiative, Driven Throughout The Journey.

When he was approximately 12 years old, his uncle and aunt welcomed him into their home.

The arrangement provided him with an opportunity to pursue his education and athletic development in a different environment.

However, moving away from his mother and younger siblings was emotionally difficult.

Thornton explained that he felt responsible for helping care for his siblings and initially struggled with the idea of leaving them behind.

His mother and siblings ultimately supported the decision because they understood that it could create better opportunities for his future.

His uncle subsequently helped him enroll at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore.

Thornton has credited his uncle and aunt with recognizing his athletic potential and helping him develop the discipline necessary to succeed in school.

During an August 2025 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Thornton explained that his uncle enforced strict academic expectations.

Those expectations helped him maintain strong grades while competing in football and other sports.

The support from his extended family became an important turning point in his journey toward college football.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Early Life and Family Background

Dont’e Terrell Thornton Jr. was born on November 30, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland.

He grew up in the Cherry Hill neighborhood, an area he has discussed openly when reflecting on the challenges of his childhood.

Football became an important part of his life at approximately four years old.

During a 2026 interview on the Burn Factory Show podcast, Thornton recalled that his father had encouraged him to begin playing football.

He initially played quarterback before transitioning to wide receiver around seventh grade.

His height, speed and athleticism eventually made him a promising receiving prospect.

At Mount Saint Joseph High School, Thornton became one of Maryland’s leading high school football players.

He recorded 78 receptions for 1,881 yards and 26 touchdowns during his high school career.

In 2019, he helped Mount Saint Joseph win the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A championship.

Beyond football, he participated in track and field and maintained a strong academic record.

He was elected class president and earned honor-roll recognition during five semesters.

His academic and athletic achievements attracted attention from major college football programs.

How Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Family Supported His College Career

Thornton initially joined the University of Oregon in 2021, fulfilling a childhood ambition of playing for the Ducks.

During two seasons at Oregon, he appeared in 25 games and recorded 26 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns.

Although he gained valuable experience, Thornton eventually decided that a transfer would give him a better opportunity to develop as a receiver.

He subsequently joined the University of Tennessee in January 2023.

His first season with the Volunteers was interrupted by injuries, but he returned for a productive senior campaign in 2024.

During that season, Thornton recorded 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns.

He averaged 25.4 yards per reception, leading the nation in that category.

His performances helped Tennessee qualify for the College Football Playoff and increased his visibility among NFL scouts.

In December 2024, Thornton graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in communication studies.

For Thornton, completing his education was an achievement that carried particular importance because of his family’s circumstances.

He wanted his younger siblings to recognize that pursuing higher education could create opportunities beyond their childhood neighborhood.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Family Celebrates His NFL Dream

On April 26, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Dont’e Thornton Jr. with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

The selection represented the fulfillment of a dream he had pursued since childhood.

His combination of size and speed attracted considerable attention during the draft process.

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Thornton measured approximately 6 feet 5 inches tall and completed the 40-yard dash in 4.30 seconds.

His performance established him as one of the most physically impressive wide receivers in the draft class.

However, Thornton has frequently explained that achieving his NFL ambition was about more than individual recognition.

He wanted to provide financial security for his family and demonstrate that young people from neighborhoods like Cherry Hill could achieve their goals.

His father attended the draft celebration, while his mother and siblings remained central to his motivation.

After joining the Raiders, Thornton expressed his ambition to purchase a home for his mother and create greater opportunities for his younger siblings.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Family and Community Involvement

Thornton has maintained a strong connection to Baltimore despite his professional football career taking him to Las Vegas.

He established an initiative called Driven Throughout The Journey, commonly abbreviated as DTTJ.

The initiative reflects his interest in helping young people from disadvantaged communities overcome challenges and pursue personal ambitions.

Through the project, Thornton has promoted education, discipline, personal development and community involvement.

He has also discussed organizing youth football camps to provide children with guidance and encouragement.

His experiences growing up in a family facing financial difficulties influenced his desire to support others.

Thornton has explained that he wants children from his hometown to recognize that their circumstances do not have to determine their futures.

His commitment to helping younger athletes reflects the same sense of responsibility he developed while supporting his siblings during childhood.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Christian Faith and Family Values

Christian faith has also been an important influence in Thornton’s personal and professional life.

In a July 2025 interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, Thornton discussed his belief that God had guided him toward professional football.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had received and explained that faith helped him maintain perspective during difficult periods.

His family relationships remain central to his motivation.

Thornton has repeatedly emphasized that his success should benefit not only himself but also the people who supported him throughout his childhood.

The lessons learned from his mother, father, siblings, uncle and aunt continue to influence his approach to football and personal development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s Family

Who is Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s girlfriend?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Reliable sources have not identified a current romantic partner.

Is Dont’e Thornton Jr. married?

There is no verified public information indicating that Dont’e Thornton Jr. is married or has a wife.

Does Dont’e Thornton Jr. have children?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has no publicly confirmed children. He has not made a verified announcement about becoming a father.

Who are Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s parents?

His parents are Dont’e Thornton Sr. and Taria Felder. Both are identified in his official University of Tennessee football biography.

Who is Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s father?

His father is Dont’e Thornton Sr. Thornton Jr. has publicly discussed how his father’s incarceration during his childhood influenced his family responsibilities.

Who is Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s mother?

His mother is Taria Felder, who raised five children in Baltimore. Thornton has frequently praised her sacrifices and expressed his ambition to purchase a house for her.

How many siblings does Dont’e Thornton Jr. have?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. has four younger siblings, consisting of two brothers and two sisters. He is the oldest of five children.

What are Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s siblings’ names?

Although Thornton has publicly confirmed having four younger siblings, their individual names have not been reliably established in the public sources reviewed.

Who are Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s uncle and aunt?

Thornton has identified an uncle known as Fatz and an aunt named Kim as important figures in his upbringing. They welcomed him into their home when he was approximately 12 years old and helped him pursue his education and football ambitions.

Where is Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s family from?

Dont’e Thornton Jr. was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in the Cherry Hill neighborhood before attending Mount Saint Joseph High School.

Why is Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s family important to him?

Thornton has described his family as one of his greatest motivations. Growing up, he helped his mother care for his younger siblings and developed an ambition to provide them with greater financial stability through his football career.