Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Jeremy Chinn is an American professional football player who plays as a safety for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 26, 1998, Chinn grew up in Fishers, Indiana, and developed into one of the NFL’s most versatile defensive players.
Beyond his football career, Chinn comes from a family with strong athletic connections. His parents are James Chinn and Nichelle Gilbert, and he has three siblings named Jay, Jenesis, and Leah. He is also the nephew of former Denver Broncos safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Atwater.
Chinn has also spoken publicly about his romantic life. In May 2023, the Carolina Panthers identified a woman named Emily as his girlfriend, and the defensive back discussed the positive influence their relationship had on his personal life.
Here is what is publicly known about Jeremy Chinn’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Jeremy Chinn’s Girlfriend: Who Is Emily?
Jeremy Chinn has been romantically linked to a woman named Emily, whom the Carolina Panthers officially identified as his girlfriend in May 2023.
In an article published on the Panthers’ official website on May 29, 2023, Chinn discussed how his personal relationships had helped him become more confident and focused as a professional athlete.
The report explained that Chinn was investing time in his relationship with Emily while also exploring professional development opportunities outside football.
Speaking about his personal life, Chinn described meeting someone he considered the love of his life and expressed happiness about the supportive people surrounding him.
He explained that having stability and meaningful personal relationships helped him approach football with greater confidence.
The article established that Emily was his girlfriend in 2023. However, it did not disclose her full name, profession, age, or other detailed biographical information.
There has been no sufficiently verified public update establishing whether Chinn and Emily remain together. Therefore, their relationship should be described as publicly documented in 2023 rather than assumed to be ongoing.
Is Jeremy Chinn Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jeremy Chinn is married.
His official NFL biographies do not identify a wife, and the available established reporting does not document a marriage or wedding announcement.
Although he previously spoke positively about his relationship with Emily, that interview did not establish that they were engaged or married.
Consequently, claims identifying a wife should be treated cautiously unless supported by a reliable source.
Jeremy Chinn’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is no verified public information confirming that Jeremy Chinn has children.
Neither his official team biographies nor established reporting about his family identifies him as a father.
There are also no reliably documented names or birth dates for any son or daughter.
While Chinn has occasionally discussed his personal relationships, he has not made a widely documented public announcement confirming the birth of a child.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to state definitively that he has children or provide details about any supposed son or daughter without reliable evidence.
Jeremy Chinn’s Parents: Meet James Chinn and Nichelle Gilbert
Jeremy Chinn’s parents are James Chinn and Nichelle Gilbert, according to his official Southern Illinois University football biography.
Both parents have been connected to his development as an athlete, and his father has a particularly notable football background.
In an interview published by Southern Illinois University in November 2019, Chinn discussed the support he received from his family during his college career.
He recalled that his mother, father, and grandmother had attended his college games, while approximately 40 relatives and friends traveled to watch him play against Indiana State.
Who Is Jeremy Chinn’s Father, James Chinn?
James Chinn is Jeremy Chinn’s father and a former college football safety.
According to reporting published by the Charlotte Observer and WBTV, James played college football at Southeast Missouri State University during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
His experience playing defensive football influenced Jeremy’s development from childhood.
James encouraged his son to approach sports with preparation, determination, and a strong competitive mentality.
In a July 2020 interview, James recalled that Jeremy had always been extremely competitive, whether participating in football, basketball, fishing, or family games.
He also discussed the lessons he taught Jeremy about planning and preparation.
One of those lessons involved the importance of preparing properly to achieve strong performances.
Jeremy later developed into an accomplished defensive back, following a football path similar to his father’s.
James Chinn’s Influence on Jeremy’s Football Career
Jeremy began playing organized football during elementary school and quickly demonstrated an enthusiasm for physical competition.
His father recalled that Jeremy preferred the contact involved in tackle football rather than the restrictions of flag football.
Although Jeremy was initially smaller than many of his teammates, he continued developing physically and athletically throughout high school.
James recognized his son’s competitive instincts and encouraged the work ethic that eventually helped him become a college football standout.
Jeremy’s determination ultimately led him from Fishers High School to Southern Illinois University and then the NFL.
Who Is Jeremy Chinn’s Mother, Nichelle Gilbert?
Nichelle Gilbert is Jeremy Chinn’s mother, as identified in his official Southern Illinois University athletics biography.
A July 2020 newspaper feature identified his mother as Nichelle Wheeler. The published sources use different surnames, but both identify a woman named Nichelle as Jeremy’s mother.
She was present during one of the most significant moments of his football career: his selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
According to the Charlotte Observer’s reporting, Jeremy was sitting beside his mother at their family home when he received a telephone call from the Carolina Panthers.
When the team informed him that he would be selected in the second round, Jeremy became emotional.
His mother witnessed the announcement alongside other relatives and friends who had gathered for the occasion.
The family celebrated as Jeremy achieved his ambition of becoming a professional football player.
Although Nichelle has appeared in reporting about her son’s draft experience, detailed information about her professional career and other private matters has not been consistently established in official sources.
Jeremy Chinn’s Siblings: Meet Jay, Jenesis and Leah
Jeremy Chinn has three siblings named Jay, Jenesis, and Leah.
Their names are confirmed in his official Southern Illinois University football biography, which lists all three in the player’s personal information.
Unlike Jeremy, whose professional football career has attracted national attention, his siblings have generally maintained more private public profiles.
Jay – Jeremy Chinn’s Sibling
Jay is one of Jeremy Chinn’s three siblings.
Jay’s name appears in the official Southern Illinois University biography alongside Jenesis and Leah.
However, detailed information about Jay’s education, occupation, age, and personal activities has not been established through reliable public reporting.
The official biography does not provide further details about Jay’s personal life.
Jenesis – Jeremy Chinn’s Sibling
Jenesis is another sibling of NFL safety Jeremy Chinn.
Their family relationship is documented in Jeremy’s Southern Illinois University player profile.
Although Jenesis is publicly identified as a member of the family, there is limited verified information about educational achievements, professional activities, or other personal details.
Leah – Jeremy Chinn’s Sibling
Leah is also one of Jeremy Chinn’s three siblings.
She is named in the Southern Illinois University athletics biography as part of the Chinn family.
Reliable public sources provide limited additional information about her background, and she has not received the same level of media attention as her NFL-playing relative.
The university’s official records establish the names of Jeremy’s three siblings but do not provide detailed individual biographies.
Jeremy Chinn’s Uncle: NFL Legend Steve Atwater
One of Jeremy Chinn’s most famous relatives is Steve Atwater, the former Denver Broncos safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Atwater is Jeremy’s uncle, and their family relationship has been confirmed by the Carolina Panthers, Southern Illinois University, and official NFL biographies.
Atwater played 11 seasons in the NFL, spending most of his professional career with the Denver Broncos.
He became known for his physical playing style, leadership, and exceptional ability as a defensive back.
His achievements included two Super Bowl championships, eight Pro Bowl selections, and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020.
Growing up with a Hall of Fame safety in the family gave Jeremy an opportunity to learn about professional football from someone who had competed at the highest level.
In December 2020, the Carolina Panthers published an article discussing Atwater’s views on his nephew’s NFL career.
Atwater believed Jeremy had the skills to succeed as a traditional safety, even though the Panthers were using him in several different defensive positions.
Their shared football background represents an important connection between two generations of the family.
Jeremy Chinn’s Early Life and Family Background
Jeremy Chinn was born on February 26, 1998, and grew up in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis.
He attended Fishers High School, where he played defensive back and running back.
Although he eventually developed into an imposing defensive player, Chinn experienced a significant physical transformation during his teenage years.
He was relatively small during his earlier high school years before growing into a much taller and stronger athlete.
Despite his development and impressive high school performances, he received limited attention from major college football programs.
Chinn ultimately accepted an opportunity to play at Southern Illinois University, where he competed from 2016 through 2019.
During his college career, he developed into one of the most accomplished defensive players in the Football Championship Subdivision.
His performances earned him All-American honors and increased attention from NFL scouts.
The Carolina Panthers selected Chinn in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 64th overall pick.
He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, recording more than 100 tackles and scoring two defensive touchdowns.
After four seasons with Carolina, Chinn joined the Washington Commanders in 2024.
He subsequently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2025, continuing his NFL career as a versatile safety capable of contributing in different defensive roles.
Throughout his career, Chinn has acknowledged the importance of his family’s encouragement, particularly during the uncertainty surrounding his college recruitment and early football development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremy Chinn’s Family
Who is Jeremy Chinn’s girlfriend?
Jeremy Chinn was publicly identified as dating a woman named Emily in a May 2023 article published by the Carolina Panthers. Whether they remain together has not been reliably confirmed.
Is Jeremy Chinn married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Jeremy Chinn is married.
Does Jeremy Chinn have children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jeremy Chinn has a son or daughter.
Who is Jeremy Chinn’s father?
His father is James Chinn, a former college football safety who played at Southeast Missouri State University.
Who is Jeremy Chinn’s mother?
Jeremy Chinn’s mother is Nichelle Gilbert, according to Southern Illinois University Athletics. She has also been identified as Nichelle Wheeler in newspaper reporting.
How many siblings does Jeremy Chinn have?
Jeremy Chinn has three siblings, according to his official college football biography.
Who are Jeremy Chinn’s siblings?
His siblings are named Jay, Jenesis, and Leah.
Is Jeremy Chinn related to Steve Atwater?
Yes. Jeremy Chinn is the nephew of Steve Atwater, the former Denver Broncos safety who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Where is Jeremy Chinn from?
Jeremy Chinn grew up in Fishers, Indiana, where he attended Fishers High School before playing college football at Southern Illinois University.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
