Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Jared Brinkman is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive lineman for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on February 19, 1999, in Iowa City, Iowa, Brinkman previously played college football at the University of Northern Iowa before beginning his professional career.
He previously represented the Toronto Argonauts, winning two Grey Cup championships in 2022 and 2024. He joined the Edmonton Elks in February 2025 and subsequently signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
Beyond football, Brinkman comes from an athletic family. His father, Mike Brinkman, played college football at Northern Iowa, while his mother, Carla Brinkman, competed in collegiate track and field. His older brother, Jake Brinkman, also pursued a football career at the university level.
Although several details about his parents and brother are publicly documented, information about his romantic relationships and children remains limited.
Who Is Jared Brinkman’s Girlfriend?
Jared Brinkman has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend, wife or romantic partner through reliable interviews, official team biographies or established sports publications.
Most of the information available about the Edmonton Elks defensive lineman focuses on his professional football achievements, college career and athletic background.
In May 2026, Brinkman appeared on the Elks Central podcast, where he discussed his career, experiences in the Canadian Football League and relationship with the Edmonton organization.
However, the publicly available episode description does not identify a girlfriend or wife.
Consequently, there is insufficient reliable information to establish whether Brinkman is currently single, dating someone or married.
Does Jared Brinkman Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming whether Jared Brinkman has any children.
His official University of Northern Iowa biography and available CFL profiles do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although information about his parents and brother has been documented through university athletics records, Brinkman has not publicly provided reliable details about fatherhood.
Therefore, whether he has children remains unconfirmed.
Who Are Jared Brinkman’s Parents?
Jared Brinkman’s parents are Mike Brinkman and Carla Brinkman. Their identities are confirmed in his official University of Northern Iowa football biography.
Both parents have athletic backgrounds, helping establish a family tradition of participation in competitive sports.
Jared Brinkman’s Father: Mike Brinkman
Mike Brinkman is the father of Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Jared Brinkman.
According to the official North Dakota State University athletics biography of Jared’s older brother, Jake, Mike played college football at the University of Northern Iowa.
His experience as a college football player demonstrates the family’s longstanding connection to the sport.
Jared later attended the same university, where he developed into one of the most accomplished defensive players in the school’s football program.
During his college career, Jared earned multiple All-American honors and was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Mike’s athletic background provides an important connection between the family’s earlier football experience and Jared’s achievements.
In a May 2026 interview on the Elks Central podcast, the hosts also mentioned that Jared’s father was active on their social media pages, suggesting an ongoing interest in his son’s football career.
Additional information about Mike Brinkman’s current occupation and private life has not been extensively documented.
Jared Brinkman’s Mother: Carla Brinkman
Carla Brinkman is Jared Brinkman’s mother. Her name appears in official University of Northern Iowa and North Dakota State University football biographies.
Like her husband, Carla has a background in collegiate athletics.
According to North Dakota State University’s official biography of Jake Brinkman, Carla competed in track and field at Truman State University and Western Illinois University.
Her athletic experience contributes to the family’s sporting background, which includes football, track and field, wrestling and baseball.
Both of her sons went on to compete in college football, continuing the family’s involvement in competitive athletics.
While Carla’s collegiate athletic background is documented, publicly available sources provide limited information about her professional career and other personal activities.
Does Jared Brinkman Have Siblings?
Yes. Jared Brinkman has an older brother named Jake Brinkman.
Their relationship is confirmed in Jared’s official University of Northern Iowa football biography and Jake’s North Dakota State University athletics profile.
Both brothers played college football and attended Regina High School in Iowa.
Jared Brinkman’s Older Brother: Jake Brinkman
Jake Brinkman is the older brother of Jared Brinkman and a former college football linebacker.
Born on October 1, 1996, Jake grew up in North Liberty, Iowa, and attended Regina High School, where he became an accomplished multi-sport athlete.
During his high school career, he earned all-state recognition in football and baseball while also participating in track and field.
According to his official North Dakota State University profile, Jake was a two-time district football Player of the Year and helped Regina High School achieve considerable success.
He recorded 110 tackles during his final two high school seasons and also contributed offensively as a running back.
Jake initially joined North Dakota State University, where he played as a linebacker.
After redshirting during the 2015 season, he appeared in six games in 2016 and recorded 10 tackles.
He later transferred to Northwest Missouri State University, where he continued his collegiate football career.
During the 2017 season, he played in all 12 games for Northwest Missouri State and recorded 31 tackles, including four tackles for loss.
While Jake pursued football as a linebacker, his younger brother Jared developed into a defensive lineman.
Their shared football background reflects the athletic tradition established by their parents.
Does Jared Brinkman Have a Sister?
Jared Brinkman’s official University of Northern Iowa biography identifies one brother, Jake, but does not mention any sisters.
There is no verified public information identifying a sister of Jared Brinkman.
Jared Brinkman’s Extended Family and Athletic Background
Jared Brinkman’s athletic connections extend beyond his immediate family.
According to North Dakota State University’s official biography of his brother Jake, four of their uncles also played college football.
These relatives include:
- Brett Grimshaw: Played college football at Western Illinois University.
- Trevor Grimshaw: Played college football at Western Illinois University.
- Pat Grimshaw: Played college football at Truman State University.
- Matt Brinkman: Played college football at the University of Northern Iowa.
This extended family background demonstrates that Jared grew up within a family with a history of competitive sports.
His father and several uncles played football at the college level, while his mother competed in collegiate track and field.
Both Jared and his older brother Jake continued that athletic tradition by earning opportunities to play university football.
Jared Brinkman’s Early Life and Football Career
Jared Brinkman grew up in Iowa and attended Regina High School in Iowa City, where he became a standout athlete.
He participated in football, wrestling and track and field, earning recognition for his physical strength and athletic versatility.
As a high school football player, he received multiple all-state honors and was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2016.
He also excelled in wrestling, winning a state heavyweight championship in 2016, according to his University of Northern Iowa athletics biography.
Brinkman later enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa, where he played college football from 2017 to 2021.
During his collegiate career, he became a two-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned consensus All-American recognition.
After completing his college career, he joined the Toronto Argonauts in 2022.
He was part of the Toronto teams that won the Grey Cup in 2022 and 2024.
In February 2025, Brinkman signed with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent.
Following a productive 2025 season, Edmonton announced a contract extension on January 29, 2026, keeping him with the club through 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jared Brinkman’s Family
Who is Jared Brinkman’s girlfriend?
Jared Brinkman has not publicly identified a girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable sports reporting or official biographies.
Is Jared Brinkman married?
There is no verified public information confirming whether Jared Brinkman is married.
Does Jared Brinkman have children?
There is no reliable public information establishing whether Jared Brinkman has sons or daughters.
Who is Jared Brinkman’s father?
Jared Brinkman’s father is Mike Brinkman, a former college football player at the University of Northern Iowa.
Who is Jared Brinkman’s mother?
His mother is Carla Brinkman, who competed in collegiate track and field at Truman State University and Western Illinois University.
Who is Jared Brinkman’s brother?
Jared Brinkman’s older brother is Jake Brinkman, who played college football at North Dakota State University and Northwest Missouri State University.
Does Jared Brinkman have a sister?
His official university biography identifies one brother but does not mention any sisters.
Did Jared Brinkman’s parents play sports?
Yes. His father, Mike, played football at Northern Iowa, while his mother, Carla, competed in track and field at Truman State and Western Illinois.
Where is Jared Brinkman from?
Jared Brinkman is from Iowa City, Iowa, where he attended Regina High School before playing college football at Northern Iowa.
What team does Jared Brinkman play for?
Jared Brinkman plays for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League.
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.
