For the love of the game … and its players! Stars like Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Olivia Culpo have a thing for athletic men and they’re not alone.
The former Spice Girls singer married former soccer star, David Beckham, in July 1999 after meeting two years prior after a soccer match. She has since welcomed four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper, with the hunky athlete.
“Yes, love at first sight does exist,” Victoria wrote in a letter penned to her younger self for the October 2016 issue of British Vogue. “It will happen to you in the Manchester United players’ lounge — although you will get a little drunk, so exact details are hazy.”
Lopez, on the other hand, got engaged to former Yankees player, Alex Rodriguez, in March 2019, after dating for two years. The couple had to postpone their nuptials amid the coronavirus pandemic, but they continued to support one another with Rodriguez attending Lopez’s presidential inauguration performance in January 2021. They ultimately called it quits in April 2021.
Culpo, for her part, has yet to marry an athlete, but she has had two high-profile relationships with football players. After splitting from Detroit Lions player Danny Amendola in March 2018, the model started seeing Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in June 2019.
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the Sports Illustrated model showed her support for McCaffrey. “ITS GAME DAY 
lets goooo @christianmccaffrey,” she wrote via Instagram in September 2020 alongside two photos of the pair on vacation earlier in the summer.
Culpo continued to cheer on her man in fall 2022 when McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. “WHAT A YEAR! So proud of you @christianmccaffrey,” the Culpo Sisters star wrote via Instagram in January 2023 as the team headed to the playoffs. “You deserve this and beyond 
.”
Loving athletes isn’t only for the girls, however — Artem Chigvintsev fell for former WWE wrestler Nikki Bella in January 2019.
Us Weekly exclusively revealed at the time that the former Dancing With the Stars partners were an item. The following year, the lovebirds announced their engagement after the Russian dancer popped the question in November 2020. The couple has since welcomed their first child together, son Matteo, and tied the knot in 2022.
Alexis Ohanian’s romance with tennis star Serena Williams is one for the ages. The tech entrepreneur, who shares daughter Olympia with Williams, has been supportive of his wife’s sports career throughout their relationship, often gushing about her “hero” qualities in interviews and on social media.
Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!
Scroll down to see all of the stars who have dated, and in many cases, married athletes:
The Bachelor Nation star confirmed her relationship in February 2022 when she rooted for Funk and his then-team, the Los Angeles Rams, at the Super Bowl. Nearly one year later, the football player — who has played for the Indianapolis Colts since spring 2022 — proposed to Sluss while on vacation in January 2023. Courtesy of Hannah Ann/Instagram
The Bachelor alum wed San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner in June 2022. “What a year, what a game. To say I’m proud of you #54 is the biggest understatement,” Hightower wrote via Instagram in January 2023 after her husband lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game. “You did your job, and you did it great. You’re a legend and you deserve every ring there ever was! I love you to the ends of the Earth.” Courtesy of Fred Warner/Instagram
The Bachelor in Paradise alum got engaged to the Swedish Hockey League player in May 2021 after connecting via social media in fall 2019. The twosome tied the knot in June 2022. “He’s been my support system during all the planning!” Ferguson exclusively told Us ahead of the nuptials. “He’s so excited to call me his wife and wear a wedding band!” Courtesy Haley Palve/Instagram
The Bachelor alum, who competed on season 20 of the ABC series with her twin sister, Haley Ferguson, got engaged to the hockey player in December 2021. Emily wed the Las Vegas Golden Knights athlete in July 2022. The pair confirmed in November 2022 that they are expecting their first child. Arlene Richie/Shutterstock
After meeting in a "Zoom meditation group," the High School Musical star began dating the shortstop in December 2020. "He’s just kind of perfect for me. I am [happy]. I really am," Hudgens told Entertainment Tonight in April 2021. "I think that it’s also so important to stay grateful for everything that you have in life. I’ve been making that a priority, and I feel like it’s just been making magic happen all the more." Us confirmed in February 2023 that the pair are engaged. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
After quietly dating for a few months, Us confirmed in February 2021 that the Oscar winner and the quarterback had begun dating. Just days later, Rodgers revealed that they were engaged when he thanked his "fiancée" at the NFL Honors awards. Us confirmed in February 2022 that the duo called off their engagement. The pair sparked reconciliation speculation later that month and in March 2022 when they were spotted at a wine tasting together in California. Multiple outlets reported in April 2022 that the actress and the athlete called it quits for good. Shutterstock (2)
After dating NFL player Danny Amendola on and off for two years, the Sports Illustrated model began dating another football player, Carolina Panthers running back McCaffrey in June 2019. Culpo proved that the couple are still going strong in January 2023 after she gushed via Instagram over her partner and his new team, the San Francisco 49ers, as they headed into the playoffs. Photographer Group/MEGA
The couple — who are longtime friends — were first linked romantically when they were spotted on a road trip to Sedona, Arizona, in April 2020. Though they have primarily kept their romance out of the spotlight, Booker has gushed about Jenner on social media, describing her as the "most beautiful woman" on her 26th birthday in November 2021. Shutterstock (2)
The couple appeared on season 25 of the ABC hit in September 2017 and in January 2019 Us exclusively revealed that the WWE star was dating her former Dancing With the Stars partner. The pair announced their engagement in January 2020, revealing Chigvintsev popped the question while on vacation in France in November 2019. On January 29, the lovebirds announced they are expecting their first child together. They welcomed their first child, son Matteo, in July 2020. Two years later, the pair confirmed they’d tied the knot. Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
The “Goodies” singer married the Seattle Seahawks quarterback in July 2016 and welcomed daughter Sienna in April 2017. “We do our best to keep our once a week date night ritual going," Ciara, who also shares son Future Jr. with ex Future, told Us in October 2018. The musician also revealed she and the athlete “absolutely” want more children. “We always said we wanted a big family,” she said at the time. The duo welcomed their son, Win, in July 2020. Two years later, the family moved to Colorado after Wilson signed a deal with the Denver Broncos. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
The Masked Singer alum made their relationship Instagram official in September 2020 and they haven't been shy about sharing sweet photos with their fans. Towns even teased that he was thinking about proposing to Woods in March 2021, after denying rumors that he had been unfaithful. "So I got the baddest girl in the game and you think I’m gonna waste my energy with anyone else gtfoh!" the NBA player wrote on Twitter at the time. "Same haters we got now are gonna be the same ones we have when I put that ring on her finger." Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
The South African actress and Miss Universe winner publicized her relationship with the former NFL star in July 2018. After a year-long engagement, the couple tied the knot in January 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Broadimage/Shutterstock (10103536g) Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters 'Run the Race' film premiere, Los Angeles, USA - 11 Feb 2019
The Fuller House star and her former hockey player husband have been married since 1996. They share three children, daughter Natasha, and sons Lev and Maksim. In 2019, the actress gushed to Us about her longtime love saying, “He makes me laugh a lot, which is a very good quality. He’s just such a bold person. We always have interesting conversations. I love his passion and his strength so very much. He’s so supportive of me and our children.” Broadimage/Shutterstock
Love is in the air for the singer and former New York Yankees baseball star. Lopez and Rodriguez started dating in March 2017 and two years later, they got engaged in March 2019 while on vacation. “We just support each other,” Lopez told Us in February 2019 of their relationship. “It’s just how we do it.” The couple ended their engagement in April 2021. Andrew Toth/Getty Images
The Sports Illustrated model started dating the former New York Yankees shortstop in 2012 and sources confirmed their engagement to Us in 2015. Davis and Jeter tied the knot in July 2016 and welcomed their first daughter, Bella Raine, in August 2017. The couple welcomed baby no. 2, another girl, Story Grey, in January 2019. Davis and Jeter expanded their family again in December 2021 with the addition of daughter River Rose. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The One Tree Hill alum and the former football tight end got married in May 2015 and welcomed their daughter, Jolie Rae, in January 2016. The couple announced their separation that same August and Us broke the news shortly after that the athlete cheated on the country crooner with multiple woman and was getting treatment for sex addiction. The pair worked through their problems and later reconciled. The twosome welcomed their son, Jace, in November 2018. Us confirmed in April 2021 that Kramer filed for divorce from Caussin after nearly six years of marriage. Michael Tran/FilmMagic
“We’re very happy, we’re very much in love,” the Olympic skier gushed to Us about her relationship with the hockey player in October 2018. “I’m going to support him in his hockey career as much as I can. He has a lot of games! It’s hard to keep track of them, but he’s an amazing guy and I’m very lucky to have him in my life.” Vonn and Subban started dating in April 2018 and got engaged in August 2019. Vonn later proposed to her fiancé on Christmas day that same year, because she wanted to “return the favor. The couple announced their split a year later in December 2020. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The former Victoria’s Secret Angel tied the knot with the New York Giants wide receiver in March 2018 after being engaged for three months. Iman announced she was expecting the couple’s first child that May 2018 and she gave birth to a daughter named Cali Clay in August. The two welcomed their second child, daughter Cassie Snow in December 2019. Us exclusively confirmed in June 2021 that the pair had quietly separated and were in the middle of a divorce. Iman moved on with New England Patriots player Davon Godchaux in spring 2022. Presley Ann Slack/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
The model and NBA player just can’t get enough of each other! The pair started dating casually in May 2018 and were spotted together multiple times until they split that September. Jenner and Simmons reconnected two months later but parted ways again in May 2019. The former flames were spotted hanging out in December 2019 once again and sparked reconciliation rumors after ringing in the New Year together and later spending time in New York City in January 2020. They split for good in February 2020. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Jonathan Ng / Newspix / Getty Images
Woods and Phoenix Suns player Booker went on multiple double dates with Jenner and Simmons in 2018. The couple have never spoken publicly about their relationship, but multiple sources confirm they were exclusively dating. They quietly split ahead of Woods’ hookup with Tristan Thompson in February 2019. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
The on-again, off-again couple began dating in 2016. Us confirmed in January 2019 that the pair got back together, three months after calling it quits for the second time. A source explained, "Olivia is totally infatuated with Danny and wants it to work and she’s serious about him and always has been.” The two split again for the third and final time in March of that same year. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
This retired NFL star is positive that he’s meant to be with the Claws actress forever. “She’s very much the one for me. I love her very much,” Cruz told Us in October 2018. “We’re still growing and learning things about each other as we’re going along.” Michael Stewart/WireImage
The couple that works together, stays together. The former NFL player secretly married the Scandal actress in June 2014 after meeting while she was starring in Race on Broadway. In 2018, Washington and Asomugha merged work and play, as he produced her Broadway show American Son. The pair have two children together — Isabelle and Caleb. Araya Diaz/Getty Images
What does this athletic couple like to do in their free time? “We just watch a lot of sports,” the former NASCAR driver told Us in September 2018. Patrick and Rodgers sparked dating rumors in late December 2017 and confirmed the news shortly after. “We’re just two people who enjoy being around each other and love each other,” the Green Pay Packers star said in October 2018. The couple called it quits in July 2020. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
What do tennis and basketball have in common? Wozniacki and Lee! The former NBA star and professional tennis player got engaged in November 2017, less than a year after they confirmed their relationship. The two wed in Tuscany in June 2019 and fellow tennis star Serena Williams was one of Wozniacki’s bridesmaids. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The tennis superstar and tech entrepreneur always keep it real, especially when it comes to being parents to their daughter, Alexis Olympia, who was born in September 2017, two months before their wedding. “Whether stay-at-home or working finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes,” Williams wrote in tribute to moms on Instagram after pulling out of the Rogers Cup in August 2018. Mike Pont/WireImage
Hough and Laich, a Canadian hockey star, said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony in Idaho in July 2017. “I’m so grateful I get to spend forever with this incredibly kind, thoughtful, strong and adventurous man,” the Safe Haven actress wrote on Instagram shortly after the wedding. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world to be your wife! It was truly the most special time in our lives." The duo announced their split in May 2020 after nearly three years together. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
This couple was thrust into the spotlight after they appeared in Kanye West’s “Fade” music video in August 2016 and the Hit the Floor star confirmed their marriage while on The Wendy Williams Show the following month. The Sacramento Kings shooting guard actually delivered the pair’s daughter, Iman Tayla, who was born at their home in December 2015 after the actress went into early labor. Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Anger Management’s DeWulf and hockey goaltender Miller got married in September 2011 and announced they were expecting their first child almost exactly three years later. Us exclusively confirmed the arrival of their son, Bodhi Ryan, in March 2015. “[He’s] absolutely perfect,” the actress’ rep said at the time. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
When Merritt booked a spot in the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, she became the first Filipino woman to ever be a part of the famous event. The model was obviously thrilled about the accomplishment, but perhaps no one was more excited than her swimmer boyfriend, Conor Dwyer. “Congrats to my angel,” the gold medalist wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of himself and Merritt on the beach. Jared Siskin/Getty Images
“Happy Birthday @katebock!!! You are truly an amazing person. You bring light into so many peoples [sic] lives and deserve all the blessings you receive as a result,” the Cleveland Cavaliers star wrote on Instagram for his model girlfriend’s 25th birthday in January 2018. “Thank you for being so strong, and thank you equally for being so damn funny!! Enjoy your special day. Sending so much love.” Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
The Victoria’s Secret Angel and NBA center turned heads when they were spotted getting cozy on the beach in Malibu in November 2018. The date came shortly after the couple dressed up as Storm and Aquaman at G-Eazy’s Halloween party. The two got engaged in August 2019 at Burning Man which the model described as “my fav place in the world” on social media at the time. Zhang Hengwei/CHINA NEWS SERVICE/VCG via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum began dating the Cleveland Cavaliers player in September 2016. One year later, Us exclusively broke the news that the two were expecting their first child together. The NBA star was caught cheating in NYC days before she welcomed their daughter, True, into the world in April 2018. The duo briefly reunited before calling it quits again in February 2019 after the basketball player was caught cheating with Kardashian’s sister Kylie Jenner’s then-best friend Jordyn Woods. Us exclusively revealed in August 2020 that the pair were back together and would “love” to have another baby.However, the relationship came to an end in 2021, months before news broke that December that Thompson had fathered a child with Marilee Nichols while he was dating Kardashian. Despite parting ways, Kardashian and Thompson welcomed their second child, a son, via surrogate in summer 2022. Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Klutch Sports Group
"We've had two different wedding dates, but he keeps knocking me up," Simpson joked of the former NFL pro, whom she wed in July 2014. The couple welcomed daughter Maxwell and son Ace, before tying the knot. They then welcomed a third child, daughter Birdie, in 2019. Amy Graves/WireImage
Football season arrived early for the Newsroom actress! Us exclusively revealed in May 2014 that Munn and the Green Bay Packers quarterback were dating, after the two were spotted behaving like quite the couple during a group dinner. The couple ultimately split in April 2017 after three years together. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
"I like [dating athletes]," Nashville's Panettiere told Us while engaged to the Ukrainian boxer. The actress gave birth to her and Klitschko’s daughter, Kaya, in December 2014. The couple called it quits in 2018 after nine years together. Franziska Krug/Getty Image
The baseball player and his blonde babe! Upton and Verlander rekindled their romance and were spotted "looking very cozy" together in the Bahamas in January 2014. An eyewitness told Us that the two were "sitting on the same side of the table" during a romantic meal at while on vacation. The couple later married in Italy in November 2017 just days after he and the Houston Astros won the World Series. In 2018 they welcomed their first child, daughter Genevieve. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Together since 2001, the tennis pro and pop star are in no rush to get engaged. "I've never really thought marriage would make a difference. Maybe it's because I come from divorced parents, but I don't think you love someone more because of a piece of paper," Iglesias has said. The couple welcomed twins, Nicholas and Lucy, in December 2017 at South Miami Hospital. alph Notaro/Getty Images
Soccer stud meets supermodel! Global football player Ronaldo and his stunning ex-girlfriend Shayk started dating in 2010. The gorgeous pair opened up about their relationship as cover stars of Vogue España's June 2014 issue. The cover image, shot by legendary fashion photog Mario Testino, featured a nude Ronaldo and was touted as "Amore & Futbol," or when translated, "Love and Soccer." They later broke up in January 2015 after nearly five years of dating. Alexander Hassenstein/FIFA/Getty Images
"Having Jay is really helpful," Cavallari told Disfunkshion magazine in an interview of her then-Chicago Bears QB husband, whom she married in June 2013 in Nashville. "It's important to talk about parenting philosophies before having a child. You want to go in knowing how to raise them to avoid the arguments that can ensue. Being good parents is our top priority." They have three children, sons Camden and Jaxon and daughter Saylor. The pair announced their split in April 2020 after seven years of marriage. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images
Score! The supermodel confirmed her engagement to the former NHL player in November 2014. "It was just really romantic and sweet," Rhoda told Us exclusively of the engagement. A source told Us that Avery "had enough with bachelor life and [was] ready to commit." They married in New York in October 2015. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
The NBA player and actress became engaged in December 2013 after splitting for a brief time. They later married in August 2014 in Miami and upon the marriage, Union became a stepmother to Xavier and Wade's two elder sons from his first marriage, Zaire and Zion. The couple welcomed their first child daughter, Kaavia, via surrogate in 2018. Christian Vierig/Getty Images
The country singer and former NFL player wed in June 2013. Several months later, they announced they were expecting their first child. The lovey dovey couple then starred on their own reality series, Eric & Jessie. They have three children, daughter Vivianne and sons Eric and Forrest. Robin Marchant/Getty Images
After tying the knot in April 2009, Decker told Us not much has changed in their relationship. "It's great, it's wonderful," the Grace and Frankie star said of being married to the tennis champ. "Nothing's changed … in a good way! So it's nice." Decker gave birth to the pair’s son Hank in 2015, and in 2017, they welcomed daughter Stevie. Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Lightning fast! The Big Bang Theory actress Cuoco married the pro tennis player just six months after they had been introduced by a mutual friend. The couple wed in December 2013 and ended up divorcing in May 2016. The 8 Simple Rules alum went on to marry another athlete, equestrian Karl Cook in 2018. The twosome called it quits in September 2021. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
British royalty! The former Spice Girls singer and soccer legend tied the knot in 1999. The lovebirds share four children, sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz and daughter Harper Seven. In 2017, the former athlete revealed to BBC Radio 2’s Desert Island Discs that he and the fashion designer had renewed their vows. “It was a lot more private with only six people there in our house,” he said. “We all know marriage is difficult at times. It's about working through it. We stay together because we love each other, because we have four amazing children." Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
The couple tied the knot in February 2009. "We had champagne, a cake, some ice cream. It was a great night," Brady has said of their big day. "We planned it in, like, 10 days, and it was perfect."The Brazil native and the seven-time Super Bowl winner confirmed in October 2022 that they were divorced after not seeing eye-to-eye on Brady’s retirement earlier that year. The model and former New England Patriots quarterback share son Benjamin and daughter Vivian. Brady also shares son John with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan. George Pimentel/WireImage
Don't be tardy for the party! The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and former NFL defensive end married in November 2011. Together, they share sons KJ, Kash, and twins Kaia and Kane. "We are officially the 'Biermann Bunch' now!" Zolciak shared of her growing family, after giving birth to her youngest ones in 2013. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Dynasty! Pro golfer Johnson and Gretzky, daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, announced their engagement in August 2013. "Never been happier," the model wrote, sharing a pic of her kissing her new fiancé. Two have yet to tie the knot, but they have welcomed two sons, Tatum Gretzky Johnson and River Jones Johnson since getting engaged. Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Oh, Canada! The Happy Endings actress married the NHL hunk in July 2013 in a traditional ceremony in Prince Edward Island, Canada. They welcomed their first child, Zaphire, into the world in December 2017. Aaron Harris/Getty Images
After marrying the football player in June 2009, the reality star welcomed her first child, Hank, Jr., six months later. "It's been one of the best years of my life," Wilkinson told Us of her newlywed phase. "I can't wait to see what the future holds." She later gave birth to a baby girl named Alijah Mary in May 2014. The couple split in 2018. saac Brekken/Getty Images
Wonder how they met? NHL star Stoll and Andrews initially met through a fellow athlete pal , turned TV show host, Michael Strahan. The couple got engaged in December 2016 and were married on June 24, 2017. Joe Kohen/Getty Images
Once attached to baseball player Brad Penny, Dushku was in a serious relationship with Fox, a former Los Angeles Lakers player (and Vanessa Williams' ex). "I have a man that is pretty advanced in the sweet department," Dushku told Us. It was announced in June 2014 that the pair had split. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Love and basketball! Kim Kardashian's bestie and Anthony wed in a star-studded, extravagant ceremony back in 2012. In April 2017, she filed for separation and later confirmed she was in the stages of a divorce. Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic
"I'm becoming a sentimental weenie!" the country queen said after marrying hockey pro Fisher in July 2010. As for being Mrs. Fisher? "It's been nice," Underwood has said. The couple's son, Isaiah, was born in February 2015 and they welcomed a second son, Jacob, in January 2019. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Married since 2010, the actress and her baseball player beau welcomed their first child, Emerson Jay, in May 2013. "I've been cruising along. I've got a beautiful wife, she's my best friend, I've got a great job and a beautiful home, and now it's time to be a dad. . . I want her to be exactly like my wife," the Cleveland Indians player told Yahoo shortly before his baby's birth. They welcomed their second daughter, Sailor Stevie, in June 2016. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.com
The Younger star married the NHL player in 2010 and in 2012 they welcomed their son, Luca. The couple split in 2016 and Duff went on to marry musician Matthew Koma in December 2019. The How I Met Your Father star shares two daughters, Banks and Mae, with Koma. Duffy-Marie Arnoult/WireImage
Golfer Woods confirmed his romance with skier Vonn via Facebook in March 2013, making their first official red carpet appearance as a couple at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Met Gala two months later. "Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating," Woods wrote on Facebook. "We thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy. We want to continue our relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete as athletes." They later split in May 2015. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
The former Voice judge and her soccer player began dating in 2011. The pair welcomed sons Milan and Sasha in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The musician announced in June 2022 that she and Pique had parted ways after 12 years together. The news broke amid reports that the athlete was having an affair. Pique went public in January 2023 with his and Clara Chia’s romance. FameFlynet
NBA superstar Jordan spared no expense when tying the knot with Cuban-American model Prieto in Palm Beach, Fla. in April 2013. Planned by star wedding planner Sharon Sacks, the nuptials cost an estimated $10 million. "They are so in love," a wedding guest told Us of the couple of five years. "The warmth and the love was just overflowing. It was a wonderful day and will be a wonderful marriage!" They welcomed identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, in February 2014. Joe Buissink/Getty Images
from Celebrity News: Latest Celeb News & Pictures - Us Weekly https://ift.tt/Xi4cx8G
Comments
Post a Comment