Quarterback Baker Mayfield and Emily Wilkinson’s relationship began with Wilkinson being hesitant to date Mayfield, assuming he was a typical playboy athlete. However, after getting to know him on a deeper level, Wilkinson realized he was a “softy” and a mama’s boy. The couple got engaged six months into their relationship and tied the knot in 2019. Throughout Mayfield’s career with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wilkinson has been a supportive presence in the stands despite facing challenges in their first year of marriage.
In 2023, Mayfield found success with the Buccaneers, leading them to victory while another highlight for the couple was announced in December – Wilkinson’s pregnancy with their first baby. Their relationship timeline began with their introduction through a mutual friend in 2017, eventually leading to Wilkinson agreeing to meet Mayfield in person after he repeatedly tried to catch her attention on Instagram. The following year, Mayfield proposed to Wilkinson and the couple announced their engagement. In July 2019, they exchanged vows and officially became husband and wife.
The couple faced challenges in their first year of marriage in 2020 when allegations of Mayfield cheating on Wilkinson with a fan surfaced. The fan, Kacie Dingess, claimed that she and Mayfield had hooked up after exchanging messages on social media. Although Mayfield and Wilkinson did not address the allegations directly, Wilkinson shared a cryptic post on social media expressing her support for her husband. Despite the turmoil, the couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary in July 2021 with Wilkinson posting a tribute to Mayfield expressing her love for him.
In April 2022, Wilkinson accompanied Mayfield to his alma mater, Oklahoma University, where his Heisman statue was set up on campus. She shared her pride in witnessing her husband’s legacy being honored at the university. The following year, the couple attended Pro Athletes Outreach’s conference to work on their marriage alongside other NFL couples, emphasizing the importance of faith-based guidance in their relationship. Their dedication to strengthening their marriage paid off when they announced in December 2023 that they were expecting their first child, a baby girl due in early April 2024.
Their daughter, Kova Jade, was born on April 9, 2024, weighing 9 pounds and 2 ounces. Wilkinson shared their joy and gratitude for their new addition, describing her as everything they had prayed for and more. The couple’s journey from a rocky start to celebrating milestones in their marriage and welcoming their first child showcases their resilience and commitment to each other. Mayfield and Wilkinson’s love story is a testament to overcoming challenges and growing stronger together as they navigate the ups and downs of life both on and off the field.
