Nasty divorce stories of 8 high-profile NFL players: From Michael Strahan to Tom Brady

From toxic marriage to infidelity: Exploring the real reasons why these 8 NFL players got divorced

NFL players have a strong commitment to the game, which has undoubtedly affected their interpersonal ties. Professional football players have various factors pushing them away from their families, which can lead to divorce, including the allure of fame and the incessant travel required for away games. Under such conditions, it takes a special kind of person to keep up a solid, healthy relationship. The NFL players on this list are famous for their athleticism on the field, but many have also experienced scandals, rumors, and significant marital difficulties that have resulted in some acrimonious divorces.

1. Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler

Reality personality Kristin Cavallari and former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had a brief romantic relationship. They dated for eight months before getting engaged in April 2011. They called off their engagement after three months but quickly reconciled. They went on to welcome their first child in 2012 before tying the knot in 2013. They split in 2020. In her 2016 memoir, 'Balancing in Heels' (via Page Six), Cavallari reveals her inital reluctance to marry the athlete because Cutler "envisioned himself being the sole breadwinner and his wife staying at home", which was not what she wanted. Cavallari addressed her marriage to Cutler in an August 2022 episode of 'Call Her Daddy' podcast and said that she had considered divorcing her husband for a long time. She said, "It was toxic. I think period, end of story. That's all I kind of need to say. I was really unhappy, I mean, and that was the bottom line."

2. Johnny Manziel and Bre Tiesi

Bre Tiesi and Johnny Manziel began dating in 2016, became engaged, and were married in a courtroom ceremony in March 2018. The following year, Tiesi accused Manziel of cheating, ending their happy marriage. Tiesi posted on Instagram, writing, "U been married? U been betrayed? I don't do betrayal for a person I was devoted to period. Vows were broken f**k money and f**k u and every other loser on here." Manziel described their split as "very sad," per TMZ, and their divorce was officially finalized in November 2021.

3. Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett

The nine-year marriage of former NFL star Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson—former partner of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner—was not without its difficulties. As per Nicki Swift, the couple struggled with trust issues, depression, and accusations of infidelity, all of which contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. After being married in 2009, the pair faced a major obstacle when Baskett allegedly had an affair with a transgender woman in 2014, while Wilkinson was eight months pregnant with their second child. Eventually, Wilkinson filed for divorce in April 2018 on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences". Their divorce was legally formalized in February 2019.

4. Kordell Stewart and Porsha Williams

Porsha Williams was dubbed a trophy wife by the show's viewers in Season 5 of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'. Stewart claimed that all changed, though, when Williams grew overly accustomed to the spotlight and put her popularity ahead of her marriage and family. Furthermore, Stewart's allegation that Williams fostered rumors about his sexuality marked a turning point in their marriage. Stewart filed for divorce from the reality star in 2013 after two years of marriage. In a 2014 appearance with Access Hollywood, Williams claimed that her ex-husband had physically abused her, which Stewart refuted.

5. Chris Howard and Gabrielle Union

Actress Gabrielle Union was married to retired NFL running back Chris Howard from 2001 to 2005. Ultimately, their marriage failed because neither of them was a match made in heaven and both of them were unfaithful. Union talked about the infidelity from her first marriage to Howard in a 2023 interview on the 'Armchair Expert' podcast. "I definitely was not getting wife of the year awards. In our first marriage, neither one of us felt like the marriage should get in the way of our dating," she said. The actor claimed that since Howard was also walking out on their relationship, she thought she had every right to cheat on him.

6. Mike Caussin and Jana Kramer

There were concerns about the relationship when 'One Tree Hill' star Jana Kramer accused former NFL tight end Mike Caussin of cheating in 2014. However, the two eventually got married in 2015. The athlete checked himself into a sex addiction treatment facility the next year after the couple briefly parted due to Caussin's infidelity. Kramer eventually lost patience with Caussin's ongoing infidelity, and she filed for divorce in April 2021. In an interview with 'Red Table Talk,' Kramer revealed that Caussin had an extramarital affair with over 13 women.

7. Michael Strahan and Jean Muggli

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and his second wife Jean Muggli separated in 2006 after getting married in 1999. Strahan filed for divorce in March 2005, within a year of the twins' birth. Following the split, there were rumors that Strahan physically abused Muggli, which he denied. Furthermore, he was called a liar because it was claimed that Muggli was aware of his extramarital affair. Following the finalization of the divorce in July 2006, Muggli received $15.3 million in total as well as $18,000 per month in child maintenance. During a custody dispute in 2020, Strahan accused his ex-wife of abusing their girls both physically and mentally.

8. Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

After 13 years of marriage, Tom Brady—widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time—and his Brazilian model wife Gisele Bundchen broke many hearts when they filed for divorce in October 2022. It was initially widely speculated that Brady's desire to come out of retirement from the NFL and play again for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 was the reason behind their divorce. The model reportedly felt Brady should spend more time with his children and disagreed with this decision. In 2022, she said, "I have my children, and I would like him to be more present." Bundchen, however, referred to the claims that she wished for Brady's career to stop as "very hurtful".