Deven Thompkins had been a name to stand out in the NFL not only for his on-field prowess but also for his unwavering commitment as a father. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver has defied the odds, transitioning from an undrafted rookie to a key player in the league.

While his position as a free agent has been the talk of the NFL town, the WR has recently gained attention due to abuse accusations from his wife Maria Castilhos on social media. Dwelling into their family dynamics, here are the two children the couple in the middle of the divorce share.

Nyomi and Messiah- Deven Thompkins’ “priority” in life

The former Buccaneers wide receiver is a doting dad to two amazing kids – Nyomi and Messiah – his treasured “wild child” and “angel baby.” Thompkins constantly shares adorable pics with his kids on Instagram, showcasing the tight-knit family bond. But recent ugly accusations from his estranged wife Maria have thrown a dark cloud over this father’s dedication.

Thompkins’ journey into fatherhood started early when his high school sweetheart gave birth to their daughter Nyomi in July 2018, just before he began his college career at Utah State. “When I really found out I was having a child, my whole world just changed at 17,” Thompkins reflected as per reports. “It was just, like, no matter what, this is your priority.”

By the following spring, Nyomi and her mother Maria – Thompkins’ high school sweetheart whom he eventually married – had moved to Logan as well. In September 2019, the couple welcomed a baby boy Messiah. “He’s my angel baby, and I feel like he’s just a miracle in general,” Thompkins said. A prenatal test revealed Messiah had Down syndrome, a diagnosis the doctors said was inexplicable. “They don’t know how it can necessarily happen…and the baby just ends up with an extra chromosome somehow.”

The proud dad gushes about both kids. Nyomi is the free spirit filling their lives with contagious energy and joy. But it’s clear Messiah holds an extra special place in Thompkins’ heart. “He’s really been a blessing to have,” the doting father said, despite the developmental challenges that come with Down syndrome.

It was a role Deven embraced wholeheartedly, even when the demands of being a standout student-athlete made parenting a dizzying high-wire act. “She was always working; we weren’t able to pay for childcare; I took them both to class with me,” Thompkins explained. “One of my professors would hold my daughter while she was doing the lecture.” Whether it was bringing Messiah to team meetings or relying on understanding instructors, the dedicated dad did whatever it took.

“Just watching Deven walk up from the parking lot, pushing a stroller and getting himself ready to go work out or something like that,” former USU coach Kyle Cefalo reminisced. “The things that he was able to manage and balance in his life, and then to have it not affect any part of what he was trying to accomplish, it’s just so impressive.”

The family remained together until the summer of Thompkins’ junior year when Maria took the kids to Florida briefly. But when the father reportedly couldn’t bear being apart, Messiah returned while Maria and Nyomi lived in California as the mother of two pursued medical studies. Those early years of selflessly putting his kids first, even amidst the pressures of chasing his NFL dream, seem to be in shocking opposition to what Maria put forth on her social media page.

Shining light on abuse allegation raised by Deven Thompkins’s wife

The insight into the personal life of Thompkins makes the recent shocking video from Maria all the more disturbing. She posted gut-wrenching photos appearing to show her badly beaten and bruised, claiming the injuries were inflicted by Thompkins in a vicious Valentine’s Day 2023 attack.

“He beat me really bad,” the mother states, further alleging years of abuse from the NFL receiver. Thompkins has vehemently denied the accusations through attorney Brett R. Gallaway. “Deven categorically denies the allegations…by his estranged wife,” Gallaway stated, dismissing the “false and defamatory videos” as a ploy amidst their “contentious divorce and custody battle.”

Despite their turbulent relationship over the years, they were able to work things out and move to Florida as a family. But their marriage woes heightened when he filed for divorce on Feb 27. Regardless of the truth, kids like Nyomi and Messiah certainly remain in the middle of the situation. Currently, no further response from the court has come forth either on the divorce or the accusations against Thompkins. The NFL community awaits the future of the case amid Thompkins’ off-field and on-field struggles.