Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson might be sidelined with a knee injury, but he’s scoring big in the game of love. The 26-year-old NFL star and his fiancée Mikala Brown are giving fans a glimpse into a romance that’s as heartwarming as a last-minute touchdown.

Their love story kicked off in 2021 when they became Instagram official. Hockenson shared a photo with the caption, “Nice little week off last week.. Always good vibes w/ you!” Little did fans know this was just the opening drive of their relationship.

T.J. Hockenson’s Proposal worthy of a Hail Mary pass

Hockenson’s game-winning move came on January 28, 2023, when he popped the question to Mikala Brown. The Vikings tight end shared the details of his romantic strategy with the team’s website: “She loves horses, and she loves being out in the country. It was pretty easy for me to be like, ‘Hey, let’s go on a horseback ride when we get home.'” This wasn’t just any old play; it was a carefully crafted drive to the end zone of love.

The proposal’s setting was as picture-perfect. Hockenson chose Mikala’s mother’s farm in Nashville, combining her love for horses with the comfort of home. He elaborated, “It was cool to be able to keep that one in the back pocket and have that moment with her horses; one of them in the photos was hers since she was 8. It was a super cool feeling.” Talk about knowing your receiver’s favorite route!

In an October 2021 profile in The Athletic, Mikala described T.J. as “a goofball… in a good way,” showing that their relationship is built on more than just highlight reels.

But there’s more to this power couple than just their romantic playbook. While T.J. has been making plays on the field, Mikala has been calling her shots off it. Her career as a professional photographer in Nashville is as impressive. Let’s look at how this former high school basketball star traded jump shots for snapshots.

Mikala Brown’s game-changing career from shooting hoops to capturing moments

While Hockenson makes plays on the field, Brown is calling her shots as a professional photographer in Nashville. Her journey from high school basketball star to a successful entrepreneur is very impressive.

Brown played small forward for Livingston Academy from 2013 to 2017 before pivoting to photography. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, but her passion for photography had already taken root in 2018 when she started her own business.

On her website, Brown shares her artistic philosophy: “I value real authentic moments as well as people. I always strive to surround myself with the people I love not only because they mean the world to me but also I’ve learned that that’s where I’ve created my ‘core’ memories.” This focus on authenticity shines through in her work, capturing life’s precious moments with the same intensity she once brought to the basketball court.

As Hockenson works to recover from his ACL and MCL injuries, Brown stands by his side, supporting him through the challenges. When asked about his recovery timeline, Hockenson told NFL Schedule Release ’24 show, “They haven’t really put a timeline on it. We’re just kinda taking it day by day, week by week. There’s just so many variables that you can go through in this process.”

As this power couple navigates the ups and downs of NFL life and entrepreneurship, they prove that true teamwork extends beyond the football field. Whether it’s Hockenson making catches in the end zone or Brown capturing life’s special moments through her lens, they’re showing fans that with the right partner, every day can feel like a win.