Picture this: a sun-kissed lakeside scene, two lovebirds dressed in pristine white, and a moment that will make even the toughest linebacker weak in the knees. That’s right! Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Payton Wilson just scored big off the field, proposing to his college sweetheart, Lilah Ivey.

The couple took to Instagram to share their joy. Wilson’s caption read, “Here’s to forever!” while Ivey couldn’t contain her excitement: “Yes yes yes!!! Can’t wait to spend forever with you!!! Let’s get married!!!” Talk about a touchdown in the game of love!

But who is the woman who stole the heart of this gridiron giant? Lilah Ivey isn’t just another girl on the sidelines. This Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area native has been Wilson’s rock since their days at North Carolina State University. She’s been there through thick and thin, from cheering in the stands to celebrating his draft day.

As Wilson’s star rose on the gridiron, Ivey stood by his side every step of the way. Her Instagram posts paint a picture of a devoted partner, celebrating Wilson’s achievements and offering encouragement through the ups and downs of his collegiate career. When Wilson nabbed the prestigious Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, Ivey’s pride was palpable through her social media posts.

Speaking of draft day, Ivey’s support was front and center. She shared on Instagram: “After the most incredible years with Wolfpack nation, we’re ready for the next chapter with Steelers nation! I’m SO proud and can’t wait to see what else is in store.” Now that’s what you call a team player!

But don’t think for a second that Ivey’s life revolves solely around football. This go-getter has been making waves in the tech world, currently excelling as a sales specialist for Cisco Collaboration, a role she landed in January this year.

Payton Wilson’s fiance’s journey from the sidelines to the boardroom

While Wilson’s been busy dodging linebackers, Ivey’s been climbing the corporate ladder. Her LinkedIn reads like a who’s who of tech companies: Lang.ai, ADP, Rossum—you name it, she’s probably sold for it.

But it’s not all work and no play for this dynamic duo. They recently hit the beach in Ocean Isle, North Carolina, for some Fourth of July fun. Nothing says “America’s sweethearts” quite like fireworks and football, right?

When she’s not cheering from the stands or closing deals, Ivey’s keeping it real on social media. She’s got a soft spot for dogs (move over, Steelers, there’s a new best friend in town), and she’s not shy about sharing her fashion game. Outfit of the day? More like the outfit of game day!

As for Wilson, he kept it low-key before the big draft day. “If you know me, you can probably guess,” he chuckled. “It’s just going to be me, my mom, and my daddy and my girlfriend, we’re just going to be at the house and my mom’s going to probably make some real good food, and we’ll just wait around until I get that phone call. It’s not going to be anything too special, just cherishing the moment with some of the closest people in the world to me.”

Sounds like Ivey’s in for some home-cooked comfort food and quality time with the Wilsons for the foreseeable future.

So there you have it. Lilah Ivey: dog lover, fashionista, tech whiz, and soon-to-be Mrs. Payton Wilson. As this power couple gears up for their next big adventure, one thing’s for sure—whether it’s on the field or in the boardroom, they’re in it to win it. And with Lilah by his side, Payton Wilson’s already got his MVP.