What keeps the Chiefs up at night? If you guessed Mahomes throwing interceptions, think again. It’s losing sight of the grind—the practices, the reps, the drills that turn potential into playoff wins. As defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said ahead of their week 18 clash with the Broncos, “They’re getting ready for a playoff run, so whoever we put out there has to play their best.” Classic Spags—always dialed in, always demanding excellence.

But here’s the thing about Spagnuolo: he knows when to step back and recalibrate. Remember when he took that year off after things went south in New York? It wasn’t just about resting; it was about rediscovering his love for the game. “I wanted to spend time with my wife, and I wanted to take a big, deep breath,” he said. That year off wasn’t just a timeout; it was time spent with Maria—his rock and sounding board.

Who is Maria?

Umm… Let’s just say, behind Steve Spagnuolo—the Chiefs’ defensive mastermind—is Maria, his not-so-secret MVP. And guess what? Their love story kicked off on a blind date… That’s not meet-cute, but a play-action move. We’ll come to the wedding later.

But Mrs. Spagnuolo, well, she is NOT just a wife to the decorated coach who has shaped the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning defense. Oh, no! Plus, calling her a force of her own would be an understatement, too.

Maria’s a former hairstylist with a knack for whipping up meals that even the Chiefs’ players rave about. “Her homemade banana pudding is delivered every week to the facility. And she cooks up an entire Italian meal for the player with the best hit in each win,” That’s what Kaylee Hartung reported in November ’24.

And are we forgetting Chris Jones literally admitting to being superstitious about Maria’s meatballs? Yeah, he needs some before the SB… Wow! So, she’s as much a part of the Chiefsdom as anyone… But above all, she’s in Steve Spagnuolo’s team first!

When did Steve Spagnuolo and Maria get married?

So, here’s the play-by-play of Steve and Maria Spagnuolo’s love story. After the blind date… Steve put the ring on her beloved’s finger and then on July 9, 2005, the romantic touchdown. The Wedding. It’s sounds like such a rom-com ending. But it was the end of one chapter and the page turned over onto the next.

But, boy, oh boy, what a beautiful turn of the page it was. They tied the knot at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Yep, they kept it hush-hush from their families until the final whistle, adding a surprise twist to their big day. A paperwork situation almost benched the whole thing, but they powered through and exchanged vows at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Together, Steve Spagnuolo and Maria are more than just a couple—they’re a dynasty in the Chiefs Kingdom… We hope it made sense because between raising five kids and running the Spagnuolo Foundation, they’ve built a legacy of love, grit, and giving back. And that’s all down to one blind date, changing the course of the Spags forever.