A perfect NFL match made in heaven! The league’s most buzzing couple, Van Jefferson and his wife Samaria’s love story, is nothing short of a perfect touchdown in the game of life. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ newly joined WR is already establishing himself as the frontrunner for the WR position, having already showcased his dominance in previous seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams.

In March 2024, the NFL WR caught enormous attention due to his one-year low cap deal worth $1.2925 million with the Steelers. Under this deal, he will receive a base salary of $1.125 million. Behind his greatest plays and during tough times, his lifetime partner Samaria has always stood by him as his biggest cheerleader. Their love story, spanning over a decade, is one of companionship, determination, and mutual achievement.

Samaria Jefferson is a fashion enthusiast and social media influencer who keeps updating her 17.3K followers with daily life updates. Samaria and Van have several common factors that strengthen their bond. The NFL’s most adored Jefferson couple share the same birth month, July, and they both attended Ravenwood High School near Nashville, Tennessee.

On July 26, as the NFL WR turned 28, Samaria took to her official Instagram handle to pen down lovely wishes for her NFL hubby. Along with sharing adorable snaps of them together, Van’s wife wished him a very happy birthday with a special note: “I’ve loved you then, I love you now and every second in between. Happy birthday babe! I hope this is your best year yet”, she wrote, displaying their years-long love for each other.

On the other hand, Van Jefferson also expressed his love for his high school sweetheart on her birthday on July 8: “Happy birthday my love!! Another trip around the sun! We get to celebrate you on this special day! We love you and we are so thankful to have you!”

The couple has been cherishing each other’s love since their high school days.

Reportedly, the love blossomed between them during their high school days. The two started dating on September 19, 2014. From college sweethearts to becoming husband and wife in 2020, the couple’s love story has inspired many.

On September 20, 2021, Samaria shared a post, introducing herself as Van’s wife and mother to their second child together, confirming their wedding. Along with sharing a heartwarming video featuring their greatest moments together, the NFL WR’s partner revealed her romantic journey in a heart-touching note.

Through this post, Samaria also disclosed that she became a mom to her then-boyfriend Jefferson’s child during her senior year of high school, as the high school couple was blessed with their baby girl, Bella. “7 years ago, Sept 19, 2014, the day you asked me to be your girlfriend in high school. We went from being high school sweethearts, bringing our firstborn into the world, and then enduring what felt like the toughest, longest breakup.”

After Bella’s birth, the pair parted ways. However, they patched up years later and exchanged forever vows in 2020. “To 7 years later, that 16-year-old HS girlfriend is now your wife AND mother to our second child together”, she further wrote.

Apart from sharing insights on her relationship and kids, she also confessed her unwavering love for the NFL standout WR: “I always knew you were my soulmate. The person God created for me. When we weren’t together, no matter how complete I felt within myself, it always felt like there was still a piece of me missing in you. I truly didn’t know how, when or if we’d ever even see the light again, but we left it to God. And He made a way. 7 is the number of completeness and perfection. And He made two of the most flawed people perfect for each other again. And He made my heart and my family complete again,” she further explained.

Thus, high school sweethearts became parents to their three children, Bella, Champ Curtis, and Elijah, and are living their happy married lives. But, the birth of Champ Curtis is a story that became a highlight for the fans.

Van Jefferson’s Super Bowl baby

The couple’s second childbirth, Champ Curtis, on the day of the Super Bowl in 2022, grabbed significant attention. “I’m so proud of her. That was the ultimate best day of my life. I don’t know how I can top that,” Van revealed in an interview with PEOPLE after their second child’s arrival during the biggest Super Bowl day.

In 2022, the NFL standout veteran clinched the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, as his team defeated the Bengals 23-20. By posting 1,600 career receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, he emerged as a strong WR.

While her husband was engaged during the Super Bowl, Samaria went into labor reportedly on February 13, 2022. “I did not want to miss the game for anything,” she recalled. She was there at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. However, she faced contractions due to which she was rushed to the local hospital. She was then taken to a birthing center in Uber as her water broke. “I started bawling. I was like, ‘I don’t want to do this without Van,’” Samaria remarked.

Post-Rams victory, Van was informed about his wife’s labor. He reached the birthing center almost half an hour after his son’s birth, although he watched the entire procedure on FaceTime. He remarked, “To have a baby on Super Bowl day … and win the Super Bowl too is a blessing. It’s been two wins so we’re excited.” It was indeed one of the best days of his life, and he continues to cherish it.