Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has always been a paragon of composure and grace on the tracks. After all, it was this unshakeable focus that allowed her to win multiple Olympic golds. But this was not always the case. There was a time when all that surrounded her was anxiety.  In the solitude of lockdown, when stadiums were silent and the world seemed uncertain, Sydney found herself at a crossroads. But it was at this point that the former NFL wide receiver and her now husband entered her life. 

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone never saw it coming. Not the heartbreak, not the redemption, and certainly not the love story that would change everything. The 4-time gold medalist had already faced tough hurdles—both on and off the track—when André sprinted into her life. All on the back of the charm, confidence, and a well-timed Instagram DM, André made his move during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Levrone was in the midst of a difficult period! But what caused her all this grief?

Well, to start in 2019, Sydney faced a crushing defeat. At the IAAF World Championships, she lost to Dalilah Muhammad by just 0.07 seconds. A blink. A breath. But enough to push Sydney to one of her lowest points. “I didn’t want to hear the congratulations. I didn’t want to be told that I’d just run a brilliant race,” she confessed in 2019. The moment she saw her father in the tunnel, she broke down.

Fast forward to a year later, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was searching for answers when life felt overwhelming. After the heartbreak of Doha and the isolation of COVID-19, she turned to God—but she didn’t walk this path alone. Andre Levrone Jr. became a guiding light in her journey. As she wrote in her book, “I finally turned to God. He used the isolation of COVID and the recent heartaches in Doha and failed relationships to bring me to himself, so I could begin to understand how to make him the priority.”

Sydney mentions how André helped bring more clarity to her life. When the Tokyo Olympics were postponed and the world went into lockdown, Sydney felt lost. Therapy became a lifeline, but something still felt missing. “Around the time of COVID, I hit rock bottom and was completely broken. I was in my house searching for answers, peace, and healing. I thought there must be more to life than just this and was like, ‘God, I surrender.’’ she told FCA last year.

That’s when Faith—and Andre—stepped in. “We did a Bible study together via FaceTime with other athletes, and the foundation of our relationship was faith.” But do you know how it all started? Well, buckle up—because it is a classic case of modern love. Forget meet-cutes at coffee shops or chance encounters at the park—Sydney and Andre’s love story started… in an unexpected way!

André recalls her first meeting with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

André Levrone Jr. never imagined his love story would begin with DM. But? That’s exactly how it happened. And what a beginning it was.

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He continues, “I wish I could have met you in the Christian section of Barnes & Noble, but it didn’t happen. She had her book yet—that’s exactly right. It took you to write the book. Absolutely shameless! But no, so I slid in her DMs.” This is just another example of the strong influence of God and religion in the lives of Levrone, one of the many points he would eventually have in common with his future partner!

It was 2020. The world was on pause, but destiny was in motion. Sydney had just posted a story, captioned with the song title Attention. Andre saw an opening. “You got my attention. How do I get yours?” he messaged. Sydney laughed at the memory. “I had posted a picture, and the song title was like Attention, and then he replied, ‘Well, you have my attention. How do I get yours?” she recalled.

A few words turned into something more. Banter became real conversations. Messages turned into late-night FaceTime calls. And then? Connection. And for both of them, what began as an unexpected moment blossomed into something as big as their engagement in 2021! Andre proposed at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

 Sydney was overwhelmed. “Till this day, I still can’t comprehend how someone who possesses everything I’ve prayed for has finally come into my life.” Their 2022 wedding was more than a celebration—it was a commitment. “We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” Sydney said. And now? They walk through life together. They embody what it means to push forward—not just in sport but in life.