Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves had a day to remember on December 29, 2024. Right after his team pulled off an epic 30-24 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons to lock in their first playoff spot since 2020, he popped the question to his longtime girlfriend and high school friend, Mikaela Worley.
Mikaela, a physician assistant and former volleyball star from Pensacola, Florida, has been by Jeremy’s side through thick and thin, including his tough recovery from a torn ACL in 2023. The couple celebrated their big moment together on the field, making it a double win for Reaves both on and off the turf.
The full Jeremy Reaves proposal, courtesy of @HogfarmerChris. pic.twitter.com/fqZKc7Q5JQ
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 30, 2024
Who Is Jeremy Reaves’ Girlfriend Turned Fiancée, Mikaela Worley?
Mikaela Worley, soon-to-be wife of Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, has a story that’s tightly woven with her fiancée’s both on and off the field. Born on July 16, 1998, in Pensacola, Florida, Mikaela grew up surrounded by sports.
Her parents were college athletes—her dad played football at Livingston University, and her mom was a volleyball player. The athletic streak didn’t stop there; her brother Austin played football at Huntingdon College, and her sister Katie shined as a softball player at Georgia State. Mikaela herself made a name in volleyball, standing out at Milton High School, where she played for four years, secured Offensive MVP honors, and landed multiple First-Team All-Area spots.
Mikaela kept her athletic streak alive at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where she studied biology and played as an outside hitter for the ULM Warhawks volleyball team from 2016 to 2019. After graduating, she shifted gears from sports to healthcare, earning her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Brenau University. Now, she’s working as a physician assistant in urgent care medicine and living in Virginia—a move that went hand-in-hand with her growing relationship with Reaves.
Jeremy and Mikaela’s story showcases how a strong friendship can turn into something more. They first met back in their Milton High School days, becoming best friends before their connection finally grew into love over a decade later. They made their romance official in mid-2023, but their bond had been building for years. Over the last 18 months, Mikaela has been by Jeremy’s side, especially through his toughest times, proving their relationship couldn’t be more solid.
In October 2023, Reaves hit a tough spot—he partially tore his ACL, which cut his season short and landed him in surgery. While he was recovering, Mikaela was his most significant support system, always there to lift him up emotionally and mentally. Jeremy even called her his “crutch,” acknowledging she stood by him when he couldn’t stand on his own. With her unwavering support and know-how as a physician assistant, she provided him the strength to push through. “God makes no mistakes,” Jeremy wrote later, believing her coming into his life during such a rough time was no coincidence.
Jeremy Reaves and His Soon-to-be Wife Mikaela Worley’s Unforgettable Night
The highlight of the couple’s journey together came on December 29, 2024, in a moment that melted the hearts of sports fans and romantics everywhere. After the Washington Commanders pulled off a nail-biting 30-24 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons, securing their first playoff spot since 2020, Reaves got down on one knee right there on the field at Northwest Stadium.
With a heartfelt and perfectly planned occasion, Jeremy Reaves pulled out the proposal ring and asked Mikaela Worley to marry him. She said yes, turning an already unforgettable night into something truly magical. The moment, caught on camera and shared all over social media, went viral, capturing the pure joy of love, victory, and resilience.
A post-clinch proposal!! 💍🥹
Congrats to @JR1ERA and his fiancée! pic.twitter.com/f2gvIVoEDJ
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024
Jeremy later confessed that if the Commanders had lost that night, the proposal might not have happened. Being the fierce competitor he is, Reaves shared that his plan to pop the question was entirely tied to the team’s win—a sign, in his eyes, that it was meant to be. “If we win this game, it’s destiny. She’s earned it,” he said, offering Mikaela credit for helping him bounce back from injury and for the strength she gave him during his struggles.
Jeremy Reaves just got engaged – on the field – and Tress Way had to see the ring! pic.twitter.com/a58A8xRFoW
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 30, 2024
The proposal wasn’t just a gesture of love but also a tribute to the depth of their bond. Jeremy called Mikaela his “best friend since high school” and said she’s the reason he found his way back to being his best self. In a sweet Instagram post after the engagement, he wrote, “Every time life tore me down, you built me right back up and spoke life into me. You carried the weight when I couldn’t during some tough days.” He wrapped it up with a Bible verse, Proverbs 18:22, stating he truly feels like finding Mikaela was a blessing.
