
Meet Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, who's dating Haley Cavinder: the son and grandson of 2 famous football names, he once sent 2 children to the hospital and made another player quit mid-game
'I got kicked out of my youth soccer league for tackling people,' he told Cowboys Wire in 2022. 'I just remember we were playing and there was this little kid who had the ball. I think he stole it from my teammate, and I was one of the defensive guys. I just thought I was one of the defensive guys, and I needed to tackle, so I chased him down and knocked him down, picked him up, and then they kicked me out of the league.'
Jake Ferguson plays tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Photo: @jakeferg84/Instagram
Advertisement
That instinct, though often misplaced, like starting snowball fights at school or organising tackle football at recess until it got banned, eventually paid off.
Now, he's a professional tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and is known to be dating influencer and college basketball player,
Haley Cavinder . Here's how he got there.
He comes from American football royalty
Born in 1999, Jake Ferguson grew up in a household where football was more than a passion. His father, Brad Ferguson, played linebacker at the University of Nebraska, and his maternal grandfather, Barry Alvarez, spent 16 seasons as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin. With football in his blood, Ferguson naturally gravitated toward the game.
American football is in Jake Ferguson's blood. Photo: @jakeferg84/Instagram
By middle school, he was already dominating youth leagues. During a game, he sent two kids to the hospital, while his teammate Billy Wilson added a third with a blindside block. Parents even began questioning whether the two were actually in sixth grade.
'People wanted Jake's head,' Wilson recalled in an interview with The Dallas Morning News.
High school wasn't much different.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
Venus Williams' comeback ends in the last 16
Venus Williams' comeback ends in the last 16 Venus Williams is looking forward to next month's Cincinnati Open after bowing out at the DC Open in Washington. File photo: NurPhoto via AFP Venus Williams' return to tennis came to an abrupt end in the last 16 of the ATP/WTA DC Open on Thursday, with the veteran American losing to Poland's Magdalena Frech in straight sets. The 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, playing this week for the first time in 16 months, had become the oldest woman to win a WTA match in more than two decades with Tuesday's first round win over Peyton Stearns. But Williams found the going harder against fifth seed Frech in Thursday's third round clash, losing 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 13 minutes. Williams said she was nonetheless satisfied with her return to competitive tennis. "I had so much fun," Williams said. "Not the result I wanted, but I got to play a lot of matches, definitely a plus. I couldn't be happier. "I ran out of gas today to have fell short. But I know I can play better and I know I will play better," added Williams, who is due to play in next month's Cincinnati Open after being handed a wild card into the event. Frech will face third seed Elena Rybakina in Friday's quarter-finals. She had seized the early initiative with a dominant first set performance, breaking Williams in the fifth game and again in the seventh to take a 5-2 lead, before holding out to close the set. Williams was soon in trouble in the second set, blasting a routine smash well beyond the baseline to give Frech two break points in the first game, which she pounced on to lead 1-0. Both players held on to their next service game, but Williams was unable to break Frech's serve in the fourth game as the world number 24 took a 3-1 lead. Frech's shot variation continued to cause Williams problems in the next game and two wild long forehands from the veteran saw her surrender another break to go 4-1 down. With the game slipping away, Williams loosened up and began to find her range to break back for 4-2. The rally was fleeting as Frech broke again in the seventh for a 5-2 lead and then held to seal victory. (AFP)


South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
4 things trending this summer, from Labubu to Dubai chocolate
These days, it seems like everything from what we eat to what we wear is influenced by a viral internet sensation. Here are four trends that we have spotted online and in the city. Ballet flats Frequently spotted on Hong Kong streets and at designer shows, these easy-to-wear ballerina-inspired flat shoes have been enjoying quite the resurgence. Perhaps last popular in the 2000s, Vogue has proclaimed the flats the 'it-shoe' of 2025. But where did the shoe actually come from? Its origins date back to the 1600s. Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo, a French ballerina of the Paris Opera, removed the heel of her pointe shoes, creating the now-standard ballet slipper. Ballet flats from Miu Miu. Photo: Miu Miu Modern iterations would not become mainstream until the 20th century, when American designers like Claire McCardell began creating their own versions alongside Parisian shoemakers such as Repetto. Quickly becoming associated with French culture and classic, feminine looks, ballet flats have remained a wardrobe staple throughout the years. Today, designers have breathed new life into the trend, playing with different materials and styles. You can find ballet flats made of mesh, crochet or even jellylike plastic – the possibilities are endless! Pistachio Featured in everything from egg tarts to ice cream, mochi, and drinks, clamouring for this nutty filling and flavour has caused a pistachio shortage, not unlike matcha. The main culprit, if you ask this author, has to be 'Dubai chocolate', more on that later, which uses the nut as a vital component in its filling. Even beyond menus, the soft colour has also found its way into the 2025 spring/summer collections of brands like Miu Miu, Prada and Alexander McQueen. A promotional photo for Godiva's collaboration with Pop Mart, featuring pistachio flavours and Kasing Lung's character Labubu from his series 'The Monsters'. Dubai chocolate Although this trend began in 2024, it does not appear to be on its way out. Dubai-based chocolatier FIX is credited for this variety, which combines a rich pistachio cream filling with crunchy kataifi pastry, stuffed into a milk chocolate bar. It was first created by the company founder, Sarah Hamouda, as a unique way to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. As the crispy kadayif-pistachio cream chocolate gained popularity, other leading chocolate brands such as Läderach and Lindt began producing their own variations. Social media helped propel the rise of this decadent dessert, and soon the concept was incorporated into various other pastries. In Hong Kong, Godiva launched limited-edition Dubai chocolate soft serves and milkshakes in partnership with one of the other biggest trends of the year – Labubu. Labubu Depending on who you ask, Labubu is equal parts ugly, frightening and adorable. Chances are, you have heard of the furry dolls that have become a global toy sensation, – but do you know about their connection to Hong Kong? Labubu creator Lung Ka-sing, at his studio in Kwun Tong. Photo: Jonathan Wong Labubu is actually the name of an elfish creature featured in The Monsters, a series by Hong Kong-Dutch artist Lung Ka-sing, or Kasing Lung. Born in Hong Kong, Lung and his family immigrated to the Netherlands when he was around six years old. To improve his Dutch, a teacher suggested that he read young adult books with illustrations, especially those about Nordic folklore and mythology. Lung used this mythology to create Labubu and her friends! In mid-2024, Blackpink's Lisa was spotted with a furry toy keychain and also posted about a collection of plush dolls produced by the Chinese company Pop Mart, based on Lung's design. This propelled the character into the spotlight, starting in Thailand, Southeast Asia and East Asia, but quickly sweeping the globe. Fans wait in long queues to grab Pop Mart bling boxes, where you can only discover what you have bought after opening the package. Resell prices have gone up exponentially, and there is even a whole market ecosystem dedicated to accessorising the dolls.


South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Who is Paul Wesley's fiancée, Natalie Kuckenburg? The German-Brazilian model just got engaged to The Vampire Diaries actor in Italy, has her own clothing line – and is half Wesley's age
The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley is engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg after three years of dating. Kuckenburg, who is in her mid-20s, shared a black-and-white photo on July 19 of the couple holding hands, showing off her engagement ring. 'Yes. Always and forever,' she wrote in the caption. Natalie Kuckenburg announced her engagement to Paul Wesley via Instagram. Photo: @nataliekuckenburg/Instagram Advertisement Wesley, 43, who has been married twice before, opted for a more casual selfie of himself and his fiancée on his Instagram stories, with Kuckenburg showing off her brand new ring. Read on to find out more about Paul Wesley's soon-to-be bride and the story behind their Italy proposal. She is a model Natalie Kuckenburg is a model. Photo: @nataliekuckenburg/Instagram Natalie Kuckenburg is a German-Brazilian model and is signed to Iconic Management, according to her bio on the agency's website. Kuckenburg was scouted as a teen and has walked for brands including Tony Ward and Philipp Plein, making her runway debut in 2019 for the Balmain Spring/Summer 2020 show. The model has also graced the cover of magazines such as Harper's Bazaar Brazil and has been featured in several editorials. She has her own clothing brand