Who is Katya McCarthy? Inside Giants QB JJ McCarthy's love story with his high school sweetheart
JJ McCarthy, the New York Giants' quarterback, tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Katya Kuropas, in April 2026. Their love story, full of trials, blossomed even amid the demands of a professional football career. They joyfully welcomed...
The beauty of their relationship is that it began long before JJ McCarthy became an NFL star. (Image Credit: Instagram/@Katya)
Star quarterback JJ McCarthy is in the limelight especially after his high-profile move from the Minnesota Vikings to New York Giants. The 23-year-old quarterback's childhood love and now his wife, Katya, is also getting attention as she is someone special whom you will find cheering him in most of the games. The beauty of their relationship is that it began long before McCarthy became an NFL star. It started way back when they were teenagers attending high school in Illinois. The couple has witnessed several defining moments that have changed their lives since the time they started dating to their experience at the national championship of college football. And now they are happily married and have a baby boy, completing their transformation from high school sweethearts into a family of three.
WHO IS KATYA MCCARTHY? HOW DID SHE MEET GIANTS QUARTERBACK JJ?
Katya McCarthy, born as Katya Kuropas, is the childhood sweetheart and current wife of New York Giants quarterback JJ McCarthy. As her husband has mostly been in the limelight throughout his early life, Katya has remained out of the spotlight.
According to Sports Illustrated, the love story between the two started on October 8, 2018, at Nazareth Academy, where they were students, La Grange Park, Illinois.
Back then, McCarthy was still a teenager aspiring to be a professional footballer. Little did both of them know that their lives were about to change drastically within the next eight years.
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Their relationship experienced an initial test when McCarthy went on to IMG Academy in Florida to pursue his football career in high school. Even with the distance that was involved, it did not stop the young couple from continuing with their relationship.
<p>(Image Credit: Instagram/@Katya)<br></p> Katya supported McCarthy as he went ahead to join the University of Michigan, where he became one of the best quarterback prospects in college football.
Katya continued to be an integral part of McCarthy’s life through his career transition from college football to the NFL, backing him at all the games and celebrating his successes.
Their relationship eventually followed McCarthy from Minnesota to New York after the quarterback was traded to the Giants in 2026.
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WHEN DID JJ MARRY KATYA? INSIDE THEIR ROMANTIC WEDDING IN MEXICO
After more than five years of relationship, McCarthy took it to the next level. In January 2024, shortly after Michigan's national championship triumph, the quarterback proposed to his longtime girlfriend.
The couple announced their engagement on Instagram with photographs featuring their dog, Marley.
"Me, You & Marley Forever & Ever," they wrote in the announcement.
Their commitment was yet another step forward in a relationship that had overcome the difficulties of schooling, distance dating, and McCarthy's growing football career. Over two years later, the two got married.
According to Sports Illustrated, McCarthy and Katya tied the knot on April 11, 2026, in a lovely outdoor wedding held at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in San José del Cabo, Mexico.
For this couple, whose union has already been blessed with their first-born, their marriage is the start of yet another journey.
<p>(Image Credit: Instagram/@Katya)<br></p>
ROME MICAH: JJ MCCARTHY AND KATYA'S ONLY CHILD
JJ and Katya were blessed with their firstborn son, Rome Micah McCarthy, in September 2025. Previously, the couple had revealed their pregnancy to the world through social media, expressing their joy at being parents-to-be.
"The best surprises come when you least expect them," they wrote on Instagram while announcing the pregnancy.
The birth of their child was a huge turning point in their lives, especially for Katya, who was only 21 years old at the time of her pregnancy.
According to Men’s Journal, Katya openly shared about her experience of being a young mother while celebrating the first birthday of Rome in 2026.
"Being only 21 years old when I found out I was pregnant came with a lot of fear, but I quickly learned that there’s literally nothing better than being a mom, especially yours!!" she wrote.
Her emotional message gave an insight into the private life of the family. At the same time, McCarthy is going through yet another important transition in his professional life.
The quarterback was signed by the Giants as a result of a trade from Minnesota and recently got a hip pointer during New York's 19-11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
McCarthy had thrown for slightly more than 63% completion and had accumulated 622 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his first three games as a Giant. As McCarthy settles down in New York, Katya and their baby son continue to be an integral part of the process.
