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Two NFL Stars Have Revealed That They're First Cousins

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 12, 2024 5:57 PM ET

There's been no shortage of family members who have played in the NFL through the years, though far fewer that have both played at the same time and been elite players to boot. Today we learned that two stars on offense are cousins.

On Thursday, Dannie Rogers of Lions TV Network revealed that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is actually first cousins with Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowl running back Kyren Williams. It's a pretty interesting factoid that isn't available on either player's Wikipedia page. Rogers explained that Jameson was the one who told her this week.

"#Lions Jameson Williams and #Rams Kyren Williams are cousins. Actual first cousins lol," Rogers wrote on X.

#Lions Jameson Williams and #Rams Kyren Williams are cousins. Actual first cousins lol
— Dannie (@dannierogers___) December 12, 2024

It does make sense though when you look into their backgrounds online just a bit. The two of them were both born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, though that's really where their paths diverge.

Jameson Williams initially committed to playing college football at Ohio State, where he was seldom used for his first two seasons before transferring to Alabama in 2021. As a junior for the Crimson Tide he led the SEC in receiving yards, yards per catch and touchdowns with 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. He earned First-Team All-American and All-SEC honors before going No. 12 overall to the Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Kyren Williams went to Notre Dame, where he became the starter in his second year, recording back-to-back seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and Second-Team All-American honors in 2021. He was selected 164th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season he earned Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors after rushing for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns.

If the pair have any other cousins or relatives playing football right now, they're in good company.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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