Jade Cargill, known for her dominance in WWE, shares a lesser-known side of her life: her marriage to legendary Major League Baseball star Brandon Phillips. The story behind Jade Cargill marriage to MLB star Brandon Phillips offers a glimpse into their unlikely connection, built outside the spotlight of wrestling and baseball.
While wrestling fans often celebrate couples within the industry, such as Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch or Jon Moxley and Renee Paquette, Jade Cargill’s relationship stands out because her partner comes from another sporting world. Brandon Phillips, though not a wrestler, achieved fame playing for several top baseball teams over a lengthy career. Their partnership bridges two demanding professional sports, making their union an intriguing narrative for fans of both worlds.
Brandon Phillips’ Baseball Career and Achievements
Brandon Phillips spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for five franchises and becoming most synonymous with his decade-long tenure at second base for the Cincinnati Reds. Earlier, Phillips began his major league journey with the Cleveland Indians, before moving on to one-year stints with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, and Boston Red Sox as his playing years wound down. By the time he retired in 2018, his legacy included 2,029 career hits, 211 home runs, and 951 RBIs, accomplishments that put him just below baseball’s Hall of Fame threshold, but firmly in the hearts of Cincinnati fans.
During his career, Phillips was a three-time All-Star, won four Gold Glove Awards for fielding excellence, and secured the 2011 Silver Slugger Award, marking him as one of the best hitters at his position. The impact of his performance made him a household name among baseball followers, even as fans from other sports may not have recognized his contributions at first glance.
The Unconventional Story of How Jade and Brandon Met
Jade Cargill and Brandon Phillips’ paths first crossed far from the arenas and stadiums where they would become famous. In 2015, Cargill was twenty-two, working as a model, and living in France. The initial connection came through a shared manager, who was a childhood friend of Phillips. Their chance meeting happened at a Starbucks, as Cargill described in her Player’s Tribune article, marking the start of their relationship.
“I met Brandon when I was 22 years old, in 2015. I’d started modeling, and my manager was actually a childhood friend of his. And one day, my manager and I were meeting at a Starbucks — and then directly after, I guess he was meeting up with Brandon. So I was walking out the door as Brandon was walking in, like a rom-com or something. And I guess he noticed me and asked about me. Like, “Who was that??”” —Jade Cargill, as written in The Player’s Tribune
Despite Phillips’ active baseball career in Cincinnati at the time and Cargill’s reservations about dating another athlete, he remained persistent for months. She was hesitant, living in another country and focusing on her modeling pursuits. Eventually, his determination paid off.
“But he was trying, trying, trying. And eventually I was like, ‘Alright. Give him my number. Let’s see where this goes.’”
—Jade Cargill
The eleven-year age gap did not deter them, nor did their disparate careers and demanding schedules. Their bond deepened, and the couple decided to marry. Cargill would later describe Phillips as her grounding influence, someone whose personality meshed with her own and brought her calm through life’s storms.
“Brandon is a goofy, fun-loving man, and I’m very similar, so we just mesh. He’s the person that calms me down, I guess you could say. He’s my peace.”
—Jade Cargill
Building a Family and a New Chapter in Wrestling
The couple’s relationship continued to evolve as Jade Cargill transitioned into professional wrestling. With a confidence and athleticism shaped by supportive family and partner, Cargill entered the WWE scene after a successful stint with AEW, where she was the first-ever TBS Champion and enjoyed an undefeated streak.
Everything shifted when Cargill met former wrestling star Mark Henry. Inspired to try out professional wrestling, she set out on a new career path, facing significant risk by leaving her comfort zone. Brandon Phillips supported her at every step, even though he had his doubts about the transition. Cargill wrote about their pivotal conversation and how she convinced him that wrestling was her calling.
“And I just said to him, ‘Brandon, as an athlete, you should understand more than anybody. I never got the chance to see what I can really do. This is my second chance.’ I think he got it when I put it like that.”
—Jade Cargill
Long before Cargill made her name as a wrestler, the couple welcomed their daughter, Bailey Quinn, in 2017. Their family life expanded to also include business ventures, with the two co-owning a franchise in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league, the Texas Smoke. Phillips has become a visible supporter of Cargill’s wrestling success, attending several of her matches in both AEW and WWE, often spotted by fans cheering from the crowd.
Phillips’ Support and Family Appearances at Wrestling Events
Brandon Phillips’ presence has been felt at major wrestling shows. He has attended many of Jade’s important matches, sometimes sitting in the front row as she competes on SmackDown. Their daughter Bailey has even been part of storylines, and public displays of affection have captured fans’ attention – such as when Cargill ran out of the ring during a SmackDown event in Dayton, Ohio, to kiss her husband with the crowd watching.
Phillips not only cheers his wife from the stands but often accompanies her behind the scenes, underscoring his support for Jade’s escalating career in WWE. Even after returning to his seat to watch the remainder of the show, he remains a consistent fixture, embodying the crossover appeal between their respective sports worlds.
The Broader Significance of Their Story
The story of Jade Cargill marriage to MLB star Brandon Phillips serves as a testament to the possibility of success, partnership, and family across challenging professions. By combining their achievements in baseball and wrestling, the couple demonstrates that resilience, persistent effort, and mutual support can yield both personal and professional rewards. As Cargill continues to rise in WWE and Phillips supports her journey, their narrative will likely remain of interest to fans across sports and entertainment. Their partnership hints at more milestones yet to come, whether in the ring or beyond, inspiring supporters and bridging communities from wrestling arenas to baseball fields.
