\n Kirk Cousins and Julie Hampton.<\/span> Image Press Agency\/NurPhoto\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Minnesota Vikings quarterback<\/a> Kirk Cousins<\/strong> had a big year in 2012 \u2014 he both joined the NFL and met his future wife<\/a>, Julie Hampton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Shortly after beginning his pro career with the Washington Commanders (then called the Redskins), Cousins met Hampton through a mutual family friend. After less than two years of dating, Cousins popped the question, and the pair tied the knot in June 2014.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want a long engagement at all,\u201d Cousins explained to The Washington Post<\/em><\/a> in December 2013, shortly after giving Hampton a ring. \u201cBut obviously she needs time to prepare and have the wedding she wants and has dreamed about. But I think it\u2019ll just be fun to have family all together in one place for a day. And I just want her to be happy and think positively on it for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Since their wedding, the couple \u2014 who share sons Cooper and Turner \u2014 have devoted their spare time to charity<\/a> as cofounders of the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, which works with organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the International Justice Mission.<\/p>\n The duo are also animal lovers<\/a> and have fostered a number of dogs over the years. In 2019, they adopted a Labradoodle named Abe, who quickly became a beloved member of the family. \u201cWe had tried out all different breeds and sizes and we had fun with that. But we still could not really agree with what kind we both liked,\u201d Hampton explained in a 2022 interview published on the Vikings\u2019 website. \u201cBut Abe is awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n Keep scrolling for Cousins and Hampton\u2019s complete relationship timeline:\n<\/p>\n A family friend introduced Cousins to Hampton shortly after Cousins began his career in the NFL, and the duo soon started dating.<\/p>\n Cousins popped the question in Washington, D.C., on the balcony of the office of the Speaker of the House. \u201cI was extremely nervous,\u201d Cousins recalled to The Washington Post<\/em> shortly after his proposal. \u201cOn the way down driving the car, as we got close to the Capitol building, I was holding her hand, and she goes, \u2018Why are your hands cold and sweaty?\u2019 I said, \u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 but I knew it was because I was super nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n Cousins and Hampton wed in Atlanta. Since then, Cousins has worn his wedding band on the field. \u201cMy wife was thrilled,\u201d Cousins told USA Today<\/em><\/a> in 2016. \u201cShe loved it and, honestly, after I started wearing it and realized how much my wife was glad that I did, I realized \u2026 I think it\u2019s a good thing to promote marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple welcomed their first child, son Cooper.<\/p>\n Cousins and his wife starred in a Sleep Number commercial with baby Cooper.<\/p>\n Cousins and Hampton became parents of two with the arrival of son Turner. \u201cWelcome to the world, little buddy,\u201d Cousins wrote via Instagram at the time. \u201cMom and baby are doing great, and Cooper is already loving his new role as a big brother!\u201d<\/p>\n Cousins and Hampton purchased Clearbrook Golf Course in Saugatuck, Michigan. \u201cWest Michigan is a special community, and we have enjoyed living in Saugatuck\/Douglas since we built our home here in 2018,\u201d the duo said in a statement at the time. \u201cOur family would prefer [Clearbrook] not become a housing development or summer rental community. We want to invest in this great community, and we see this purchase as an opportunity to do just that, maintaining the life of a golf course that has been in place since 1926.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple appeared in Netflix\u2019s docuseries Quarterback<\/em>, which also featured Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes<\/strong><\/a> and Atlanta Falcons QB Marcus Mariota<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Minnesota](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-Kirk-Cousins-and-Wife-Julie-Hamptons-Relationship-Timeline-Inline-02.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Kirk Cousins and Julie Hampton.<\/span> Courtesy of Julie Hampton\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n2012<\/h3>\n
November 2013<\/h3>\n
June 2014<\/h3>\n
![\"Minnesota](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-Kirk-Cousins-and-Wife-Julie-Hamptons-Relationship-Timeline-Inline-01.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Julie Hampton and Kirk Cousins with their sons Cooper and Turner.<\/span> Courtesy of Kirk Cousins\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSeptember 2017<\/h3>\n
September 2018<\/h3>\n
March 2019<\/h3>\n
November 2022<\/h3>\n
July 2023<\/h3>\n