Photo: Getty Images
Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves proposed to his now-fiancée Mikaela Worley while celebrating his team's Sunday Night Football overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons to clinch a playoff berth at NorthWest Stadium.
“I hate losing, so there’s no way I could have done that in the right spirit after a loss,” Reaves told reporters after the game via the Associated Press. “That thing was burning a hole in my pocket.”
Reaves, 28, a former All-Pro who has appeared in all 16 games as a reserve, said he decided to propose last week and notified Worley's family about his plans on Friday (December 27).
“If we win this game, it’s destiny,” Reaves said. “She’s earned it. I can’t say enough about her. When I was at my lowest last year, she was there to pick me up everyday. She showed up. That’s my best friend. Been my best friend since high school.”
Reaves had a career season in 2022, having been selected as a First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, before suffering a partially torn ACL that limited him to just five games in 2023. The former University of South Alabama standout re-signed with the Commanders this past offseason and has recorded 20 tackles and one forced fumble in 2024.
Washington's victory clinched its first playoff berth since 2020, currently as the No. 6 seed in the NFC with one regular-season game remaining against the NFC East Division rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday (January 5).