Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves celebrated a remarkable dual achievement on the field last Sunday night. Not only did he and his team secure a victory against Atlanta in overtime, clinching a spot in the playoffs, but he also took the momentous step of proposing to his longtime girlfriend, Mikaela Worley.
“I hate losing, so there’s no way I could have done that in the right spirit after a loss,” Reaves explained. He had considered popping the question the previous week but ultimately felt the moment was destined after the victory. On Friday, he had informed Worley’s family about his plans, emphasizing, “If we win this game, it’s destiny.”
Reaves expressed deep gratitude for Worley, noting, “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 every day. She showed up. That’s my best friend. Been my best friend since high school.”
During the game at Northwest Stadium, Reaves dropped to one knee on the field to ask for Worley’s hand in marriage. This significant event followed a challenging period in his career; he underwent surgery for a partially torn ACL in October 2023, which cut his season short. Despite facing setbacks, Reaves was honored as a Pro Bowl special teams player in the 2021 season after establishing himself in the league. His journey through injury has provided him clarity on relationships, reinforcing the importance of support during hard times. “You can tell a lot about somebody when they are going through the worst and how they handle it,” he said.
As one of the few players remaining from Washington’s last playoff appearance in the 2020 season, Reaves’ accomplishments on and off the field signify resilience and hope for both his future and that of the team.
This heartwarming story highlights the power of love and support during challenging times and serves as a reminder that personal victories can parallel professional achievements.