Jeremy Reaves Proposes To Girlfriend Following Team’s First Playoff Berth In Years

It was a night to remember for Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves for reasons that went far beyond the final score.

After helping his team secure their first NFL playoff berth since 2020 with a dramatic 30-24 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons on "Sunday Night Football," Reaves added another unforgettable moment to the evening.

Amid the post-game celebrations, with the roaring crowd at Northwest Stadium still savoring the victory, Jeremy Reaves made his way to the sideline, hand in hand with his long-term girlfriend, Mikaela Worley.

With cameras flashing and teammates looking on, Reaves helped Worley down from the stands, dropped to one knee, and proposed. Overcome with emotion, Worley sank to the ground, tears streaming down her face, before nodding and saying a resounding, "Yes." The two embraced as teammates ran over to share in the joyous moment, creating a picture-perfect ending to an already electric night.

“Glad we got to share that moment with the best fans in the world!” Reeves posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, after the game.

Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico provided a heartfelt commentary on the moment, which was beautifully captured by NBC's broadcast cameras.

"Jeremy Reaves, who played 22 special teams snaps, has the most special one of all. Taking a knee at the end of the game for victory... Of course she said yes, you're in the playoffs now!" said Tirico.

Reaves's teammates were ecstatic for him, and his fiancée shared an enthusiastic hug with Commanders punter Tress Way before she and Reaves made their way down the tunnel toward the locker room.

After the win and the proposal, Reaves spoke to reporters, admitting, “I hate losing, so there’s no way I could have done that in the right spirit after a loss. That thing was burning a hole in my pocket.”

The 28-year-old Reaves had considered proposing last week but ultimately decided to go through with it after informing Worley’s family on Friday.

“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.”

“You can tell a lot about somebody when they are going through the worst and how they handle it,” Reaves added of the bump in his career. Reaves underwent surgery for a partially torn ACL in October 2023, which prematurely ended his season. After earning NFL All-Pro honors as a special teams player in the 2021 season—finally securing a full-time role in the league—the injury once again cast uncertainty over his career.

"I was going through the worst last year coming off an ACL (tear)," he continued. "Couldn’t do anything, couldn’t be my own man and she was the crutch there when I couldn’t do it myself.”

The Commanders' playoff-clinching win was nothing short of thrilling, led by standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft and a former Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, Daniels showcased poise and precision under pressure. His game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz in overtime sealed the victory, preventing the Falcons from getting an offensive possession in the extra period.

But the win wasn’t without its challenges. Both teams traded scores throughout the game, keeping fans on edge. Down 17-7 at halftime, Daniels and the Commanders offense fought their way back into contention. A critical two-yard rushing touchdown from Chris Rodriguez early in the fourth quarter gave Washington their first lead since the opening moments of the game.

As the final whistle blew and the playoff spot was secured, the night became even more magical with Reaves’ heartfelt proposal.