Cousins' Wedding Band: A Unique Choice

American football quarterback Kirk Cousins has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton Cousins, since 2014. And, unlike many NFL players, he wears his wedding ring while playing. But it's not a traditional gold or platinum band – Cousins opts for a silicone version to avoid the risk of injury. He told USA Today: My wife was thrilled. She loved it and, honestly, after I started wearing it and realised how much my wife was glad that I did, I realised, you know, I think it's a good thing to promote marriage.

Kirk Cousins wears a silicon wedding band while playing for the Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is known for wearing his wedding band while playing. Although it is uncommon for NFL players to wear their wedding rings during games, Cousins wears a silicon band to honour his marriage. He has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton Cousins, since 2014, and the couple has two sons together.

Cousins first started wearing his ring on the field when he played for the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders. He explained that he wanted to promote marriage and that he wanted people to be excited about it:

> "My wife's been a huge supporter to me, and I want people not to be afraid of marriage but to be excited about it."

Cousins also noted that wearing a silicon ring helps him to avoid the risk of injury that comes with wearing a gold or platinum ring. He shared that he has a box of rings in different colours, including camouflage, made by Qalo. The $20 ring allows him to avoid the injury hazards that could come with a traditional wedding band.

Cousins has played for the Minnesota Vikings since 2018, when he signed a three-year, $84 million contract—the richest contract in NFL history at the time. He has since renewed his contract through the 2023 season.

He has been married to Julie Hampton since 2014

Kirk Cousins has been married to Julie Hampton since 2014. The couple first met in 2012 through a mutual family friend and got engaged 18 months later. Cousins proposed to Hampton on a balcony at the Capitol building, enlisting the help of U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga, who he knew from growing up in Michigan.

The couple tied the knot on June 28, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Gardens at Great Oaks in Roswell. They have two sons together: Cooper, born in 2017, and Turner, born in 2019. They also share a beloved dog named Abe, a Labradoodle they adopted when he was 5 months old.

In addition to their shared love for animals, Cousins and Hampton are also dedicated to their charity work. They run the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, which collaborates with organisations such as Bethany Christian Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and International Justice Mission. The foundation is guided by their Christian faith, with a mission statement that includes a quotation from the Bible: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected" (Luke 12:48).

Cousins, a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is known for wearing his wedding band during NFL games. He opts for a silicone version of his ring to avoid injury, and he has expressed his desire to promote marriage and dispel fears about it.

Cousins is not the only NFL player to wear his wedding band on the field

NFL players, including Kirk Cousins, have been spotted wearing their wedding bands on the field. Cousins, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, wears a rubber wedding band during games and practices. He explained that he started doing this after seeing fellow quarterback Andy Dalton do the same. Cousins wears the ring to promote marriage and express his faith. He also noted that it prevents injury and is more convenient than a traditional gold or platinum ring.

In addition to quarterbacks and kickers, some punters have also been known to wear their wedding bands on the field. For instance, Steve Weatherford of the New York Giants wears his ring while training and punting. He mentions that it feels awkward if he takes it off, so it has become a comfort thing for him.

Some NFL players opt for silicone wedding bands instead of the traditional metal rings to avoid injury and for convenience. Silicone rings are also cheaper and come in multiple colors. KC Holiday, the founder of QALO, one of the bigger silicone ring brands, estimates that at least 100 NFL players wear his company's rings.

Cousins' ring was made by a California-based company called Qalo

NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins is known for wearing his wedding band on the field. Cousins, who has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton Cousins, since 2014, sports a black silicone band during practices and games to honour his marriage. The ring, which retails for around $20, is made by a California-based company called Qalo. Cousins explained his decision to wear his wedding band while playing, stating that his wife was thrilled and loved the idea. He also mentioned that it was a way to promote marriage and express his passion for his faith. Cousins has been playing in the NFL since 2012 and has been a prominent figure, known for his talent and devotion to winning. He has played for teams such as the Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, and most recently, the Atlanta Falcons.

Qalo, the company that manufactures Cousins' ring, is based in California. Their silicone rings provide a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional metal wedding bands, especially for those with active lifestyles. The rings are designed to be flexible and durable, allowing them to stretch and return to their original shape. This feature ensures that the ring won't get stuck on your finger during physical activities or put you at risk of ring avulsion, a common injury associated with metal rings.

Cousins' decision to wear a silicone wedding band is not unique among NFL players. Several players across the league have opted for silicone rings to express their commitment while also prioritising safety. The NFL does not prohibit players from wearing metal wedding bands, but it is generally discouraged due to the risk of injury. Cousins himself acknowledged this risk, stating that he would likely lose his metal wedding band if he wore it during practices and workouts.

Cousins' Qalo ring comes in a variety of colours, including camouflage, allowing him to coordinate with his gear or express his personal style. The affordability of the ring, at around $20, also makes it a cost-effective option for athletes who may be concerned about damaging or losing a more expensive ring during their rigorous activities.

In addition to his dedication to his wife, Cousins is also a family man with two sons, Cooper and Turner. He and his wife are involved in various philanthropic endeavours, including their charity, the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, which supports several organisations such as Bethany Christian Services and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Their foundation reflects their shared passion for generosity and using their platform to positively impact the world.

Cousins has two sons with his wife, Cooper and Turner

Kirk Cousins, the NFL quarterback, wears a silicone wedding band on the field and during practice. Cousins has explained that he wears the ring to honour his marriage and to promote marriage in general. He also wears it for safety reasons, as a gold or platinum ring could cause injury.

Cousins has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton Cousins, since 2014. They have two sons together: Cooper, born in 2017, and Turner, born in 2019. The couple first met in 2012 through a mutual friend and, a year and a half later, Cousins proposed on a balcony at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. They tied the knot in June 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cousins and his wife are both passionate about their Christian faith and charitable work. They run the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation together, which supports a number of other organisations, including Bethany Christian Services and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In 2022, they also bought a golf course in Saugatuck, Michigan, to preserve it as a community space.

Cousins has spoken publicly about his family, expressing his joy at being able to share his love of football with his sons. In an interview with People in 2023, Julie said that their sons were becoming football fans and that she looked forward to "more years where they can continue along with us and share that passion with us".

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