Nicole Williams English Recalls the ‘Hardest Part’ About Dating an NFL Player (Exclusive)

Nicole Williams English, a notable figure from the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit” franchise, is married to former NFL player Larry English, who enjoyed a career with the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring. The couple tied the knot in May 2017 and welcomed their daughter, India Moon, in January 2023.

In a recent episode of PEOPLE’s WAG World series, the 42-year-old model shared insights into the complexities of dating a professional athlete, particularly during the early stages of her relationship with Larry. Beginning their romance while he was with the Chargers in 2011, Nicole has described the challenges she faced in navigating their relationship amidst the demands of an NFL career.

One of the primary hurdles she encountered was the extensive time Larry had to spend away from home due to training camps and games. In the interview with WAG World host Skyler Caruso, Nicole recounted how difficult it was to cope with Larry’s long absences. “I think the hardest part was how much he had to be away. Training camp is really rough since they’re gone for maybe a month or two months,” she explained. She added that these separations were tough to bear, particularly since she couldn’t even accompany him to training camps.

Moreover, the uncertainty of Larry’s career added extra stress to their relationship. Nicole expressed her concerns regarding potential team trades, stating, “He signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he retired, so I had to take our dogs, get on a plane, and spend two weeks there, then come home by myself.” These experiences highlighted the fracturing effects that a professional athlete’s career can have on personal life, as she often found herself lonely and managing their responsibilities on her own.

Larry, who was a first-round draft pick in 2009, played with the Chargers until 2013 and concluded his NFL career after a single season with the Buccaneers in 2014. Reflecting on their time together, Nicole shared how much she enjoyed watching him play, stating, “I loved being at the games. When he retired, it hit me hard because I cherished seeing him on the field.” This statement underscores the depth of her support for Larry’s career and the emotional challenges that followed his retirement.

Nicole’s experiences with Larry were also featured in E!’s reality series “WAGS,” which documented the lives of wives and girlfriends of professional athletes during its first three seasons from 2015 to 2017. Through this platform, she chronicled the evolution of their relationship and faced additional scrutiny as public interest in their romance grew.

During the conversation, Nicole touched on the importance of confidence and maturity in sustaining a relationship with someone in the limelight. She acknowledged that their bond strengthened as they navigated the pitfalls of public attention, explaining that understanding the attention Larry garnered from others took time. “When Larry and I were really good, that’s when others wanted him more because they desired what we had,” Nicole revealed.

Trust proved to be another critical aspect of their relationship, one that she admitted took effort to build. Nicole remarked on how she had to learn the significance of allowing space for trust to flourish. “You have to allow things to happen so that they can build the trust,” she explained, underscoring that the journey wasn’t entirely smooth.

Since their wedding and the birth of their child, Nicole says the couple’s trust is now “stronger than ever.” She embraced the lessons learned through their early challenges, declaring, “I definitely grew up. You learn as you go.” This sentiment reflects a belief in continual personal growth within the context of her marriage.

Nicole Williams English’s story highlights the complexities of relationships involving professional athletes, exposing both the difficulties of maintaining companionship during long absences and the necessity of building trust in the face of external pressures. As the couple moves forward in life with their growing family, their experiences illustrate the evolving nature of love and commitment against the backdrop of a demanding and public lifestyle.