Although the Atlanta Falcons lost to the Washington Commanders 30-24 in overtime on Sunday in Week 17, it still didn’t damper Michael Penix Jr.’s fiancée Olivia Carter’s excitement over her husband-to-be’s first touchdown of his NFL career. Penix threw for over 200 yards and one touchdown and almost took down the Washington Commanders on the road.
Carter posted, simply: “So proud of you.”
Who Is Olivia Carter?
The pair just announced their engagement over the Christmas holidays on Instagram.
On Saturday, the Falcons posted their congratulations to Penix and his fiancée, Carter, on their engagement. In the photo, Penix is holding what appears to be a large bouquet of roses while his new bride-to-be shows off the ring.
Their engagement photo was posted on Instagram with the caption:
“The sweetest love ❤️ Olivia and Michael 12.24.2024,” the caption of a joint Instagram post shared on Penix and Carter’s pages read, revealing the proposal took place on Christmas Eve.
According to People, the pair have been dating for about a year. Carter is from Washington state and was an athlete herself. She played soccer for the University of Nevada Reno.
In a 2017 interview, Carter talked about her family background.
“We all do sports.”
“We all have to do something,” she said. “My mom was a big track star. I wanted to be like her, so I decided to pursue it.”
“They come to every meet,” Carter said of her parents. “I don’t remember a meet they’ve missed.”
Carter graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2022 with a degree in biology. In the past, Penix has often praised his bride-to-be and she was by his side when he received the call from the Falcons that they drafted him.
“I was shopping with my girlfriend and we were at Costco. I got the call, and they told me I was gonna be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season,” he said. “I was actually getting a hot dog, and whenever I got the call I wasn’t hungry no more.”
The Falcons, who were once leading the NFC South, now find themselves once again fighting for their playoff lives; still, Penix has looked good since the Falcons decided to start him at QB in Week 16.
So far, it has paid off. Penix has played well since he has gotten the starting nod, replacing Kirk Cousins who started off the season hot but recently struggled in the Falcons’ losses. It sounds like Penix has a solid support system behind him.