Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is experiencing what can only be described as a golden year filled with professional triumphs and personal milestones. The NFL star recently shared exhilarating news that he and his fiancée Annabella Campagna are expecting their first child together - a baby boy due in April 2026.
A Year of Celebrations
The announcement comes as the latest in a series of joyful events for the couple. In March 2024, Stingley signed a monumental $90 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. This career-defining moment was followed by another personal milestone in October when he proposed to his longtime girlfriend Annabella Campagna during his bye week.
Now, the couple has shared their most intimate news yet through a breathtaking Instagram reveal on November 25. Their announcement featured 14 captivating maternity photographs that immediately captured the hearts of fans and followers across social media platforms.
Enchanting Castle Photoshoot
The newly engaged couple chose a vintage castle as the backdrop for their maternity announcement, creating a fairytale-like setting for their special revelation. The photos showcase sweeping staircases, grand windows with decorative ironwork, and lush courtyard gardens that provided a romantic atmosphere for the shoot.
In the first image that has since gone viral, Derek stands slightly above Annabella on the castle stairs, wrapping her in a gentle embrace. One of his hands clasps hers while the other tenderly displays the sonogram of their baby boy. Their coordinated outfits in soft shades of off-white, beige, cream, and brown perfectly complemented the castle's timeless aesthetic.
Stingley sported a short-sleeved collared shirt with vertical stripes and textured patterns in warm browns and beige tones. His relaxed beige trousers, cinched with a drawstring waist, created a casual yet sophisticated look completed with a beige beanie, watch, and pale sneakers.
Annabella looked ethereal in a dreamy all-white ensemble featuring a long-sleeved, open-front top that tied delicately at the bust, revealing her growing baby bump beneath the crinkled fabric. She paired this with a flowing white maxi skirt featuring a tiered ruffle hem that swayed gracefully with her movements. Her light brown hair with golden highlights cascaded freely around her shoulders, while subtle nude makeup and a natural pregnancy glow illuminated her face.
Heartfelt Caption and Special Details
The couple accompanied their photo series with an emotional caption that read: "Baby Boy, Mom and Dad love you so much already, it can't even be explained.. Forever and More. April can't come fast enough??"
Several touching details stood out in the photographs. Annabella wore slender beaded chains, one featuring a "24" pendant honoring Derek's jersey number, along with her engagement ring. In one particularly sweet image, Annabella perches on Derek's lap while he cradles a tiny white cloth embroidered with "Coming Soon" and a heart symbol.
Another powerful shot shows Derek's hands gently displaying a strip of monochrome sonogram images, providing a glimpse of the little life they eagerly await. The photos capture various tender moments between the couple, from Derek gently kissing Annabella's cheek to both gazing lovingly at her pregnant belly.
The natural surroundings of ferns and lush green plants created a peaceful setting that highlighted the couple's genuine warmth and everlasting affection for each other. As they relax on a black wrought-iron bench framed by ivy-draped stucco walls, their happiness is palpable even through the photographs.
This pregnancy announcement marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for Derek Stingley Jr. and Annabella Campagna, who have transformed 2024 into a year of unprecedented professional success and deeply personal joy.
