In a powerful move challenging sports culture stereotypes, Brooklyn Adams, the longtime girlfriend of Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, is publicly rejecting the commonly used 'WAG' label. The term, an acronym for 'Wives and Girlfriends' of athletes, is often seen as a pop-culture shorthand that boxes women into a singular, identity-erasing category.
More Than Just a Label: A Stand for Individual Identity
In an interview with People magazine published on Tuesday, November 2, the 26-year-old nursing graduate articulated her discomfort with the tag. Adams, who has been with St. Brown since their high school days, emphasised that her identity extends far beyond her relationship. "We're more than wives and girlfriends of athletes," she stated. "I have a name, and if you got to know me, then you'd realize that I'm more than just a girlfriend." For Adams, the issue is not the public attention that comes with dating a rising NFL star, but the fundamental need to be recognised for her own goals and personal accomplishments.
Adams recently collaborated with fashion brand Abercrombie for its "In Her Own League" campaign, which creatively reframed WAG to mean "Woman Achieving Greatness and Success." While she appreciated the positive spin, she remains firm in her rejection of the original title. "I love that they put a spin on that. I don't like the WAG title. Nothing against anybody who likes it... But to be given that title, I'm not a fan," Adams explained.
A Divided Opinion Among Sports Partners
The perspective on the WAG label is not uniform across the sports world. Some, like tennis influencer Morgan Riddle (partner of player Taylor Fritz), have embraced it, comparing it to the term 'influencer.' Several NFL partners also don't mind the classification. Rachel Bush, wife of Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer, has said the label doesn't bother her because she is confident in her own multifaceted life. Similarly, Savanna Jackson, who is engaged to Georgia Bulldogs star Malaki Starks, once called it "trendy" and values the supportive community it can foster among partners of athletes.
However, Adams finds strong allies in other high-profile sports partners who share her aversion. Kylie Kelce, wife of former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, expressed on her podcast Not Gonna Lie in February that she dislikes the "negative connotation" associated with the term. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk's wife, fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk, agreed vehemently, stating that the word "makes me crawl out of my skin."
A Bond Forged Long Before the NFL Spotlight
The relationship between Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brooklyn Adams is a testament to a partnership built on a foundation far removed from professional football. The couple first met during their sophomore year at Servite High School in Anaheim, California. They were paired for an English class project, which sparked a friendship that gradually deepened into romance. By the end of that school year, they began dating.
Their commitment was tested when they attended colleges in different states, navigating a long-distance relationship. Throughout St. Brown's journey to the NFL, Adams has been a constant source of support, attending games and sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Their authentic connection, visible to fans, has made them one of the most admired young couples in the league, proving that their bond is defined by shared history and mutual respect—not by any external label.
Adams's stance highlights a growing conversation about agency, identity, and recognition for the partners of professional athletes, urging the public and media to see them as individuals with their own narratives and aspirations.
