Jul 20, 2026, 1:30 PM CUT
Ex-Broncos star’s wife reveals devastating personal family update
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 28: Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner 66 walks off the field at halftime during the game against the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Cardinals at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251228161
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 28: Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner 66 walks off the field at halftime during the game against the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Cardinals at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251228161
Former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dalton Risner and his wife, Whitney, are going through a heartbreaking loss.
Whitney shared the news on Instagram, just weeks after the couple had announced they were expecting their first child. The couple revealed they lost their baby boy after 16 weeks of pregnancy.
“At 16 weeks, Dalton and I found out we lost our sweet baby boy. I wish I was writing any other post than this right now,” Whitney said in a post on Instagram on July 18.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 21: Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner 66 looks on during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings on September 21st, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire NFL: SEP 21 Bengals at Vikings EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250921202
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 21: Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner 66 looks on during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings on September 21st, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire NFL: SEP 21 Bengals at Vikings EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250921202
Risner married his wife, Whitney (née Jones), in June 2022. His wife is a business owner and a social media influencer who has 239k followers on Instagram. She announced her pregnancy on June 21 through an Instagram post. The heartbreaking update came almost a month later.
"This loss has introduced me to a depth of pain and heartbreak that I never knew existed. It feels like I’ve lost so much… our precious baby boy, pieces of myself, and the future I had planned out for the past 4 months," she added in the Instagram post.
She reflected that sharing her life online isn't just about the happy moments, as it also involves opening up about the experiences that are the hardest to endure.
After leaving Denver following the 2022 season, Risner spent 2023 to 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings. He now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals and started 11 of the 14 games he played in last season.
What really convinced Dalton Risner to return to the Bengals?
Dalton Risner had more than football to think about before returning to the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran guard said his wife, Whitney, played a big part in the decision after the city welcomed her and supported her business.
“So that's my best friend. I'm different from most people in that, like, if my wife's not happy, I'm not going to be happy,” Risner said while speaking with Local 12's Yanni Tragellis as reported by SI. “We can't go out in public without getting a few Who-Deys. And honestly, let's be real, honest, and candid. 90% of the time, people recognize her from social media."
He played 767 snaps at right guard and earned a 69.4 overall PFF grade in 2025. The 31-year-old re-signed with Cincinnati this spring and is now preparing for his first Bengals training camp.
However, in such a crucial moment, Risner witnessed a personal setback.
Send Dalton and Whitney Risner your support in the comments.
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Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar