Jonathan Taylor’s Father Jonathan James: Career, Family & More
By James Austin
Jonathan Taylor’s Father Jonathan James: Career, Family & More
December 21, 2026
This article was last updated by Sujan on June 14, 2026
Parents play a significant role in shaping the life of their kids, and NFL star Jonathan Taylor’s father, Jonathan James, did the same.
Everyone looks upon the hard-working & rising NFL star Jonathan Taylor, a running back for Indiana Colts and the 2026 Pro Bowl. Yet Taylor’s success could not have soared without the help of his dad, who groomed him and always had his back.
Despite the differences between Taylor’s parents, they never flinched to raise him together with love and values.
And the fruitful result came in after all these years- Jonathan Taylor’s father & mother are proud of him. The 2026-23 season is his third NFL season.
Jonathan James, Father Of NFL Player Jonathan Taylor (Source: WISH-TV)Jonathan James (Jonathan Taylor’s father), as a former sportsman himself, had so much to offer to his son.
In this article, we have tried our best to gather all the available information about Jonathan’s dad and compile them all. Let’s dig in!
Jonathan Taylor’s Father, Jonathan James | Quick Facts
Who Is Jonathan Taylor’s Father, Jonathan James?
Jonathan James is a former basketball player who got wide fame as the father of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts player Jonathan Taylor.
James was born in late 1960 in the United States. He is in his 60s as of May 2026.
Taylor’s father is an alumnus of San Fransisco State University- he played basketball for the Gators from 1982 to 1986. But he never made up to the NBA.
Parents Of Jonathan Taylor Were Never Married
The NFL running back Taylor is the son of Jonathan James and Elizabeth Taylor. His parents never married and separated after his birth (b. January 19, 1999, Salem, New Jersey).
Jonathan Taylor was raised by his single mother, Elizabeth, with four older siblings. As a result, he uses his mom’s maiden name ‘Taylor.’
Jonathan Taylor With His Mother, Sister, And Brother (Source: Instagram)As reported, Elizabeth Taylor worked as a medical technology staff at a local hospital. She even worked during night shifts to support the family.
Despite not living with Elizabeth, Jonathan James co-raised his son Jonathan Taylor with her.
Is Jonathan Taylor’s Father Jonathan James Close With Him?
Yes, he and his father are close. James has remained by Taylor’s side since his childhood. Moreover, Jonathan James played a crucial role in his upbringing, inspiring him to become a professional athlete.
As per online sources, he was not as strict as Taylor’s mother, Elizabeth- but would find ways to encourage him to enjoy time on the fields rather than playing Xbox games.
His parents played an instrumental role in making Jonathan what he is today.
After discovering that Jonathan Taylor was into space science, they bought him a telescope on his birthday. Later, upon realizing the potential of Jonathan in athletics, James leaned Taylor’s interest in them.
Funny Yet True | Jonathan Taylor Came Into Football Accidentally
Jonathan Taylor accidentally had a football interest. Loaded with science classes (astronomy and physics), the New Jersey-born was in 7th grade and spent most of his time with his cousin Armani.
But one day, he discovered that Armani was playing football and wanted to do the same. He asked his mother who would let him into playing while his father mentored him.
The curiosity on a whim later turned into his passion.
While at Salem High School, as a senior, Taylor rushed 2,815 rushing yards to set a New Jersey record rolling down the previous record of NFL’s running back Corey Clement.
Check Out This Video: Taylor & His Mother Talk On His Football Journey
With 234.6 yards a game and 35 touchdowns as a senior, his high school stats was 4,642 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.
In addition, Jonathan Taylor ran in tracks- he won the 100-meter state title as a junior.
Jonathan Taylor’s Father, Jonathan James | A Cheerleader For His Son
Ever since Taylor began playing football, his father has become more of a cheerleader to him.
From high school to his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and now in NFL with Indianapolis Colts, Jonathan James supports him.
During the 2026-21 season, James witnessed his son break the franchise record during his rookie year with the Colts.
In the 28-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 3, 2026, Jonathan Taylor ran 253 yards.
LIVE — Jonathan Taylor’s dad Jonathan James, w/ discussing his son’s record 253 yard performance.
“It is a dream.”
— Charlie Clifford (@cliffWISH8)
In an interview with WISH-TV shortly after that game, James said how impressed and overwhelmed he was, “It’s like a dream! You know? It’s not my son, is it? It’s Jonathan! Wow, it’s great!”.
James also claimed that the NFL moved too quickly for his son at first, but things were settling down, and this youngster was finding his rhythm.
Reportedly, he has never missed any of the Colts’ games.
Brief On NFL Player Jonathan Taylor
The 2-time Doak Walker Award winner at college was NCAA’s sixth-leading rusher all-time. He was the only athlete to dash for more than 6,000 yards in three years.
After skipping his senior year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Jonathan Taylor became the 41st pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He became one of four players from Wisconsin eligible in the draft; the other three were Jonah Jackson, Tyler Biadasz, and Jake Fromm.
He joined Michael Pittman Jr. (WR), Julian Blackmon (S), Jacob Eason (QB), and Danny Pinter (G) as a rookie.
Jonathan Taylor (Source: Instagram)Other notable players in the 2026 NFL Draft were , , Jeff Okudah, Andrew Thomas, , and , among others.
In his rookie season (2026-21), Jonathan started in 13 out of 15 game appearances. He rushed 1169 yards and got 11 receiving touchdowns with 36 receptions.
The 2026-22 season (the second of his four-year deal) saw him a career-high 1811 rushing yards while making 18 rushing touchdowns on 40 receptions.
Taylor Has A Girlfriend
The 2026 Pro Bowl and the Bert Bell Awardee is currently in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend, .
The two began dating during their high school days in Salem- they are allegedly together since January 2016.
In March 2026, Jonathan and Ayanna confirmed their engagement via Instagram.
NFL Player Jonathan Taylor And His Girlfriend Ayanna Chapman (Source: Instagram)Ayanna Chapman is also active on Instagram- the duo often mention each other on their posts.
Jonathan Taylor’s girlfriend-turned-fiance Ayanna (b. February 17, 1999) is one of four children to Eddie and Lydia Chapman.
At Salem High School, she played as a field hockey midfielder and later became a member of the National Honor Society. While her boyfriend Taylor chose Wisconsin, she enrolled at Ball State University and earned a degree in political science.
Jonathan Taylor’s Father | Net Worth
The wealth of the player’s father Jonathan James is under wraps, but he has made enough to live a comfortable life.
After quitting basketball in the 80s, he is now into charity work- he volunteered for the Operation India project and served as a peer tutor for the community food drive.
His son Jonathan Taylor, an NFL player, owns an estimated net worth of $4 million as of May 2026.
On May 15, 2026, Taylor signed a four-year contract worth $7.28 million with Indianapolis Colts. It saw him an average annual salary of $1.95 million.
After Nyheim Hynes signed a three-year, $18.6 million contract with Indianapolis before the start of the 2026 NFL season, there was some speculation that he and Hynes may split the workload.
However, a decisive October in 2026 put the doubters to rest. Jonathan had three 100-yard rushing performances in the second month of the NFL season, including 145 yards on October 17 in a 31-3 victory over the Houston Texans.
FAQs
Is Jonathan Taylor's father on social media?
Jonathan James (father of Jonathan Taylor) is not on any social media. But his son Taylor is active on both Instagram and Twitter. Also, it is not unlikely that the son might post about his father someday on his social media.
Who Is Wife Of Jonathan James?
Jonathan James divorced his then-wife Elizabeth Taylor in the late 90s, with whom he shares a son Jonathan Taylor, an NFL player.
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Aayusha Bhattarai
Aayusha Bhattarai is a dedicated writer with a passion for uncovering the fascinating stories behind athletes' lives. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings readers on a journey through the triumphs, struggles, and inspirations of their favorite players.
Expertise:
Athlete Profiles Net Worth
Highlights
- Aayusha explores the off-field lives of athletes, from their hobbies and interests to their family dynamics.
- She keeps readers informed with the latest news and developments in the world of sports.
Experience
Aayusha's passion for sports journalism stems from her love of both writing and athletics. With a background in journalism and a keen interest in sports, she combines her talents to deliver compelling stories that resonate with readers.
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