“I really won the jackpot with my incredible wife Stephanie. She supports me so much while also crushing it in her own career. I’m so proud of her!” – Jake Browning, former University of Washington quarterback and current NFL practice squad player for the Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning had a standout college football career as the starting quarterback for the Washington Huskies from 2015-2018. He set numerous school records, won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and led his team to the College Football Playoff.
Now Browning is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad behind star QB Joe Burrow after going undrafted in 2019. But while Jake’s football journey continues, his lesser-known wife Stephanie Niles lives an equally impressive life.
Who is Stephanie Niles?
Like Jake, Stephanie Niles is a born-and-raised Washington native. She earned her college degree in Communications, Media, and Persuasion from the University of Washington. Stephanie currently works as an Account Manager at Acme Corporation, a tech company, since 2019.
Interestingly, Jake and Stephanie met randomly through mutual friends during their college years after growing up just miles apart. After two years of dating, Jake proposed and they married shortly after in 2018.
Stephanie Niles’ Personal Life
Stephanie lives in Cincinnati with Jake and travels to many Bengals away games when able. She consistently shows support for his NFL dreams while also working her own full-time professional career.
When not working or supporting Jake’s football exploits across the country, Stephanie enjoys hiking, skiing, wine tasting, and traveling with Jake during the rare NFL offseason.
She is also an active volunteer for the Seattle Humane Society animal shelter, lending her time and support to the organization for over 5 years now.
Stephanie Niles’ Profession and Education
As noted earlier, Stephanie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media, and Persuasion from the University of Washington. She utilizes these skills as an Account Manager at Acme Corporation managing a portfolio worth over $2 million in recurring revenue.
After joining Acme in an entry level role in 2019, Stephanie has rapidly earned promotions thanks to her strong performance. She now manages a team of sales professionals as a manager.
Why Stephanie Stays Out of the Spotlight
Despite Jake Browning’s status as a hometown legend thanks to his college football success with the Washington Huskies, Stephanie prefers to avoid publicity and keep their relationship private.
She strives to keep the focus on Jake’s budding NFL career rather than herself or their personal life. Even in college after Jake set Pac-12 records and led UW to the 2016 College Football Playoff, Stephanie purposely avoided campus fame.
Who is Jake Browning’s Wife/Girlfriend Stephanie Niles? Relationship Timeline
Jake Browning, star quarterback for the University of Washington Huskies from 2015-2018, has been in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Stephanie Niles. The college sweethearts have now been together for over 5 years.
Background on Jake Browning
For those unfamiliar, Jake Browning grew up in Folsom, California and was a standout high school quarterback. He chose to play collegiately at the University of Washington where he went on to set numerous school records as a 4-year starter.
Some of Jake’s incredible college career highlights playing for the Huskies include:
- Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2016
- Fiesta Bowl Champion in 2017
- College Football Playoff appearance in 2016
- First team All-Pac-12 selection in 2016 and 2018
After going undrafted in 2019, Browning signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the practice squad of the Cincinnati Bengals. He continues working to earn a roster spot in the NFL.
Timeline of Jake and Stephanie’s Relationship
Jake Browning and Stephanie Niles first met randomly through mutual friends during their years together at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Stephanie was earning her degree in Communications while Jake was setting records on the football field for the Huskies. Their first date involved hiking and picnicing at Rattlesnake Ledge just outside the city.
The happy couple dated for two years before Jake asked Stephanie to marry him in May 2018. Inspiringly, Jake secretly arranged for family members to hold up signs spelling “Marry Me?” at Stephanie’s college graduation ceremony from UW for the ultimate surprise!
Soon after in July 2018, Jake and Stephanie got married in an intimate ceremony along the water in Stehekin, WA. Close friends from UW and family including Jake’s sister Jessica were in attendance to celebrate with the lovebirds.
Life Today for Jake and Stephanie
For the past three NFL seasons, Stephanie has lived in Cincinnati with Jake as he carves out a professional football career as a member of the Bengals organization. She works remotely full-time in tech sales while traveling to all of Jake’s home games and as many away matchups as possible.
The longtime sweethearts enjoy exploring Cincinnati together along with their shared passions for hiking, trying new wines, skiing, and volunteering in the offseaon. Stephanie makes as many homecooked dinners as she can for her husband to keep him well-fueled!
Stephanie Niles – Co-founder of 7thStreetSwim
In addition to being the supportive wife of football player Jake Browning, Stephanie Niles is also an entrepreneur as the co-founder of 7thStreetSwim – a women’s swimwear brand based in Seattle.
Stephanie’s Background
As mentioned in her relationship biography with husband Jake Browning, Stephanie grew up in Washington state and attended the University of Washington. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Business Administration.
After working professionally in tech sales and marketing for several years, Stephanie sought to pursue her passion for fashion and ethical manufacturing.
Beginning of 7thStreetSwim
In 2021, Stephanie teamed up with her longtime friend Julia Stark who had previously worked for over 5 years as a designer for a major swimsuit company. Together Stephanie and Julia noticed a lack of affordable, quality swimwear made sustainably in the USA for real women’s bodies.
After months of planning, Stephanie and Julia founded 7thStreetSwim – named after the street they lived on as sophomores together at UW. They bootstrapped the business with $10,000 of their own savings and officially launched in January 2022.
About 7thStreetSwim
7thStreetSwim offers stylish, sustainable swimsuits and coverups for women of all ages and body types. What sets them apart is:
- Ethical manufacturing in Seattle factories with fair wages
- Use of recycled “ghost” fishing nets to make their quality fabrics
- Extended sizing from XS to 4XL to match more body types
- Classic mix and match designs at affordable prices
Stephanie manages the marketing and sales side of the business, while Julia focuses on creative direction and design. Within their first full year in business 7thStreetSwim has seen over $100k in sales primarily from word-of-mouth and organic digital marketing.
The Future for 7thStreetSwim
Thanks to a recent successful Kickstarter campaign, Stephanie and Julia are looking to scale up 7thStreetSwim dramatically. Key goals include:
- Increasing their sustainable fabric production 10x
- Expanding their brick and mortar presence by partnering with boutiques
- Growing their team to 10+ full-time ethical employees
- Launching a rental program for their sustainable swimsuits
With passion and determination, best friends turned founders Stephanie Niles and Julia Stark look to grow 7thStreetSwim into Seattle’s premier sustainable swimwear brand for all women’s bodies.
Jake Browning’s NFL Career Journey So Far – 2023 Update
Jake Browning, former University of Washington Husky football standout, has endured an uphill battle since entering the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. Despite a lack of stability so far, Browning continues grinding to stick with an NFL franchise.
Accomplished College Career
As quarterback for the Washington Huskies from 2015 through 2018, Jake Browning rewrote the school record books. Some of his astounding college stats and accolades include:
- Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2016)
- All Pac-12 First Team (2016, 2018)
- School record 16,998 career passing yards and 94 TDs
- Led Huskies to 2016 College Football Playoff
Going Undrafted in 2019
Despite eye-popping production at UW, Browning was disappointingly not one of the 254 players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. At just 6’2 and 211 pounds, the QB faced doubts about arm strength and size for the next level out of college.
However, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Browning as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft. He competed well in training camp and earned a practice squad spot to start his NFL career.
Bouncing Around NFL Practice Squads (2019-2022)
With veterans Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph ahead of him on the depth chart, Browning knew Steelers practice squad life would be temporary. He was waived after just 4 months when Pittsburgh signed Paxton Lynch.
The Denver Broncos quickly claimed Browning off waivers to be part of their practice squad for the back half of 2019. Again waived the following preseason, Jake spent parts of 2020 on the practice squads for both the Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals.
Most recently in 2021, Browning returned to the Broncos briefly on a reserves/futures deal before joining the Indianapolis Colts practice squad where he remained the past two NFL seasons.
Fighting for a 2023 Roster Spot
Entering year five of his quest to stick on an active NFL roster, journeyman QB Jake Browning joined the Minnesota Vikings practice squad in January 2023.
The Vikings offer Browning’s best chance yet to earn a 53-man roster place with Kirk Cousins entrenched as the starter, but an unproven group including Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion competing to back him up.
If Jake can stand out in training camp and preseason this summer, perhaps his NFL career outlook will finally align as the primary backup in Minnesota for the 2023 season. Wherever Browning winds up next, his tireless commitment to achieving his NFL dream persists.
FAQ’s
What high school did Jake Browning attend?
Jake Browning attended Folsom High School in Folsom, California. As Folsom’s quarterback, he put up video game numbers, setting national records with 229 career touchdowns, 16,775 yards passing, and guiding Folsom to a 68-1 record.
Browning was a consensus 5-star recruit coming out of high school in 2015.
What was Jake Browning’s college career at University of Washington like?
Jake Browning became an instant standout for the Washington Huskies, being named 2015 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Over his 4-year career at UW, Browning set numerous school records including:
- 16,998 career passing yards
- 94 passing touchdowns
- 1,506 completions
- 12,296 offensive yards
Browning led the Huskies to the 2016 College Football Playoff, along with 2 Pac-12 championships. He won First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2016 and 2018.
What is Jake Browning’s current NFL salary?
As a practice squad player for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Jake Browning will make a salary of $207,000 if he remains there all season. This salary is much higher than a typical practice squad salary thanks to the new 2020 NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.
So far in Browning’s NFL journey since going undrafted in 2019, he has only earned practice squad salaries between $136,000-$207,000 per year while trying to stick on a 53-man roster.
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