Wife of Chiefs’ Bryan Cook Shares Their Sweet Love Story — From the College Cafeteria to His NFL ‘Dream’ (Exclusive)

Jayla Thornton-Cook and Bryan Cook have a full life together, with a newborn daughter and demanding professional sports careers — but it all started in the Howard University cafeteria.

When Jayla met her now-husband, Bryan, in 2017, they were both entering their freshman year at Howard. Jayla, a New Jersey native, played on the women’s basketball team, while Bryan attended on a football scholarship. They quickly became friends during a summer class, and as the year progressed, their friendship blossomed into a deep bond.

Jayla recalls how they would attend their respective sports practices every day and then meet up at the Howard cafeteria, or sometimes Chipotle, with their friend Jordan. “That’s the best way for student-athletes to bond — eating together in the cafeteria,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively during a phone interview.

But as their friendship grew, their paths diverged. Jayla transferred to Syracuse University to continue her basketball career, leaving Bryan and D.C. behind. However, fate intervened when, four years later, Bryan transferred to the University of Cincinnati to play football and started training in Virginia. Meanwhile, Jayla returned to D.C. for her sixth year of eligibility, playing at George Washington University after graduating from Syracuse. During this time, she and Bryan, 25, were nearby again and reconnected, rekindling their relationship.

Now, years later, Jayla and Bryan, a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs and two-time Super Bowl champion, are married and parents to their newborn daughter, Jaycee, whom they welcomed in August.

“As we got older, I realized what I was truly looking for in a partner. When I started catching feelings for Bryan, it was amusing to me,” Jayla says. “I thought, ‘Oh, it’s Bryan — how funny is that?’ But it all made sense as my feelings deepened.”

“It’s funny — back then, we used to fight every day,” she adds of their time in college. “We were best friends but argued constantly. I’d think, ‘This man always has something to say — whether it’s a slick comment or a joke.’ But as we matured, everything changed. A big part of it was seeing each other grow. We were both focused on our individual goals, and it was inspiring to watch him chase his dreams while I worked to accomplish mine.”

Over the years, Jayla says she and Bryan, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, have become each other’s biggest support systems, especially as she watched him achieve his dream of playing in the NFL after being selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Jayla emphasizes that moving to a higher level in sports always brings increased expectations and responsibilities. Having gone through that herself as an athlete, she understands how demanding life as a professional football player can be.

“I try to be there for him mentally and emotionally, which has been crucial, especially understanding the physical demands of the NFL,” Jayla explains. “The biggest challenge I remember from his rookie year was navigating the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of such a fast transition. It’s your dream, but when it happens so quickly, nobody gives you a playbook on how to handle it, especially in the NFL.”

“Being there with him through it all, we often laugh about how much he’s grown from his rookie year to where we are now,” she adds. “It’s still a journey, and there’s a lot to learn together. I aim to support him through the good days, bad days and rough patches. I know how much pressure he faces every day, especially coming into the league so quickly.”

Reflecting on Bryan’s early NFL days, Jayla recalls the sacrifices she made to support him. During her last year of graduate school at George Washington University — also Bryan’s rookie year — she remembers watching the Chiefs’ AFC game against the Cincinnati Bengals in her dorm room. When they won, she thought, “I have to ask my coach if I can go. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Despite having to miss class and practice, Jayla made it out to Glendale, Arizona in Feb. 2023 to see Bryan’s first Super Bowl win. And then a year later, while pregnant, she got to relive that surreal moment as Bryan won his second Super Bowl ring.

“It’s such a warm feeling to see the joy on his face because I know the sacrifices he’s made and the dedication it takes to pursue something you love,” she says. “Watching him reach that highest level was incredibly fulfilling for me, especially since he’s not just my partner; he’s always been my best friend.”

Even when it’s not the Super Bowl, Jayla is always there cheering her husband on. For their regular home game day routine, they usually get up that morning, talk briefly and she offers him encouraging words. They ride to the game together, share a hug and a kiss and she gives him more support. If she has a field pass, she might see him again before the game.

For away games, Jayla usually doesn’t go. Instead, they maintain a ritual that started while she was away playing basketball for most of Bryan’s rookie season.

“Bryan will call or FaceTime me while walking onto the field. He’ll show me the stadium, and we just talk, making light of it all,” she says. “We honestly don’t even discuss football; we just say our prayers and share some jokes to lighten the mood. It’s all about making it as smooth as possible and reminding him that this is a game he’s been playing since he was three or four years old.”

During the off-season, which Jayla always looks forward to, she notes that Bryan rarely has a true break, as the team is still training. However, she loves seeing some stress relieved from his shoulders without the game-day pressures.

“I just want him to accomplish everything that he has set for himself — in all avenues as a player, as a person, locked in with his faith, as a father, brother — whatever it is, I just want to see him continue to grow. That’s my main thing,” she says.

With the 2024-2025 season now in full swing, Jayla says their lives have taken on a different rhythm. While supporting Bryan, she’s also learning to balance everything with their baby girl’s schedule. She has leaned on her parents for support and has also found camaraderie among the wives of some of the Chiefs players during weekly Bible sessions.

“Our word for the year is ‘grace,’ which has really helped us both navigate these transitions, especially with me stepping into motherhood,” she says. “It’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey, and that focus on grace has made a significant difference for us.”

“I’m just trying to stay prayed up, find ways to smile and enjoy this new version of myself and our family,” she adds. “This is definitely a new chapter for us, but seeing how we’re starting to get a grip on it and being able to appreciate where we are in life is my main goal.”