Kirk Cousins signed a massive four-year, $180 million deal (with $100 million in guarantees), only to watch the Atlanta Falcons draft his replacement just weeks later.
Now, as the veteran quarterback navigates an uncertain future in Atlanta, his family remains his strongest support system. Behind the NFL spotlight, Cousins’ two siblings have built remarkable careers of their own, each following vastly different paths from their famous brother.
Who Are Kirk Cousins’ Brother and Sister?
Atlanta sparked controversy when they used the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Michael Penix Jr. to serve as their quarterback of the future.
Cousins opened the 2024 season as the starter and led the Falcons to a 7-7 record before the organization decided to turn things over to the rookie quarterback for the final three games. The four-time Pro Bowler finished the season with 3,508 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions while completing 66.9% of his passes.
It was expected that Cousins would be traded this offseason, but it appears he’s set to begin the 2025 season in Atlanta.
Cousins, who was raised in Holland, Mich., grew up with two siblings, Kyle and Karalyne. The tight-knit family has remained close despite Kirk’s demanding NFL career.
What Role Does Kyle Cousins Play in His Brother’s Career?
The Cousins family remains a tight-knit unit despite Kirk being busy with his NFL career. He shared a photo of three generations of the family on his Instagram:
“Somehow got all 5 kids to look at the camera for one second. Bribed ’em w/ Wilhelmina mints & Peppa Pig.”
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Kyle, who is nearly two years older than Kirk, played college baseball for the Calvin College Knights. He showed promise on the mound in 2008 when he went 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA. Kyle didn’t pitch much the following season, but he hit .340 with one home run, 25 RBIs, 36 runs scored, nine stolen bases, and an .836 OPS.
His seven wins as a pitcher in 2008 are tied for the fifth-most in program history, while his 36 runs scored the following season are tied for the 11th-most.
Beyond his college baseball career, Kyle has been labeled as his younger brother’s biggest supporter and attends nearly every game. He serves as the Orlando area director of Mission Increase Foundation, which aims to help Christian nonprofits with fundraising.
He received his bachelor’s degree in business and his master’s degree in Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute, according to his LinkedIn profile. He married his wife Heather in 2019.
Meanwhile, Karalyne took a completely different path from her brothers. She played tennis and ran cross country during her athletic career. She received her undergraduate degree from Hope College before pursuing a career in medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. Cousins’ younger sister completed her residency training at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
She now works as a doctor in Orlando, Fla. She goes by Karalyne Cousins Blochberger after marrying Reed Blochberger in 2018.
