College football can be packed with exciting touchdowns and high-profile rivalries. However, occasionally, the greatest moments occur off the field. Just ask Tez Johnson, the University of Oregon wide receiver and NFL Draft prospect. He is the one who recently won a victory in the love arena.
The 22-year-old proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Laila Thompson-Wainer, in a sentimental proposal that soon went viral on the internet. With NFL scouts observing his every step, Johnson is demonstrating that legacy and love can go hand in hand.
Tez Johnson’s Relationship Based on Support and Success
Johnson was making headlines in March 2024. It was when he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Laila Thompson-Wainer. Well, it was just days after he put his skills on display at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The moment, captured on Instagram, depicted Johnson on one knee at an indoor football facility, ring in hand, grin radiating—as Thompson-Wainer happily took it. The proposal was not only a sentimental gesture; it was a tribute to the support system that propelled his journey from a rough childhood in Alabama to a stratosphere in Oregon.
Thompson-Wainer, who hails from the Pacific Northwest, also has her own record of achievement in the partnership. She is a University of Washington graduate, majoring in communication and media.
She interned with the Washington Huskies athletic department during college and worked with the Seattle Seahawks on community outreach afterward. She is currently a communications coordinator for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, assisting with media relations and brand planning.
Their romance started while Johnson was at Oregon, where the pair bonded over common values, religion, and shared drive. Friends and relatives have commented on their compatibility, referring to them as a “power couple in the making.”
Izzy Nix, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix’s wife and friend of Thompson-Wainer, responded to the news of the engagement with an emotional post on social media: “God is so good. She’s joining the family!!!!!!”
The love story of the couple is a welcome addition to Johnson’s account. Transferring to Oregon to reunite with his adopted brother, Bo Nix, Johnson rapidly emerged as the Ducks’ offense’s go-to weapon. Off campus, he drew on Thompson-Wainer’s support, frequently giving credit to her presence as the stabilizing influence amidst the fray of college athletics.
Tez Johnson’s Road to the NFL
Prior to winning hearts with his wooing, Johnson had already captivated Ducks supporters with his on-field performance.
During the 2023 season, Johnson had 83 catches for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns and emerged as one of Oregon’s most consistent targets in its prolific offense. He and quarterback Nix displayed chemistry in all but a handful of games, particularly as the Ducks charged toward the Pac-12 Championship.
Johnson’s road to this point has not been without its challenges. He grew up in Pinson, Alabama, with many challenges in front of him, including losing his biological father at an early age. Johnson was adopted by Patrick Nix at 15 and became the adopted brother of Bo. The relationship between the Nix and Johnson households became the rock of his life.
Even though he was a bit undersized for an NFL wide receiver—he stood at 5 feet 10 inches and weighed 154 pounds at the 2024 NFL Combine—Johnson won’t let that define him. He’s named current professionals such as Tank Dell and Davante Adams as his role models, pointing out that heart and hustle are more important than size.
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“Size doesn’t matter. If you can get out there and play, you can play,” Johnson said to Sports Illustrated during combine week. “I’ve always felt that way, and I’m going to prove it in the next level.”
As Johnson prepares to transition from college football to the NFL, the foundation he’s built with Thompson-Wainer will undoubtedly play a key role in keeping him grounded. And while NFL teams are assessing his route-running and hands, fans are already cheering for this couple to keep on winning, both on and off the gridiron.
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