The Jets tight end has had the support of his mom and dad over the years

By Nasha Smith – Published on November 13, 2025 07:00PM EST – People

NEED TO KNOW

• NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and former sports journalist Katina Taylor welcomed their son, Mason Taylor, in 2004
• Mason is now a starting tight end for the New York Jets, who are playing against the New England Patriots for Thursday Night Football on Nov. 13
• Mason has thanked his parents for their support throughout his athletic career

Mason Taylor has football in his blood, thanks to his parents.

The New York Jets rookie is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and former sports journalist Katina Taylor, whose brother is NFL Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. Jason and Katina married in 2000 and welcomed three kids together before eventually divorcing in 2015, according to the Miami New Times.

Over the years, Mason has navigated the pressures of carrying a famous last name while establishing his own identity on the field, but he embraces the spotlight.

“There’s high expectations, for sure,” he told the Associated Press in May 2025. “When people say, like, ‘Oh, let him have his shine,’ … ‘Stop saying his dad’s name,’ I mean, I love it. We’re family.”

Despite his parents’ split, Mason’s dad and mom have continued to support his NFL dreams, from his days playing with the Fighting Tigers at the Louisiana State University (LSU) to being named the Jets’ starting tight end.

Here’s everything to know about Mason Taylor’s parents, dad Jason Taylor and mom Katina Taylor.

Jason is a Hall of Fame NFL player

Jason is a former defensive end who spent 15 seasons in the NFL, playing with the Jets, Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders.

Throughout his career, he earned six Pro Bowl nods, collected 139.5 sacks and was recognized as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. These achievements later led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Jason wasn’t a major recruit coming out of high school and had to prove he belonged at the University of Akron before getting his shot in the NFL. The Dolphins picked him in the third round of the 1997 draft, and he went on to become one of the most impactful defenders of his era.

After retiring in 2011, he transitioned to coaching and remains closely involved with the game. He now works with defensive ends at the University of Miami, helping develop the next generation of players.

Katina is a former sports broadcast journalist

Katina also has deep connections to the NFL, both through her family and her professional experience in the sports industry.

Her brother, Zach, is an NFL All-Pro linebacker who spent most of his career with the Dolphins and is recognized as one of the top linebackers in league history.

Katina herself has a history in sports media. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Texas Tech University and began her career as a reporter for CBS Sports covering the Dolphins.

They have three children together

Besides Mason, Jason and Katina have two other children together: son Isaiah and daughter Zoë.

Isaiah is a defensive back at the University of Miami after spending three seasons at the University of Arizona. Meanwhile, Zoë is a student-athlete at Arizona State University in beach volleyball and is pursuing a degree in communication.

With their kids’ athletic careers and school schedules often pulling them in different directions, the family cherishes moments that they get to spend together. Katina expressed gratitude in an Instagram post to commemorate Mason’s birthday.

“Celebrating Mason’s 21st Birthday, 🥳🥂 all 3 of my kids home at the same time. … Grateful for this special time in our lives. May all your wishes come true Mase. ❤️🙏🏼 We love you,” she wrote.

After Jason and Katina divorced in 2015, the former NFL star remarried in 2020. He and his wife, Monica Taylor, share one son, Jordan.

Mason celebrated a college win with his mom Katina

When Mason was a freshman tight end at LSU, he helped the No. 10 Tigers beat No. 6 Alabama.

He caught a key fourth-quarter touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime, giving LSU its first home win over Alabama since 2010. After the game, Mason embraced his mom in a celebratory hug.

“It was a cool moment,” he shared in an interview with WAFB in 2022. “I was working my way over there because I knew she would be in that section, and I just wanted to find her and hug her.”

Mason also revealed how Katina shows her support.

“She’s really dedicated as a mother. She travels a lot … she goes to Arizona,” he added. “That’s not a short flight either, and she’ll come here the other week and then go back there, or come here. So she’s definitely out of town a lot, and it means a lot as a son of hers.”

Related Stories

Who Is Jason Taylor’s new Wife? All About Monica Taylor and Her Relationship with the Former Dolphins Player

The age difference between Jason Taylor and Monica Taylor is 20 years. Jason Taylor is 51 years old, and Monica Taylor is 31 years old, based on the provided information from October 2025. 

• Jason Taylor: 51 years old
• Monica Taylor: 31 years old
• Age difference: 51−31=2051 minus 31 equals 2051−31=20 years 

Mason leaned on his dad Jason during the 2025 NFL Draft process

As he went through the NFL Draft process himself in early 2025, Mason was thankful to have his dad offer guidance.

“Having that insight, that inside scoop that many people aren’t fortunate to have … it was definitely a blessing,” Mason told the Akron Beacon Journal at the NFL scouting combine.

He continued, “Just having him in my supportive group and my team and my family, of course, being supportive of me throughout the whole way, throughout ups and downs, has been huge.”

Mason was later selected during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he made his debut with the Jets at a preseason game that August. The following month, Jason and his wife attended Mason’s match between the Jets and the Dolphins.

Jason and Katina are involved in the community in their own ways

Both Jason and Katina have spent years using their platform to give back.

During the professional athlete’s NFL career, they launched the Jason Taylor Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of children in South Florida through education, mentorship and health programs.

Katina has also taken a hands-on role in charitable work, especially in areas centered around youth development and uplifting underserved communities.

Her Camp Katina empowers young girls in South Florida through gymnastics, confidence-building workshops and mentorship focused on self-esteem and healthy living.

She also runs Dig Deeper, a nonprofit beach volleyball and life-skills camp founded and directed by her daughter, Zoë, for underserved youth.