At a Glance
- Jasmatia Schaefering, 40, spent her early adulthood focused on her NFL husband’s career.
- She filed for divorce in June 2024 while continuing to care for his brain health.
- Now she is building a career in communications and studying to become a product manager.
Jasmatia Schaefering, a former NFL wife, has shifted her focus from supporting her husband’s football career to forging her own path. After filing for divorce in June 2024, she is working at a large communications company and pursuing studies to become a product manager. She also shares lessons for other women who have spent their lives on the sidelines of professional sports.
Early Life and Marriage
Jasmatia married an NFL player before he was drafted. By the time he entered the league, she had three children and became a stay-at-home mom. She described that period as “I was a stay-at-home mom with three kids by the time he got drafted and it was all about him.”
She said life felt like a mantra: “football, God, football, family.” She devoted her time and energy to his success and the team.
Life on the Sidelines
While he played, Jasmatia put all her energy toward his career. She said, “I took care of him. I supported him … It was all about him.”
After his retirement, she experienced an identity crisis. She reflected, “My title was ‘NFL wife.’ After the veil is removed … it’s like, ‘Well, what have you done for yourself? Who are you now?'”
Identity Crisis and Divorce
He was later diagnosed with brain damage and precursors for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Jasmatia researched treatments and educated the family. She continues to support him even after filing for divorce in June 2024.
She has begun writing her own story, balancing care for her former husband with her new ambitions.
New Beginnings and Career
Jasmatia currently works at a large communications company. She is also going back to school to become a product manager. She emphasizes that her husband’s goals are separate from hers: “This is his dream. This is his goal. This is his job. It has nothing to do with you.”
She urges women to build a career and never forget themselves.
Advice for Other WAGs
- Do not wait to build and pursue your own projects.
- Go to school, build a career, and do not forget yourself.
- Take advantage of the network around you.
- Talk to everyone and soak up information.
- Find another successful woman and build a relationship.
Jasmatia encourages women to discover their own dreams and not let them fade because of another’s success.
Key Takeaways
Jasmatia’s journey highlights the importance of personal identity beyond a spouse’s career. Even after a divorce, she maintains care for her former partner while carving out a new professional path. Her advice offers a roadmap for other WAGs seeking to build their own futures.
