Trey McBride is a professional American football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 22, 1999, in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Fort Morgan, Colorado, McBride grew up in a sports-driven household with a unique family dynamic. He was raised by his two mothers, Kate and Jen McBride, making him the first NFL player to come from a same-sex marriage household. A standout athlete from a young age, McBride excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Fort Morgan High School before embarking on a stellar college career at Colorado State University.
Siblings
Trey is one of five children raised by Kate and Jen McBride, with four siblings who have played a significant role in his life. His oldest brother, Bryce, is part of the family’s athletic legacy, though specific details about his pursuits are less documented. His second-eldest brother, Toby, is a notable figure in the McBride family’s sports narrative, having played as a defensive end for the Colorado State Rams alongside Trey. Toby’s early success, including earning All-Mountain West honors as a freshman, inspired Trey, and their shared time at Colorado State strengthened their bond.
Despite injuries limiting Toby’s later college career, he was instrumental in Trey’s recruitment to Colorado State, as his scholarship offer prompted the university to extend one to Trey as well. Trey’s fraternal twin brother, Dylan, also embraced athletics, competing in wrestling during college, adding to the family’s competitive spirit. The youngest sibling, Taya, is thought to be in high school and participates in activities like drama, notably performing in her school’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Career
McBride’s football career began to take shape at Fort Morgan High School, where he showcased his versatility as a multi-sport athlete. In football, he recorded 32 catches for 751 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, earning Class 3A All-Colorado honors, and followed with 30 catches for 450 yards and four total touchdowns as a senior, alongside 40 tackles and a sack on defense. His high school success led him to Colorado State University, where he played for the Rams from 2018 to 2021. As a freshman, he appeared in all 12 games, starting five, and caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. His sophomore year marked a breakout, with 45 receptions for 560 yards and four touchdowns, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors. Despite a brief consideration of transferring during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, McBride stayed and led the team with 22 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns in four games.
His senior year in 2021 was historic, as he recorded 90 receptions for 1,121 yards, setting Colorado State records for a tight end and leading all NCAA tight ends in receptions and yards. Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (55th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, McBride appeared in 16 games as a rookie, catching 29 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. In 2023, he became the first Cardinals tight end since 1989 to surpass 100 receiving yards in a game, finishing the season with 81 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. In 2024, he set a franchise record for a tight end with 111 catches for 1,146 yards and two receiving touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. On April 3, 2025, McBride signed a four-year, $76 million contract extension with $43 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history at the time.
Accolades
McBride’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight his excellence on the field. At Colorado State, he became the program’s first unanimous All-American in 2021, earning recognition from all five major All-American teams (AFCA, AP, FWAA, SN, WCFF). That same year, he won the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate tight end, making him the first Colorado State player to receive this honor. He was named the 2021-22 Mountain West Male Athlete of the Year and earned multiple All-Mountain West selections, including first-team honors in 2019 and 2021, and second-team in 2020.
McBride set Colorado State records for a tight end in career receptions (157), receiving yards (2,011), and single-season receiving yards (1,121 in 2021). He also holds the Mountain West record for single-season receiving yards by a tight end. In high school, he was a two-time Class 3A All-Colorado selection and a 2017 National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter Scholar-Athlete. In the NFL, his 2024 season earned him a Pro Bowl nod and the title of the Cardinals’ offensive player of the year. Additionally, McBride holds Fort Morgan High School records for career points in basketball and career home runs and RBIs in baseball, underscoring his multi-sport prowess.