FSU Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei's Love Story: Who Is Ava Pitchard?

By Jason Bolton September 05, 2024 04:05

Photo by IG/@avaapritchard

Athletes' personal histories that led them into college sports can resonate with the public, sometimes even more so than what they do on the field, like the story of Florida State University quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and his fiancée, Ava Pritchard. In this story, we look back at their upbringing, the first time they crossed paths with one another, before delving into what makes them so special as individuals and why they're so significant in today's college sports landscape.

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A post shared by DJ Uiagalelei (@shaboidj)

Backstories: DJ Uiagalelei & Ava Pritchard

DJ Uiagalelei

DJ Uiagalelei started his journey at Clemson University, where he had to live up to the expectations being put on him after legendary Quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson. After a promising freshman campaign, his stint at Clemson saw plenty of peaks and valleys before moving on to Oregon State. He rebounded in his career there, passing for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. After that, in 2024, he moved to Florida State University after becoming another player who wanted a better chance of going professional from the NFL.

Ava Pritchard

For those unaware, DJ and his awesome partner, Ava Pritchard, are natives of Texas. From 2018 to 2021, she was a volleyball player at Clemson, where she spent her senior year as a middle blocker and then studied for her master's degree in the spring of 2022. At Muldoon High and throughout her college years, Ava became well-known for the time she spent perfecting her game on the volleyball court. She followed DJ to Oregon and then Florida as his career evolved.

How They Met

DJ was a student-athlete at Clemson University, where he met Ava, who was also involved in college sports. Their common experiences as Division 1 athletes likely contributed to their connection. While details of their first meeting at Clemson University might be private, we know that their relationship took off during their time at the university. That common perspective was the foundation of their relationship, which helped them cope with shared experiences and pressures as college athletes.

Their Relationship Timeline

Engagement in Hawaii

One of the biggest events in DJ and Ava's love story was their engagement in May 2024. DJ then proposed to Ava in Hawaii, which they both posted on social media for the world to see. On Twitter, DJ shared an emotional message to accompany the "It was always You" announcement on top of photos from when he popped the question. Fans and followers littered the couple's public declaration of their dedication with tons of support.

Facing Public Scrutiny

But with being in the public eye comes a lot of pressure, and naturally, DJ and Ava have not been impervious to gossip about their relationship. After a lackluster performance against New Boston College, DJ caught the ire of some fans, most inevitably falling on Ava. Ava, meanwhile, received a lot of backlash on social media due to her posts. However, in the face of this adversity, they have remained strong and helped one another preserve their relationship while navigating life under public scrutiny.

Public Appearances and Comments

The pair have been together since, making several public appearances and offering fans a look into their everyday lives on social media. Speaking candidly about their relationship, Ava recently shared how they faced moving around and adapting to new places with DJ. The fact they are willing to show us their journey is why so many love them and admire that what you see does seem true.

Love and College Sports

Balancing personal relationships and the need to endure in sports is a difficult endeavor for college athletes. Add to that the pressures of performance, scrutiny from the media, and how fleeting college sports are in a career path, and things get pretty complex.

The love story of DJ Uiagalelei and Ava Pritchard transcends a simple tale of two hearts falling in love; it is also an inspiring saga about mental toughness, standing on both feet as athletes with independent careers while dealing with the pressures of having your relationship out there for all to see. Their story is a powerful reminder that beyond the headlines and stats, athletes are people first, whose lives were shaped long before they ever set foot onto the fields where we watch them play.