Meet Ella Bonafede, the ex-lacrosse star linked to Daniel Jones: the former New York Giants – now Minnesota Vikings – quarterback met her at Duke University … but are they still together?

Dec 3 , 2024

Meet Ella Bonafede, the ex-lacrosse star linked to former New York Giants – now Minnesota Vikings – quarterback Daniel Jones … but are they still together? Photos: AP; @nypost/X

The athletic pair featured heavily on each other’s social media accounts beginning in 2019, but recently unfollowed each other on Instagram – sparking break-up rumours

Just two weeks ago, NFL star Daniel Jones, former quarterback and captain of the New York Giants, was released from the team at his own request. Now, it’s officially been confirmed that Danny Dimes – as Jones is known – will be joining the Minnesota Vikings for the rest of the 2024 season. While he wasn’t active for the Vikings’ recent game against the Arizona Cardinals, the 27-year-old is learning the ropes on the team’s practice squad and will slowly be activated as a backup to current Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

Daniel Jones at his last public appearances as quarterback for the New York Giants this month. Photo: AP

While his professional life has grabbed headlines over the past weeks, Jones’ love life also appears to be coming under scrutiny. In September, he was linked to sportscaster Kay Adams but she was quick to shut down romance rumours. “I’m not dating Daniel Jones – breaking, breaking news – I’ve met him all of two times, wish him the best, I’m pretty sure he has a girlfriend,” the former Good Morning Football host clarified on The 25/10 Show.

The “girlfriend” Adams referenced appears to be Ella Bonafede, who Jones has reportedly been dating since at least 2019. But just who is she? Here’s what we know.

What does Ella Bonafede do for work?

Ella Bonafede has a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s from New York University. Photo: Ella Bonafede/LinkedIn

Ella Bonafede was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Mary and Joseph Bonafede, and grew up in Long Island, New York. She attended St Anthony’s High School and graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s in evolutionary biology and global health. She also received a master of public health degree in nutrition and food policy from New York University. The 27-year-old is now a senior programme manager of research strategy at Breakthrough T1D, an organisation dedicated to research and advocacy for diabetes.

She comes from an athletic background

Daniel Jones and Ella Bonafede have a love of sports in common. Photo: @CrazyDaysPoster/X

Bonafede’s family has an impressive pedigree in lacrosse. “I’ve been playing lacrosse in my backyard with my three brothers for as long as I remember,” she said in an interview with LaxLessons. One of her brothers went on to play for Princeton, while another had a collegiate career at Duke.