Sauce Gardner Girlfriend: Who Is the Model Dating the Indianapolis Colts Star and How Did They Meet?

Sauce Gardner, the Indianapolis Colts cornerback, recently revealed a special detail about his relationship with girlfriend Brooklyn Nikole while reflecting on the anniversary of his blockbuster trade from the New York Jets. Speaking to reporters in November 2026, Gardner explained that he officially asked Brooklyn to become his girlfriend aboard the private jet that brought him to Indianapolis a year earlier. The revelation offered a rare glimpse into the personal life of the two-time NFL All-Pro, whose relationship with the model has attracted considerable attention.

Brooklyn Nikole is a model, social media personality and beauty entrepreneur who is also known as the younger sister of rapper Latto. The couple began dating in November 2025, shortly after Gardner’s previous relationship with rapper Ice Spice ended. Since then, they have appeared together at sporting events, award ceremonies and public outings, gradually becoming more open about their romance.

Who Is Sauce Gardner’s Girlfriend Brooklyn Nikole?

Brooklyn Nikole is an American model, influencer and entrepreneur who has developed a following through her work in fashion, beauty and social media.

She was born on July 19, 2002, and grew up in the Atlanta area of Georgia. Her family background includes her older sister, Alyssa Michelle Stephens, professionally known as Latto.

Brooklyn began attracting attention through social media, where she shares fashion photographs, lifestyle updates and content related to her professional activities.

She has worked with fashion and beauty brands and established herself as a recognizable personality beyond her famous sister’s music career.

In 2023, Brooklyn launched her beauty business, Beauty by Brooklyn, which focuses on lip products and cosmetics.

Her entrepreneurial interests have helped her build an independent professional identity, although her relationship with Gardner has introduced her to a wider sports audience.

How Did Sauce Gardner and Brooklyn Nikole Meet?

The exact circumstances of Sauce Gardner and Brooklyn Nikole’s first meeting have not been publicly explained in detail.

However, their relationship began around the time Gardner was traded from the New York Jets to the Indianapolis Colts in November 2025.

The Colts acquired Gardner on November 4, 2025, sending two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to New York.

During a conversation with reporters on November 4, 2026, Gardner revealed that the date held special personal significance.

He explained that he asked Brooklyn to become his girlfriend while traveling on the private jet that transported him to Indianapolis following the trade.

The announcement confirmed that the couple had officially started dating on November 4, 2025.

Gardner’s comments were particularly interesting because the relationship had initially developed away from public attention.

The couple was first widely photographed together later that month, when they appeared at a restaurant in Miami.

Sauce Gardner and Brooklyn Nikole’s First Public Appearance

Gardner and Brooklyn attracted considerable attention in November 2025 after being photographed leaving Carbone, a popular Italian restaurant in Miami.

The NFL player was enjoying time away from football during the Colts’ bye week.

Photographers captured Gardner walking toward his vehicle with Brooklyn and several other women, including someone believed to be her sister Latto.

Gardner opened the passenger door for Brooklyn before the pair departed together.

The photographs quickly circulated online, generating speculation about whether the football player had begun a new relationship.

At the time, neither publicly discussed the details of their romance.

However, they began appearing together more frequently over the following weeks.

In December 2025, Gardner shared a photograph of the couple attending an NBA game, offering another indication that their relationship had become serious.

They also appeared together in matching Christmas pajamas, attracting attention from fans who had followed Gardner’s previous relationship.

Their growing public presence helped establish Brooklyn as an important part of his life away from football.

Brooklyn Nikole and Sauce Gardner at the BET Awards

The couple made another notable appearance at the 2026 BET Awards, where they walked the red carpet together.

Their appearance attracted attention because both have connections to different areas of entertainment and sports.

Brooklyn wore a fashionable outfit for the occasion, while Gardner appeared alongside her as they posed for photographs.

The event represented one of their more prominent public outings since beginning their relationship.

By that time, Brooklyn had become a familiar presence in Gardner’s personal life, appearing in photographs and attending events with the NFL cornerback.

Their relationship also attracted interest because Brooklyn’s sister, Latto, had previously collaborated with Gardner’s former girlfriend, Ice Spice.

Despite those connections, neither Gardner nor Brooklyn has publicly suggested that the circumstances created problems in their relationship.

Did Sauce Gardner Previously Date Ice Spice?

Before dating Brooklyn Nikole, Sauce Gardner was romantically involved with rapper Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Gaston.

The two first met in April 2024, although dating rumors did not become widespread until early 2025.

They were subsequently spotted together at several public events, including the Vanity Fair Oscars Party and a New York Knicks playoff game.

In April 2025, Ice Spice shared a mirror photograph featuring Gardner, prompting speculation that they had confirmed their relationship.

Gardner later discussed their connection during an interview, explaining that they enjoyed spending time together and shared experiences as successful young public figures.

However, he avoided providing extensive details about their romance.

In September 2025, Ice Spice confirmed during an appearance on Keke Palmer’s podcast that she and Gardner had dated but were no longer together.

She described their relationship positively and explained that they had remained friends.

A few months later, Gardner began appearing publicly with Brooklyn Nikole.

The transition attracted attention because both women were connected to the entertainment industry.

Are Sauce Gardner and Brooklyn Nikole Still Together?

As of November 2026, Sauce Gardner and Brooklyn Nikole are still publicly recognized as a couple.

Their relationship reached its first anniversary on November 4, 2026, when Gardner confirmed the unusual circumstances surrounding his original proposal to become boyfriend and girlfriend.

His comments established a clear relationship timeline and demonstrated that the couple had maintained their connection through his transition from New York to Indianapolis.

Brooklyn continues pursuing her modeling and beauty business interests, while Gardner remains focused on his professional football career.

The cornerback has experienced several significant milestones since entering the NFL, including winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and earning multiple All-Pro selections.

In July 2025, he signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension with the Jets before being traded to Indianapolis later that year.

Despite his demanding football schedule, Gardner has continued making time for his relationship.

For Brooklyn, dating a prominent NFL player has brought additional public attention, but she remains active in her own professional ventures.

Their romance has developed from relatively private beginnings into a publicly acknowledged relationship, with Gardner’s anniversary revelation providing one of the clearest accounts of how their story began.