From one milestone to another.
Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. announced his engagement to girlfriend Olivia Carter on Saturday, just days after making his first NFL start on Dec. 22.
“The sweetest love ❤️ Olivia and Michael 12.24.2024,” the caption of a joint Instagram post shared on Penix and Carter’s pages read, revealing the proposal took place Tuesday on Christmas Eve.
The 24-year-old Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, popped the question in a dreamy space that featured red roses, red candles and large letters that spelled out, “Marry Me.”
The couple has been dating since at least November 2023, according to People. They celebrated Christmas together last year.
Carter, a University of Nevada, Reno alum and former collegiate soccer player, was by Penix’s side in April when the Falcons stunningly selected him in the first round of the NFL draft — weeks after the team signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency.
“When you can add a high-caliber player like that with his intangibles, those tools — he’s a winner. Very, very excited. You don’t pass up that opportunity,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said of Penix in the draft aftermath.
“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We’re very excited about Kirk, we’re very excited about our team. Michael Penix is, we’re talking about the future. The draft is — you look at the future and you look at big picture.
“But we’re very excited about that quarterback room. And again, Kirk is our quarterback, but adding Michael Penix is thinking about the future.”
Cousins’ reign as the Falcons’ starting quarterback lasted 14 games as the former Vikings star was benched ahead of Atlanta’s Week 16 contest against the Giants.
The 36-year-old quarterback has thrown 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this season and has completed 66.9 percent of his passes.
In his NFL debut last Sunday, Penix went 18-for-27 with 202 yards and one interception in Atlanta’s 34-7 win.
Penix and the Falcons (8-7) visit the Commanders (10-5) this week on “Sunday Night Football.”
