The newly engaged Jeremy Reaves is reflecting on what’s been a transformative year.
Hours after the Commanders safety popped the question to girlfriend Mikaela Worley following Washington’s playoff-clinching win over the Falcons on “Sunday Night Football,” Reaves wrote a heartfelt message to his bride-to-be, thanking her for speaking “life into me” during harrowing times.
“A year ago I was at one of my lowest. A year later, you helped get me back to my best!” Reaves, 28, began on Instagram.
“Everytime life tore me down, you built me right back up and spoke life into me! You carried the weight when I couldn’t during some tough days(all that PA school definitely came in handy lol!) God makes no mistakes, and he gave me you when I needed you most! 8+ years of friendship, a lifetime to go as one! I meant it when I said 5life! I love you Mikaela R Worley PA-C.”
Reaves concluded the most with the Bible verse Proverbs 18:22.
An undrafted free agent out of South Alabama, Reaves has played for Washington since 2018, when he joined the team’s practice squad in September of that year after being waived by the Eagles.
His 2023 campaign ended prematurely after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ACL.
Reaves, who received his first Pro Bowl nod for the 2022 season, got down on one knee at Northwest Stadium after Washington sealed its 30-24 overtime home victory against Atlanta.
“That thing was burning a hole in my pocket,” Reaves said afterward, according to ESPN.
Worley, a physician assistant, was Reaves’ “crutch” as he recovered from the ACL tear.
“You can tell a lot about somebody when they are going through the worst and how they handle it,” he said.
“I was going through the worst last year coming off an ACL (tear). Couldn’t do anything, couldn’t be my own man and she was the crutch there when I couldn’t do it myself.”
With Sunday’s Week 17 victory, the Commanders — guided by first-year head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels — have reached the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Washington enters Sunday’s season finale against the Cowboys at 11-5.