Meet the Cardinals WAG whose dad was Reggie Bush's private chef

Editorial Team
Meet the Cardinals WAG whose dad was Reggie Bush's private chef image

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Tyler Nelson already had connections to the NFL before she fell in love with a 2025 first-round draft pick.

The New Orleans native, whose father was once a private chef for former New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, is now stepping into a whole new era as an Arizona Cardinals WAG.

At just 23, Nelson says she's happily embracing her new life as the girlfriend of rookie defensive end Walter Nolen, and everything that comes along with dating an NFL player. 

Here's everything to know about the newest Cardinals WAG. 

Nelson met Nolen the day after a milestone life moment

Nelson officially entered the NFL spotlight when Nolen, a star defensive end out of Ole Miss, was selected as the 16th overall pick by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2025 draft. 

As luck would have it, Nelson first met Nolan in May 2024, the day after she graduated from his university's rival college, LSU. 

In an interview with "People," she said met the NFL rookie at Houston club KAMP.

The pair "hit it off quickly" and "never left each other," Nelson told the outlet. 

MORE: Dallas Cowboys knocked by Arizona Cardinals rookie over 'America's Team' nickname

She followed the NFL rookie to Ole Miss 

After their romance took a serious note, Nelson followed Nolen to Mississippi to watch his standout season at Ole Miss. 

When draft season arrived, she planned every detail, renting a house in Texas and gathering both families for what became an unforgettable weekend. 

“His (Nolen's) eyes were glued to the TV,” Nelson recalled of the big day. “His hands were together. He was so focused. Didn't crack a smile or anything. He's waiting for this phone call.”

After Nolen's name was called and his life changed forever, the couple had 24 hours to start packing up their lives to prepare for their big move to Arizona. 

“It really didn't feel real,” Nelson said of the whirlwind. “We kept saying it to each other, it felt like someone had picked us up and put us on a movie set.”

Cardinals WAGs took her under their wing 

After Nelson joined the league's inner circle, she recalls the other Cardinals wives and girlfriends instantly taking her "under their wing." 

“We go through the same things, and we always are with each other,” she said of the group. "Most of the time, the girls have their chef prepare dishes and then the girls just come and take shots whenever something happens in the game. It's super fun. And then all the kids can play with each other and stuff.”

She now knows the drill for game days and says she's learned how to be prepare before Nelson takes the field. 

"As a WAG, you’re always hosting. You’re never done hosting. Even if you don’t know, just prepare to host — always have a wine bottle," she joked.

On game mornings, a driver picks her up and takes her to the home of another WAG, where they'll get ready and pre-game together before a Sprinter van will haul them over to State Farm Stadium. 

Nelson has grown so close to the other wives and girlfriends that she's now the one who started their official group chat complete with 32 women. 

“It’s called ‘Bird Gang Baes,’ and all of the girls are in there," she shared. 

 

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Senior Editor