Despite health struggles and difficult times, former NFL and boxing star Alonzo Highsmith and his wife, Denise, continue to inspire others with their enduring love and strength.
Alonzo Highsmith and his wife, Denise Chong, have been happily married for over three decades. The couple recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in June 2025.
On their 35th anniversary, Denise Chong Highsmith shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a video filled with beautiful moments of the couple, along with a sweet caption that reads:
“Thirty-five years and here we are! To God be the Glory, He has brought us through so much, here’s to couple more forevers…. Luv you long time ‘Lonzo! 🤎🤎✨✨”
Denise Chong Highsmith
Furthermore, Alonzo Highsmith and his longtime wife, Denise, have been each other’s constant support, often expressing their love and referring to one another as the rock in their lives.
The couple is college sweethearts, having begun their romantic relationship while attending the University of Miami.
Similarly, Alonzo Highsmith stood by his wife, Denise’s side and cared for her with constant love and support as she battled kidney problems.
In 2024, just a day before their 34th wedding anniversary, Denise underwent a kidney transplant. Alonzo took to Instagram to express his love for his brave wife and share his heartfelt gratitude to the donor family.
He wrote:
“Today is our 34th year anniversary and we got the greatest anniversary gift we could have wished for. A matching kidney was located and Denise had a kidney transplant yesterday. A true blessing from God and we are so thankful. Our prayers and gratitude go out to the donor (family) as well! 🙏🏾♥️”
Alonzo Highsmith
Alonzo Highsmith and His Longtime Wife, Denise Chong, Raised All Five of Their Children to Be Exceptional Athletes
In addition to being an incredible couple, Alonzo Highsmith and his wife, Denise, are great parents to their five children, including three sons, Alonzo Highsmith Jr., A.J. Highsmith, and Brandon Smith, and two daughters, Jazmine Calhoun Highsmith and Jordan Highsmith.
Furthermore, Denise and Alozno Sr. raised all of their kids to be amazing athletes.
All three of their sons, Alonzo Jr., A.J., and Brandon, followed in Alonzo Highsmith’s footsteps and played football.
Their son, Alonzo Highsmith Jr., born on November 21, 1989, was recently named the head coach for Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona, for the 2025-26 season.
Prior to that, he served as the football coach at Willcox High School and is a former professional football linebacker.
Alonzo Jr. played football at Missouri City High School. He continued his sports journey at Arkansas before signing with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
He was also signed to a reserve contract with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and the Washington Redskins.
Similarly, their other son, A.J. Highsmith, currently serves as the director of pro scouting for the New England Patriots. He played collegiate football at the University of Miami and high school football at Hightower High School.
Prior to joining the New England Patriots, A.J. served as the director of scouting for the Tennessee Titans, college scout for the Buffalo Bills, and Pro Personnel Scout and scouting assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.
Furthermore, both of their daughter, Jazmine and Jordan, excelled in Track and Field at Hightower High School.
Jordan continued her sports career at Samford University, winning several honorable titles, including SoCon Championships in 200 meters, 100 meters, 800 meters, and long jump.
Earning her Journalism degree from Samford University in 2017, Jordan now serves as a multimedia producer.
She last worked as a digital content producer at WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida, and as a Digital Reporter and content producer at CBS 42.
On the other hand, Dr. Jazmine Hghsmith Calhoun was on the track and field team at the University of South Florida and ranks among the top 10 outdoors in the shot put and the hammer and indoors in the shot put and weight throw.
She qualified for the Big East outdoor championships in the shot put and was named a Big East Academic All-Star.
Jazmine completed her Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo in 2011 and earned a Doctor of Education from Northcentral University in 2019. She now serves as the director of academics for HBU Athletics.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Alonzo Walter Highsmith was born on February 26, 1965, in Bartow, Florida. His father, Walter Highsmith, was a football player and coach who played for the Oilers and served as the former head coach of Texas Southern University.
- He began his professional career with the Houston Oilers of the NFL and later played for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before retiring in 1992.
- Alonzo became a professional boxer after retiring from his football career.
