A new sports romance is drawing attention in New York and North Carolina, with Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. dating Jackie Taylor, the daughter of late Washington NFL star Sean Taylor.
Lombard, 21, and Taylor, a Division I volleyball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels, appear to have been together since at least January 2025. However, their social media activity suggests the relationship may stretch back into 2024.
Photos that resurfaced online offer several glimpses of the couple together. One Instagram post showed Lombard and Taylor embracing with an ocean sunset behind them, while another captured the pair smiling together on a paddleboard.
Lombard has also made his support for Taylor’s volleyball career difficult to miss. He attended a UNC match wearing a customized sweatshirt featuring her picture across the back.
Young Romance Goes Public
Taylor has been equally open about Lombard. She included the Yankees prospect in an Instagram highlight titled “My people,” and a Valentine’s Day post from 2025 included the simple message: “I love you.”
The two already had something in common before their college and professional athletic careers took off. Both attended Gulliver Prep in Miami, raising the possibility that their relationship began before the dates documented publicly on social media.
Their connection was also on display in January 2025 when they attended an event connected to the Sean Taylor Legacy Project during the NFC Championship Game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Taylor, who leads the project created to preserve her father’s memory, and Lombard posed for a photograph alongside Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Jackie’s father, Sean Taylor, became one of Washington’s most recognizable defensive players during his NFL career. The Pro Bowl safety was only 24 when he was shot during a burglary at his Florida home in November 2007. He later died from his injuries.
Jackie Taylor Carries Her Father’s No. 21
Jackie has carried her father’s famous No. 21 into her own athletic career, wearing the number while playing middle blocker for North Carolina.
Her production has given Lombard plenty to celebrate. Taylor recently recorded 165 blocks for the Tar Heels, the third-highest single-season total in program history. Lombard reposted the accomplishment to his own social media followers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lombard’s baseball career has taken a significant step forward.
The Yankees selected him with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, adding another chapter to a baseball family that includes his father, George Lombard Sr., a former major-league outfielder who now serves as bench coach for the Detroit Tigers.
After working his way through New York’s farm system, Lombard was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to the major leagues following the August trade deadline, putting the 21-year-old in the Bronx as the Yankees pushed deeper into the season.
Knee Injury Interrupts Lombard’s Yankees Rise
His latest appearance, however, brought an injury concern. Lombard left Saturday’s 9-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox because of discomfort in his right knee.
Manager Aaron Boone subsequently listed the young infielder as day-to-day, with medical imaging providing encouraging news by showing no structural damage.
For Lombard and Taylor, their athletic careers are now unfolding on two prominent stages. Lombard is attempting to establish himself with the Yankees after his rapid climb through the organization. At the same time, Taylor continues building an impressive volleyball résumé at North Carolina, and both have made it clear on social media that they are following each other’s progress.
