Former Boise State football star Ian Johnson is married to Chrissy Johnson, formerly Chrissy Popadics, who was the university’s head cheerleader during his college career. The couple married on July 28, 2007, just months after Johnson proposed to her on national television following Boise State’s unforgettable Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Nearly 20 years later, Ian and Chrissy remain together and have three daughters.
Who Is Ian Johnson’s Wife?
Chrissy Johnson, born Chrissy Popadics, is best known as the former Boise State head cheerleader who became engaged to running back Ian Johnson during a nationally televised football celebration.
She attended Boise State University in Idaho, where she was involved in the school’s cheerleading programme.
Her relationship with Johnson attracted widespread attention following the Broncos’ historic victory over Oklahoma in January 2007.
Although Chrissy became nationally recognised through that memorable moment, she has largely maintained a private life since their marriage.
Today, she is known as Johnson’s longtime wife and the mother of their three daughters.
How They Met
Ian Johnson and Chrissy Popadics met while attending Boise State University, where both were involved in the school’s athletic community.
Johnson was a standout running back for the Broncos, while Chrissy served as a cheerleader supporting the football programme.
Their shared connection to Boise State brought them together during one of the most successful periods in the university’s football history.
As Johnson gained recognition for his performances on the field, their relationship developed away from the national spotlight.
However, everything changed following the Broncos’ dramatic appearance in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
The Famous Proposal
Ian Johnson proposed to Chrissy Popadics on January 1, 2007, immediately after Boise State defeated Oklahoma 43–42 in overtime at the Fiesta Bowl.
The game became one of the most memorable contests in college football history.
Boise State entered the matchup as an underdog against the heavily favoured Oklahoma Sooners.
After a dramatic fourth quarter and overtime period, Johnson scored the winning two-point conversion on a brilliantly executed Statue of Liberty play.
Moments later, during his postgame interview with Fox Sports, Johnson turned his attention from football to his girlfriend.
He got down on one knee and proposed to Chrissy in front of television cameras.
Chrissy accepted, creating a moment that became almost as famous as the Broncos’ victory itself.
The proposal quickly became an enduring part of college football history.
Their 2007 Wedding
Ian Johnson and Chrissy Popadics married on July 28, 2007, at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise, Idaho.
Their wedding took place approximately seven months after the televised proposal.
By then, their relationship had become familiar to college football fans across the United States.
The ceremony marked the beginning of their married life after an extraordinary year involving national attention, athletic success and personal challenges.
Unlike their widely broadcast engagement, the couple’s wedding was intended to be a more personal celebration with family and friends.
However, security concerns surrounding their relationship affected preparations for the event.
Facing Threats
Following their engagement, Ian and Chrissy Johnson received threatening correspondence because of their interracial relationship.
Johnson is Black, while Chrissy is white, and their high-profile engagement attracted racist hostility.
Reports indicated that the couple received approximately 30 threatening letters, prompting attention from federal authorities.
The FBI reviewed the threats, and additional security arrangements were made for their wedding.
Despite the disturbing situation, the couple continued with their plans to marry.
Their decision to remain together demonstrated their commitment during a period when they were facing unwanted national scrutiny.
The threats also highlighted the prejudice that interracial couples could still encounter, even during what should have been a joyful personal milestone.
Do They Have Children?
Ian Johnson and Chrissy Johnson have three daughters together.
The couple have raised their children largely outside the intense media attention that followed their engagement.
Although their family occasionally appears in football-related coverage, Ian and Chrissy have generally kept their daughters’ personal information private.
Their family life has become an important part of Johnson’s identity since his retirement from professional football.
Rather than continuing to pursue public attention through their famous proposal, the couple have focused on building a stable home together.
Life After Football
Following his successful college career, Ian Johnson pursued professional football before eventually moving into the insurance industry.
He spent time with NFL organisations after leaving Boise State but did not establish a lengthy regular-season playing career.
Johnson later settled into civilian professional life and became associated with State Farm as an insurance agent in Boise, Idaho.
His career change allowed him to remain connected to the community where he became a college football star.
While his playing days ended years ago, Johnson continues to be remembered for his contribution to Boise State’s historic 2006 season.
Chrissy has remained part of his life throughout that transition.
Their 2026 Reunion
Ian and Chrissy Johnson returned to the national college football spotlight on November 14, 2026, during ESPN’s College GameDay visit to Boise State.
Johnson appeared as the programme’s celebrity guest picker, bringing renewed attention to his famous Fiesta Bowl performance.
The appearance came as the 20th anniversary of Boise State’s January 2007 victory approached.
During the broadcast coverage, the couple spoke with reporter Jessica Sims and revisited the moment that made their relationship famous.
They also playfully recreated their memorable proposal.
For longtime Boise State supporters, the reunion offered an opportunity to see how the couple’s relationship had developed nearly two decades after their unforgettable engagement.
Why Their Story Matters
The relationship between Ian and Chrissy Johnson remains closely connected to one of college football’s greatest underdog victories.
Their engagement combined a historic sporting achievement with a deeply personal celebration.
However, their story extends beyond the televised proposal.
The couple have remained married since 2007, raising three daughters and establishing a life together in Idaho.
Their experience also included confronting racist threats at the beginning of their engagement.
Nearly two decades later, their continued partnership gives the famous Fiesta Bowl moment additional meaning.
What began as a spontaneous-looking celebration on national television became the starting point of a lasting marriage.
Final Thoughts
Ian Johnson’s wife is Chrissy Johnson, formerly Chrissy Popadics, the Boise State cheerleader he proposed to after the Broncos’ historic 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory.
The couple married on July 28, 2007, in Boise, Idaho, and have three daughters.
Their relationship has survived intense public attention, racist threats and the transition from college football fame to everyday family life.
Their November 2026 appearance on College GameDay brought their love story back into focus ahead of the proposal’s 20th anniversary.
As they approach their 20th wedding anniversary in July 2027, Ian and Chrissy remain one of the most memorable couples associated with college football history.
