The newest Buccaneers fan has arrived.
On Saturday, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily, announced the birth of daughter Kova Jade on April 9, sharing the exciting news on Instagram.
“Baby girl joined us Tuesday night just before 7:30pm,” Emily wrote on her Instagram Story.
“She is truly everything we prayed for, and more. We’re enjoying life as a family of 4 – Fergus is so gentle & curious, Daddy is so smitten, and Mama wants to pause time & make these days last forever.”
Emily shared another picture of baby Kova Jade, Baker and the family’s adorable dog with the caption: “My heart could explode at any minute, I swear. Bake was born to be a dad.”
The Mayfields revealed in December that they were expecting their first child in the spring.
“We’ve been hiding a little something……..,” Emily posted on social media at the time.
“But we are THRILLED to share that baby girl Mayfield will be joining our crazy crew in early April 2024!”
Emily confirmed her pregnancy just as Mayfield, 28, was nearing the end of his first season in Tampa Bay.
The first overall pick by the Browns in 2018, Mayfield spent four years in Cleveland before the organization traded for his replacement, quarterback Deshaun Watson, in March 2022.
Although Mayfield was traded to the Panthers before the 2022 season began, his tenure in Carolina was short-lived as he was released in December 2022 and joined the Rams.
The former Oklahoma product signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers in March 2023 and experienced a career resurgence, throwing for 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions en route to a playoff berth.
The Buccaneers clinched an NFC South title and reached the divisional round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Lions, 31-23.
In the weeks following the loss, Mayfield agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Buccaneers worth $100 million that includes $50 million guaranteed.
Mayfield, who earned a Pro Bowl nod for his 2023 campaign, spoke at length in a press conference last month about how Emily supported him through “dark times” in his NFL career.
“There were a lot of dark times that we went through to get here and to have the support I think it’s extremely important that you can have to lean on at all times,” Mayfield said at the time. “Not that I was very good at leaning on her at all times — I carry a lot of that weight on myself — but she has always been the support piece and has always believed in me.”
Mayfield and Emily have been married since 2019.