Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. used his Week 6 bye to pop the question to longtime girlfriend Annabella Campagna, sharing the milestone via Instagram with photos of the outdoor proposal.
Derek Stingley Jr. Slammed After Announcing Engagement to White Fiancée Goes Public
Derek Stingley Jr. Slammed After Announcing Engagement to White Fiancée Goes Public (Image credit: IG/@derek_stingley)
The corner who’s making $90 million on a three-year extension went all-out for the moment, presenting her with a pear-shaped diamond on a gold band. But what should’ve been pure celebration turned sour fast.
His own people led to endless chatter over the engagement, not because of the ring or romance, but because Campagna is white.
Derek Stingley Jr. Slammed After Announcing Engagement to White Fiancée Goes Public
Stingley, 24, has been dating Campagna since 2023, and the couple just celebrated their second anniversary last month. The proposal came after Stingley’s best season yet, which cemented him as one of the league’s elite lockdown corners.
Campagna remotely turns 26 next week. She grew up in New York and captained the soccer team at Division II Pace University. She earned her master’s in mental health counseling in 2024 and now works as a fitness trainer in Houston.
On Instagram, their engagement announcement drew nothing but lots of love. The caption read, “ 10•10•25 The most perfect day to say yes for forever♥️” Then X got hold of it.
The backlash hit hard once the post migrated to X, where critics zeroed in on the interracial relationship.
One fan wrote, “Boy spit on his own people for a white item.”
Another added, “Our people never learn.”
The third noted, “There must be a way to blame this on white people.”
A fourth user shared, “He didnt even get no elite milk lmaao cryin.”
A fifth claimed, “Black chicks lose again….”
A sixth remarked, “Why many famous black athletes girlfriend or wife are white?”
ALSO READ: “This Collab Has Been An Absolute Dream”: Patrick Mahomes’ Mom Randi Mahomes Launches Stylish Couture Brand Paying Tribute To Kansas City Chiefs
The criticism reflects tensions around prominent Black athletes choosing white partners. The majority of fans accused the Texans’ CB of abandoning his community. Not surprisingly, it exposed raw feelings about representation, loyalty, and identity within Black communities.
However, not everyone raises eyebrows. Some Texans fans are genuinely happy to see them happy in the photos they shared on Instagram.
One fan wrote, “Congrats @stingjr! Marriage to your best friend is the greatest gift in life!”
The second fan claimed, “They look so happy. Get married, bro.”
The third added, “All the accounts that complain about racism constantly being racist in the comments. No surprise.”
A fourth who doesn’t like marriage claimed, “Marriage is a dumb idea. but congrads on an on-going relationship.”
ALSO READ: “He is PERFECT”: Saquon Barkley’s Fiancée Anna Congdon Reacts With “Perfect” Comment To Halle Gesicki’s Baby Announcement
Through five games this season, he’s posted 10 solo tackles and one pick as Houston’s defense keeps opposing offenses in check. The Texans face Seattle on Monday Night Football, where Stingley is expected to match up with Jaxon Smith-Njigba.