Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys
Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys
After playing his college ball at Ohio State, where he holds the school record of most career touchdown receptions, Chris Olave was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Since he entered the league, the wide receiver has played with a few different quarterbacks as the team has continued to search for a franchise signal caller. Some of the quarterbacks he has caught passes from include Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, and Tyler Shough.
The Saints have been a bit more stable at the receiver position, and in 2025, the team exercised the fifth-year option on Olave’s contract.
Here’s more about the wideout, including who his parents are and what his ethnicity is.
Chris Olave was born on June 27, 2000, in San Ysidro, California, to his father, Raul Olave, and his mother, Causha Jones-Olave.
Causha is of African-American and Raul is of Cuban descent. They have two other children, Isiah and Josh, who played collegiate sports as well. Isiah played football for the University of California, Davis, while Joshua split his time between Azusa Pacific University and Weber State.
Following Chris’ college game in which he broke the Buckeyes’ school record, he explained that his family is his inspiration, saying: “Both my brothers, we’re so close. I can’t even explain the love I have for them. I can’t even explain into words the love I have for my parents, what they did for me throughout my whole life, and how they continue to support me.”
Chris remembers his parents worked multiple jobs but always made practice, trials, and games to support their sons.
When Chris was drafted in the NFL, Isiah posted a heartwarming message to his younger brother on social media that read: “The day is finally here. Congrats on achieving your dreams and being a 1st round NFL draft selection … Never forget the humble beginning we’ve come from like mom working 2 jobs and us barely seeing her some days so she could support us. Or dad working all night for 20+ years and still finding time to coach our teams, work us out, or drive us all over the country to camps, tournaments, and colleges. Football has been so great to our family and has been a common bond for our family … and I will forever cherish what sports has done to shape me, you and Josh.”
Olave reps his heritage on the field
Olave has shown his pride in his Cuban roots on the field over the years. He’s done so by wearing custom cleats during Latino Heritage Month and decals of the Cuban flag on the back of his helmet. He also represents a growing number of Latinos playing in the NFL today.
According to a report by the Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports in 2021, there were only 12 players in the league who identified as Latino. However, by the start of the 2025 regular season, that number was up to 47 Latinos on NFL teams, with 32 on the 53-man rosters and 15 on practice squads or reserve lists.
Some of those players include Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who is of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who is mixed with Mexican heritage; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is of Colombian heritage; Patriots’ kicker Andy Borregales, who is of Venezuelan heritage; and Olave’s teammate Cesar Ruiz, who is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent.