George Karlaftis announced his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Kaia Harris, on Monday, and his star quarterback is there to celebrate the big moment.
Karlaftis was selected 30th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Purdue University and has since developed into a vital part of the Chiefs' defense. Across four seasons in the league, he has recorded 30.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss.
Now 25 and preparing for his fifth season with the Chiefs after signing a four-year, $93 million contract extension last offseason, Karlaftis tied the knot with Harris on Saturday, May 9, at the luxury coastal resort One&Only Aesthesis in Greece, according to People.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) takes the field prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The couple shared the news Monday in a joint Instagram announcement with People, with Patrick Mahomes among the first to congratulate his teammate.
"Congrats!!!! ," the Chiefs QB wrote.
While Mahomes did not attend the wedding as he recovers from a knee injury, Karlaftis had many of his teammates present, including tight end Travis Kelce and his fiancée, pop superstar Taylor Swift, who were reportedly seen dancing together. There were 220 guests in attendance, with Karlaftis revealing that the wedding ceremony was his favorite part.
"I think my favorite part was the ceremony because I got really emotional, more than I expected to," he said. "I didn't expect to cry as much as I did during the ceremony. I was borderline bawling when I saw Kaia and her dad walk down the aisle."
Karlaftis and Harris attended the same high school in West Lafayette and met on the track team. They later attended Purdue University together, got engaged in April last year, and are now officially married.
"I also really enjoyed when Kaia and I were doing the cake cutting, the first dance, [and] walking into the reception to 'Freed From Desire,' " Karlaftis added. "The food was great, too."
The Chiefs' defensive end was born in Athens, where his father, Mathios Karlaftis, met his mother at Purdue University before the family eventually settled in the United States. Karlaftis lived in Greece until he was 13, which is why the couple chose to wed in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony.
The newlyweds are now celebrating their honeymoon in Greece and are looking forward to "starting a family" and "building a life together." Before the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp begins from June 9 to 11, Karlaftis still has plenty of time to enjoy married life.
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