Sheryl Swoopes, the first player to sign with the WNBA in 1996, captured fans with her incredible skills as a guard-forward while her personal life, especially the story of her husband, is also interesting and full of surprises.
54-year-old, Sheryl’s journey in love began in June 1995 when she married her high school sweetheart, Eric Jackson, from Brownfield, Texas.
The two were young and in love, and just two years later, in 1997, they welcomed their son, Jordan Eric Jackson, into the world. The story behind his name is one for the books.
Sheryl and Eric, pregnant with their first child, were at an NBA Finals game in Chicago. They were watching Sheryl’s friend, Michael Jordan, do what he does best.
The couple seized the moment as His Airness playfully palmed Sheryl’s pregnant belly.
They asked if they could name their son after him. Ever the charmer, Michael agreed with a grin and a playful condition:
“I would be honored,But he has to be able to do two things. He has to be able to shoot, and he has to be able to dunk. If he can’t do that, I’m taking my name back.”
Via Houston Chronicle
Well, Jordan Jackson must have inherited some of that basketball magic. Today, he’s a successful basketball player, making his parents and famous namesake proud.
Sadly, Sheryl and Eric’s love story didn’t stand the test of time.
By 1999, after just four years of marriage, they parted ways.
The reason for their split remains private, leaving fans to wonder what went wrong between the high school sweethearts.
But life had more chapters in store for Sheryl, and they’d be anything but predictable.
Sheryl Made Headlines Again, This Time Off The Court
In October 2005, she announced to the world that she was gay, becoming one of the most high-profile team-sport athletes to come out publicly.
At a time when such declarations were rare, her courage shone as brightly as her game.
In an ESPN interview, she spoke from the heart:
“it doesn’t change who I am. I can’t help who I fall in love with. No one can. Discovering I’m gay just sort of happened much later in life. My partner, Alisa Scott, was probably the best friend I had when I was going through the tough times in my marriage. I’m also a firm believer that when you fall in love with somebody, you can’t control that.”
Via ESPN
That “somebody” was Alisa Scott, a former basketball player and assistant coach for the Houston Comets.
Sheryl and Alisa had been dating since 1998, even while Sheryl guided her marriage to Eric.
Together, they raised Jordan, co-parenting with Eric after the divorce.
The couple quickly became a beloved “it” queer duo in the WNBA world, showing the league and the public what love and family could look like.
But like her first marriage, this relationship wasn’t meant to last forever.
In 2011, Sheryl and Alisa parted ways, closing another chapter in her evolving story.
Just when fans thought Sheryl had figured it out, she threw everyone a curveball.
Later, in 2011, she got engaged to Chris Unclesho, a longtime male friend.
The news stunned those who’d followed her journey after all, and she’d openly identified as gay.
Suddenly, Sheryl Swoopes’ husband-to-be became the talk of the town.
Chris wasn’t a stranger to Sheryl; they’d known each other for years.
He attended Marian Christian High School and built a life as an artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
After a long engagement of six years, to be exact, the couple tied the knot on July 21, 2017.
Their wedding marked a new beginning, but it also sparked endless curiosity. Was Sheryl no longer gay? What did this mean for her identity?
As speculation swirled, it became clear: Sheryl is bisexual. Love, for her, isn’t confined by labels, it’s about the person. And that person, for now, is Chris.
Today, Sheryl Swoopes’ Husband, Chris Unclesho, Keeps A Low Profile
He’s the supportive spouse in the background, letting Sheryl’s star shine while he pursues his passions.
Together, they’ve built something special: Twenty Two Farm, a venture they started in 2018.
The farm reflects their love for a simpler life, away from the spotlight.
You might spot them together at events, Chris in his understated way, Sheryl with her magnetic presence.
They’ve weathered the public’s questions and carved out a marriage that works for them.
While Sheryl’s basketball legacy remains iconic, with three MVP awards, four WNBA championships, and a gold medal with Team USA, her personal life proves she’s just as fearless off the court.
Sheryl Swoopes’ husband, Chris, is part of a journey that’s been messy, beautiful, and honest.
From high school romance to raising a son with an NBA legend’s blessing, from coming out as gay to embracing bisexuality, Sheryl’s life is a testament to living authentically.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Swoopes was born in Brownfield, Texas, and raised by her mother, Louise Swoopes. She played basketball with her three older brothers.
- Swoopes was recruited for the Houston Comets of the WNBA during the 1997 inaugural season.
- She was named an LGBT History Month Icon by the Equality Forum.
