Lauren Ranson, the longtime girlfriend of Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, comes from a family deeply rooted in sports, and at the heart of that legacy is her grandfather, the legendary Jim Ranson (often called Coach Ranson or Jimmie Earl Ranson).
As McBride continues to make headlines, including setting the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 119 catches in the 2025 season, Lauren’s connection to her grandfather’s storied career adds a special layer to her story and the couple’s shared love for athletics.
Lauren, a Pueblo, Colorado native, graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 2018, where she was a standout varsity athlete in volleyball, track and field, and basketball.
She went on to attend Colorado State University (CSU), majoring in apparel merchandising and design, the same school where she met Trey during his standout years with the Rams.
The couple has been together since their college days, with Lauren often cheering him on from the stands and sharing glimpses of their life on her Instagram.
She’s described her favorite athlete as her grandpa, once saying,
“It would have to be my grandpa (Jim Ranson). He’s the coolest and has done so much in his life. I like listening to stories people have told me about when he played. I’ve seen a few pictures of him playing baseball too. It’s pretty cool.”
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Her grandfather, Jim Ranson, was a true Colorado sports icon whose influence spanned decades as both an athlete and coach.
Born on June 7, 1928, in Florence, Colorado, to Foster Wilson and Marian Ranson, Jim grew up in the Canon City area before heading to Colorado A&M (now CSU), where he graduated in 1950 after excelling in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.
He was a standout first baseman on the only CSU team to reach the College World Series in 1950. On the track team, he even set the Marine Corps record in the high jump.
A memorable story from his college days captures his incredible athleticism: challenged by baseball teammates, he high-jumped in street clothes, outperforming others, and made the track team on the spot under coach Harry Hughes’ watchful eye.
He also finished as runner-up for the 1950 Nye Award, given to CSU’s most outstanding male athlete.
After college, Jim served in the United States Marines and played professional baseball in the New York Yankees farm system, reaching the AAA level before transitioning to education and coaching.
He began his teaching career at Corwin Middle School in 1959 and spent 30 remarkable years at Pueblo Central High School, retiring in 1989.
As head boys basketball coach, he led nine teams to the state tournament, reached two state championship games, and compiled a 238-133 record.
His teams were known for their discipline and heart, and he was selected to coach the South All-State team in 1964. He also coached baseball at Central during his tenure.
Jim’s impact was so profound that in 2009, the Central High School gymnasium court was officially named the “Jim Ranson Court, a lasting tribute where Lauren herself played basketball and called it an honor to compete on her grandfather’s namesake floor.
His accolades include induction into the Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003, the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, and the Central Hall of Honor in 2010.
He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post #2 and BPOE #90, and his dedication to Pueblo sports made him a beloved figure among students, athletes, and colleagues.
Jim married Rochelle (Reynolds) Ranson, and they shared 64 years until his passing on May 7, 2018, at age 89 (some records note May 6).
He was survived by Rochelle, their children Jimmie, Cheryl, Bradley, and Clay, and grandchildren, including Lauren.
Donations in his memory went to the Jim Ranson Basketball Scholarship Fund, reflecting his lifelong commitment to helping young athletes.
Lauren’s pride in her grandfather shines through in how she speaks about him, and it’s easy to see how that family legacy of grit, passion, and sports excellence has influenced her life—and perhaps even rubs off on Trey as he continues dominating on the field.
In a world of big NFL contracts and records, stories like this remind us that some of the best support comes from the generations before, etched in gym floors and family memories.
