Skylene Montgomery is the wife of Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, a former nurse and beauty pageant titleholder who married the NFL coaching legend in 2021. Her story combines a career in healthcare, a background in competitive pageantry, and an unexpected romance that began with a simple phone call for football tickets. This article looks at who she is, how she met Sean Payton, and what her life looks like away from the football field.
Skylene Montgomery: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Skylene Montgomery |
| Known For | Wife of NFL coach Sean Payton, nurse, former beauty queen |
| Date of Birth | 4 December 1984 |
| Birthplace | Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA |
| Education | Marshall University (exercise physiology), Loyola University (advanced nursing degree) |
| Profession | Registered nurse, former volleyball coach |
| Pageant Title | Miss West Virginia (2008) |
| Spouse | Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos |
| Marriage Date | 18 June 2021, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
| Charity Involvement | Play It Forward Foundation, Moonlight and Miracles Ball, Harvest at Home |
| Notable Connection | Met Payton in 2014 while requesting NFL game tickets |
Who is Skylene Montgomery?
Skylene Montgomery is an American nurse, former volleyball coach, and beauty pageant winner best known as the second wife of NFL coach Sean Payton. She was born on 4 December 1984 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and grew up as an only child in a sporting household.
She has worked extensively in healthcare and community causes throughout her adult life, alongside her connection to professional football through her marriage. Her low public profile before meeting Payton means most of what is known about her has emerged through interviews given after her relationship with the coach became public.
Early Life and Education
Montgomery grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the daughter of Skylar and Darlene Montgomery. She has described her childhood as tomboyish, favouring baseball and messy shorts over dance classes her mother once encouraged.
She attended Parkersburg South High School, where she played all-state volleyball and softball. She went on to study exercise physiology at Marshall University, where she also served as vice president of the Delta Zeta sorority chapter. She later pursued nursing qualifications, gaining an advanced nursing degree from Loyola University after her undergraduate studies.
Miss West Virginia Title
Before her nursing career took shape, Montgomery competed in beauty pageants. In 2008, she won the Miss West Virginia title and went on to compete at the Miss USA pageant that same year. This chapter of her life gave her early public visibility long before she became known as Sean Payton’s wife.
Career as a Nurse
Nursing has been the constant thread through Montgomery’s professional life. She worked as a nurse in the Gastrointensive Care Unit at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, a role that placed her at the centre of critical patient care.
She has also held nursing positions in North Carolina and West Virginia, including a role at St Mary’s Hospital in Huntington. Alongside clinical work, she took part in humanitarian efforts such as Hurricane Katrina relief programmes, reflecting a career built around service as much as medicine.
How Did Skylene Montgomery Meet Sean Payton?
Montgomery and Payton met in 2014 under unusual circumstances. While working as a nurse in North Carolina, she asked a friend to help her get football tickets for herself and some coworkers. The contact number she was given turned out to belong to Payton himself, who was then head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
She met him in person during a pre-game event to thank him for the tickets, shortly after Payton had finalised his divorce from his first wife, Beth Shuey. The pair began dating not long afterwards, and their relationship developed away from the spotlight for several years.
Engagement and Wedding
Payton proposed to Montgomery on 8 November 2019 at a private event she believed was simply an anniversary celebration. Their engagement was made public two days later during a Saints versus Falcons game broadcast.
The couple married on 18 June 2021 in an intimate ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Former NBA player and coach Avery Johnson, a long-time friend of Payton’s, officiated the wedding, which was attended only by close family and friends.
Skylene Montgomery and the Payton Family
Sean Payton has two children from his first marriage to Beth Shuey: daughter Meghan Payton and son Connor Payton. Montgomery has become part of this blended family since marrying Payton, supporting him through his coaching career and public life.
She has shown consistent support for his professional moves, including his switch to become head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2023. According to Payton, Montgomery was enthusiastic about the new opportunity when he made the transition from New Orleans to Denver.
Community and Charity Work
Montgomery is closely involved with Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation, an organisation focused on improving the lives of families and children through health, education, and social welfare initiatives. This work has continued through the couple’s move to Denver.
She has also worked alongside New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson on the Moonlight and Miracles Ball, which raises funds for the Ochsner Cancer Institute. In addition, she supports the Harvest at Home fundraiser for Second Harvest, a food bank charity. Outside of philanthropy, she previously coached volleyball for the Bayou Sports Club-USA Club team.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Friends describe Montgomery as private by nature. Her friend Jennifer Ansardi has said she is independent, wise, poised, and caring, someone who supports her husband without seeking attention for herself.
This preference for privacy was illustrated when she was filmed by a stadium jumbotron during a Saints game. Rather than assuming the camera was on her, Montgomery believed it was capturing actor Vince Vaughn, who happened to be sitting beside her at the time.
Conclusion
Skylene Montgomery’s life reflects far more than her marriage to a high-profile NFL coach. She built a career in nursing, earned recognition as Miss West Virginia, and has quietly supported charitable causes for years. Her relationship with Sean Payton, which began with a chance phone call in 2014, led to marriage in 2021 and a life that blends healthcare, philanthropy, and football alongside her husband’s coaching career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Skylene Montgomery?
Skylene Montgomery is an American nurse and former Miss West Virginia titleholder who is married to Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. She has worked in healthcare and community charity work throughout her adult life.
How did Skylene Montgomery meet Sean Payton?
They met in 2014 when Montgomery, then working as a nurse, called a number to arrange football tickets that turned out to belong to Payton. They began dating shortly after and married in 2021.
When did Sean Payton and Skylene Montgomery get married?
The couple married on 18 June 2021 in a private ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Former NBA coach Avery Johnson officiated the wedding.
What does Skylene Montgomery do for a living?
Skylene Montgomery has worked as a registered nurse, including a role in the Gastrointestinal Intensive Care Unit at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. She has also coached volleyball and taken part in charitable initiatives.
Does Skylene Montgomery have children with Sean Payton?
Skylene Montgomery does not have biological children with Sean Payton. She is stepmother to his two children, Meghan and Connor, from his first marriage to Beth Shuey.
