Mallory and Dansby Swanson: A Love of Their Own
Mallory Swanson & Dansby Swanson
First came love, then came championship titles, then came marriage. At least, that was the case for Mallory Pugh and Dansby Swanson. The powerhouse striker for the Chicago Red Stars married Dansby, the star shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, making them one of sports' greatest power couples. While their story is a testament to true love and mutual support, it has also become a juggling act of thriving in their respective sports while occasionally having a long-distance relationship. Mallory is currently making her second Olympic appearance in Paris 2024 while Dansby is playing his second season with the Cubs, which makes it a perfect time to get to know the windy city’s athletic royal couple.
Love is Blind
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The pair met in 2017 on a blind date set up by Jace Peterson, Swanson’s former teammate from the Atlanta Braves. He suggested Dansby should meet his wife Brianna’s sister, Mallory. The pair met for their first date at a coffee shop, which Dansby later admitted he appreciated since it allowed them to get to know each other and build a connection in a more relaxed setting. One year later, they went Instagram official through a picture posted by Mallory, captioned with a simple black heart emoji. Since then, they have been supporting each other’s careers as much as they can with their busy work schedules and constant traveling.
“She’s amazing,” Swanson said. “I mean, I tell her this, but like, I think part of the reason why I’ve grown as a player is her. She pushes me just as much as I push myself.”
Love is Patient
The NWSL icon was playing for the Washington Spirit when their relationship began. Mallory has also been a part of the USWNT since she was 17 years old. She eventually went on to play for the NJ Gotham FC (formerly known as the Sky Blue FC) and is now signed with the Chicago Red Stars. Dansby played seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves and was a key element in their World Series win in 2021. As professional athletes playing in different sports and states, most of their relationship has been long-distance.
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They have credited communication, trust, and support as key elements to making the long-distance relationship work. However, the stars finally aligned when, a couple of days after their enchanted Georgia wedding, Swanson was offered a seven-year contract by the Chicago Cubs in 2022, giving the newlyweds a chance to play for the same city for the first time. When his signing was announced, Dansby shared, “It was tough at times not being in the same city and able to enjoy life together as a married couple. Being able to serve our purpose together in God’s kingdom means a lot to each of us, and to be able to do that in the same city is pretty amazing.”
Love is Kind
As they have constantly demonstrated publicly, they are each other’s biggest supporters. Being in a long-distance relationship often meant they couldn't be there for each other, and they made sure to show up in every possible way. Whether it was Dansby wearing a t-shirt during warm-ups praising his wife or Mallory imitating his classic moves in an Opening Day celebration video, the Swansons never miss a chance to express their mutual appreciation. Even when she's not physically there, Pugh manages to celebrate the big milestones with Swanson, like the time she shared a photoshopped picture of the two “celebrating” his team going into the World Series.
US Women’s National Team
With Mallory currently competing in Paris and Dansby staying back in Chicago for his season games, the couple continues to excel in their respective fields and prove why they are truly athletic royalty. Two games into the Olympics, she’s already breaking records by scoring the fastest two goals by a single player in a major tournament in USWNT history during the USWNT’s Paris debut against Zambia. She added a third one to the tally during the second game against Germany, tying her with first place for top scorer of the tournament. With her amazing determination and evident display of talent, it’s clear she is ready to help her team claim the gold, and Dansby will undoubtedly be there to celebrate it, even if he is not physically there.