feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

“I always dreamed of getting proposed to at the Olympics.” For Breezy Johnson, that dream became real just days before Valentine’s Day. Well, on Feb. 12, the American skier stood in the snow at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics fresh off her gold medal in the women’s downhill.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Then in super G, which marked her final race (Did not return to the podium that day). Still, what unfolded in the finish area moments later had nothing to do with medals or race clocks and everything to do with love.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

With teammates gathered around in the finish area, her long-time boyfriend, Connor Watkins, stepped forward. In the middle of the course, surrounded by cheers and cameras, he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. And Johnson said yes.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It felt fitting to kind of combine two of my loves,” she said later. “It’s a special place at the Olympics. There’s something about it that feels different.”

The proposal turned an already emotional Olympics into something personal. But who is the man, Watkins, behind the moment?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Who is Breezy Johnson’s fiancé, Connor Watkins?

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Connor Watkins grew up far from the alpine skiing world but found his calling on the football field. Over the years, he developed into a college quarterback. He wore the jersey number 4 for the Villanova University Wildcats and led with poise and purpose under center.

Over his college career, Watkins put up solid numbers, throwing for 7,028 yards with 50 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. After six seasons at Villanova, he declared for the NFL Draft in December 2024. While he was not selected, he stayed in the mix, earning workouts and visits with NFL teams.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Philadelphia Eagles brought him in for a pre-draft visit and workout in spring 2025, and he later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a rookie minicamp as he pushed for a chance to make a roster as an undrafted free agent.

How did Breezy Johnson meet her fiance Connor Watkins?

The pair had been together for nearly two and a half years by the time the 2026 Winter Olympics arrived. Watkins was already planning his proposal for more than a year. Although they have kept most of their relationship out of the public eye, they have shared how it began.

ADVERTISEMENT

The two met on a dating app, and Watkins, who works in construction, had no idea at first that Johnson was a world-class ski racer. He later admitted he knew almost nothing about the sport and was surprised when he learned who she was.

article-image

Imago

“I was a little taken aback. I had very little knowledge of ski racing and everything else,” he said. What started as a simple online match slowly grew into a blossoming relationship, one that led to an unforgettable proposal on the Olympic stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Did Breezy Johnson expect the surprise engagement?

Not exactly. Johnson had once told Connor that she had always dreamed of getting engaged at the Olympics, so the idea was out there. But when the moment actually happened, it still caught her in a wave of emotion. “And he did a great job.”

ADVERTISEMENT

So what comes next for the newly engaged couple? Watkins shared that they planned to slow things down after the Games. “We’re going to take a little trip after this, may go to Livigno for a few days,” he said. “And then we’ll see where the road takes us next.”

What is Breezy Johnson’s fiance Connor Watkins’s, net worth?

Connor Watkins’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed.

How Breezy Johnson and Connor Watkins support each other’s careers

Watkins has cheered Johnson at ski races for two and a half thrilling years, evolving from newbie fan to finish-line regular. Long before her Olympic spotlight, he showed up consistently. By her downhill gold triumph, there he was again, roaring from the stands.

Reflecting on gold and an engagement at the Games, Johnson told NBC that “it’s definitely a lot more crazy with everything just happening all at once, and the reality of it is so different than the way you imagined, and so much better.”

The Olympian added, “There’s nothing better than doing well and having somebody to share it with.”

Connor now lives and breathes ski racing, grasping its highs and hazards like a pro. He supports Breezy as boyfriend and confidant under pressure. Alongside the ring, he gifted wood etched with Taylor Swift’s “The Alchemy” lyric: “Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy.”

On Today, Watkins spilled he had a “plan B” if her crash wrecked the moment. She tumbled but skied down, letting him kneel as dreamed.

“Really nervous,” he confessed, feeling it “every time she goes down the hill.” “I wanted her to do well, but I just wanted her to be safe, too.” Relief hit when she rose: “She got up after the crash and was good, and that was a sign of relief. And then my heart started racing again because I knew I was about to go and get down on my own knee and propose.”

How did fans react to Breezy Johnson’s engagement proposal?

When Connor proposed at the finish line after Breezy’s super‑G race, the moment was full of celebration. Her teammates, coaches and everyone nearby cheered as the couple kissed and embraced after she said yes by wearing ring which had blue gemstone in centre.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team also shared their excitement on X, writing: “Huge congrats to Breezy and Connor on their engagement!”

And fans also joined in online flooding the post with love. One comment read: “What a romantic moment at the Olympics! Congrats Breezy, that’s one for the books.” Another added, “Congratulations to the happy couple!” and yet another said, “Congrats dear Breezy!!! What a day!!!”

The reactions show just how much this joyful Olympic moment resonated with fans around the world!

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Maleeha Shakeel

3,385 Articles

Maleeha Shakeel is a Senior Olympic Sports Writer at EssentiallySports, known for covering some of the biggest moments in global sport. From the World Athletics Championships 2023 to the Paris Olympics 2024 and the Winter Cup 2025, she has reported live on events that define sporting history. Her coverage has also been Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Firdows Matheen

ADVERTISEMENT