When the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, there was a moment that the cameras caught — and that the internet immediately ran with. It wasn’t just the draft pick. It was the hug. Dart embraced his mother, Kara, as his name was called, and the image went viral almost instantly.
Kara Dart had already been a topic of conversation since draft night, and she hasn’t stopped turning heads since. From the 2025 NFL Draft to her son’s preseason debut with the Giants to a speech at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony that left fans talking, Kara Dart has become one of the most recognized and admired NFL moms in recent memory.
But beyond the viral moments, there’s a genuine story here — about a family rooted in Utah, a father who played college football, a mother who built her own fitness brand, and the values that produced a Gatorade National Player of the Year, an Ole Miss record-breaker, and the New York Giants’ starting quarterback
| Full Name | Kara Dart |
| Known As | Jaxson Dart’s mom |
| Hometown | Utah (Kaysville area) |
| Profession | Former Nordstrom employee; now fitness entrepreneur |
| @runningwithkara | |
| Husband | Brandon Dart (former Utah Utes defensive back) |
| Son | Jaxson Dart, QB — New York Giants |
| Went Viral | 2025 NFL Draft, preseason debut, 2026 NFL Honors |
Who Is Kara Dart?
Kara Dart is the mother of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and the wife of former Utah Utes defensive back Brandon Dart. She is a fitness entrepreneur based in Utah, where she runs a fitness-based program documented on her Instagram account, @runningwithkara. She previously worked for Nordstrom before transitioning to fitness.
Kara became a public figure in April 2025 when the Giants selected Jaxson with the 25th overall pick in the NFL Draft — and the cameras caught her emotional reaction and the mother-son embrace that followed the announcement. That moment went viral and introduced Kara Dart to a massive audience beyond the football community. Since then, she has continued to generate headlines — for her appearance at Jaxson’s preseason debut, for her speech at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony, and for the consistent, visible presence she maintains as a support system for her son at the highest level of professional football.
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Her Career — From Nordstrom to Fitness Entrepreneur
Kara Dart’s professional background reflects the same drive and self-investment that she has instilled in her son. She worked for Nordstrom in a professional capacity before transitioning to building her own fitness platform. Her Instagram page, @runningwithkara, documents her fitness journey and program — workouts, running content, and a lifestyle built around physical discipline and health. The account reflects someone who has built genuine commitment to fitness into her daily life, not as a side interest but as a serious personal and professional pursuit.
When Jaxson went viral at the 2025 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills — with fans and media commentating extensively on Kara’s appearance in the stands — many were surprised to learn she wasn’t just attending the game but maintained a consistent fitness lifestyle that was visible to anyone following her on social media.
The 2025 NFL Draft Viral Moment
The 2025 NFL Draft produced one of its most talked-about moments not from the picks themselves but from the reaction in the crowd. When the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart at pick No. 25 in the first round — the second quarterback off the board after Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to the Titans — Jaxson’s embrace with his mother Kara became one of the most shared images of the night.
Sports media and social media immediately picked up on the moment. Whiskey Riff wrote that the NFL Draft had been “won” by Kara Dart, drawing comparisons to the viral moments generated by other NFL mothers in previous years — including Zach Wilson’s mother, who had generated significant social media attention at an earlier draft.
The moment was organic, unscripted, and completely genuine — which is exactly why it resonated. Jaxson’s selection had been somewhat surprising to experts who had expected the Giants to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders instead. The surprise of the pick combined with the emotional family reaction created a genuinely memorable draft-night moment.
Going Viral at Jaxson’s Preseason Debut
In August 2025, Jaxson Dart made his preseason debut with the New York Giants against the Buffalo Bills. The Giants won 34-25, and Dart delivered an impressive performance: 12 completions on 19 attempts for 159 yards and a touchdown, leading three consecutive scoring drives in the second quarter. Head coach Brian Daboll was pleased, describing the outing as “efficient, effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket” — exactly what he expected.
But the conversation on social media was not only about Dart’s play. Kara Dart’s appearance in the stands generated its own significant wave of commentary, with fans noting her athletic appearance and the consistency with which she had supported her son at every stage of his career. The preseason viral moment reinforced what the draft night image had established: Kara Dart had become a recognizable figure in Jaxson’s public story, not just a background presence.
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The 2026 NFL Honors Speech
At the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony, Jaxson Dart was nominated for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. All five finalists received heartfelt messages from someone close to them, and Dart’s message came from Kara. Her speech at the ceremony generated some of the most positive response of the evening. One fan wrote: “She definitely won the award for the best speech out of that group.” Others commented on her presence and delivery.
In her speech, Kara captured something genuine about her son: “Jaxson has always been physically talented, but what makes him special isn’t what’s necessarily recorded on a stat sheet. Jaxson is the definition of a true competitor. His will for greatness is unique and truly contagious.” The Offensive Rookie of the Year award ultimately went to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, but Kara’s speech — and her presence at the ceremony — was widely praised as one of the evening’s highlights.
How Kara Shaped Jaxson’s Career and Style
Beyond the emotional support and game attendance, Kara Dart has influenced Jaxson in specific and identifiable ways. Most notably, Jaxson has credited his mother with shaping his sense of personal style — a quality that has made him one of the more fashion-forward quarterbacks in the NFL.
In an interview with GQ Sports before the 2025 NFL Draft, Dart said: “My mom’s into it, and she’s done a great job of letting me choose and find things that I like and just giving me options. At the same time, it’s just something that I’ve come to really love and to express myself in different ways.” Dart’s pregame outfits during his rookie season with the Giants turned heads consistently — and by his own account, his mother’s early encouragement and guidance around personal expression is part of what made him comfortable developing that side of his identity.
Jaxson’s Dad Brandon Dart — The Football Foundation
While Kara has generated the most public attention, Jaxson’s father Brandon Dart is an important part of the family story. Brandon played as a defensive back (safety) for the Utah Utes football team across two separate periods — from 1994 to 1996 and again from 1999 to 2000. He attended Northridge High School before joining the University of Utah.
Brandon’s football background gave Jaxson something invaluable: a father who understood the game deeply and could provide genuine coaching and mentorship from an early age. Brandon taught Jaxson the details of football — how quarterbacks read defenses, how to prepare mentally as well as physically — in a way that only someone who has played the game at a high level can. The combination of Brandon’s football knowledge and Kara’s encouragement of self-expression and competitive drive created the complete athlete that NFL scouts evaluated at the 2025 Combine and the Giants selected in the first round.
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Jaxson Dart’s Career Overview
| Stage | Details | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| High School (Corner Canyon HS, Draper, UT) | Elite recruit; Draper, Utah | Gatorade National Player of the Year |
| USC (2021) | 6 games, 3 starts as true freshman | 62% completion rate, 1,353 yards, 9 TDs |
| Ole Miss (2022–2024) | Transfer; became face of Rebels program | 4,279 yards (2024), 29 TDs, 6 INTs; Conerly Trophy; school records |
| 2025 NFL Draft | Selected 25th overall by New York Giants | 2nd QB drafted; first-round pick |
| Giants Rookie Season (2025) | Named starter Week 4 | 63.7% completion, 2,272 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; 487 rushing yards, 9 TDs |
| 2026 NFL Honors | Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist | Mom Kara’s speech became one of ceremony’s highlights |
Key Takeaways
- Jaxson Dart’s mom is Kara Dart — a fitness entrepreneur from Utah who runs the @runningwithkara Instagram platform and previously worked for Nordstrom.
- She went viral at the 2025 NFL Draft when Jaxson was selected 25th overall by the New York Giants and the mother-son embrace was captured by cameras.
- She went viral again at Jaxson’s preseason debut against the Bills in August 2025.
- At the 2026 NFL Honors, Kara delivered a speech about Jaxson that fans called the best of the evening: “Jaxson is the definition of a true competitor.”
- Jaxson has credited Kara with shaping his personal style, telling GQ Sports that his mother helped him develop his approach to fashion and self-expression.
- Jaxson’s father Brandon Dart played defensive back for the Utah Utes and provided the football knowledge foundation for Jaxson’s career.
- Jaxson was named Giants starter in Week 4 of the 2025 season and finished with 2,272 passing yards, 15 TDs, and 5 INTs in his rookie year.
FAQs
Who is Jaxson Dart’s mom?
Jaxson Dart’s mom is Kara Dart. She is a fitness entrepreneur from Utah who runs the @runningwithkara Instagram program and previously worked for Nordstrom. She became widely known after going viral at the 2025 NFL Draft when Jaxson was selected by the New York Giants.
Why did Jaxson Dart’s mom go viral?
Kara Dart first went viral at the 2025 NFL Draft when cameras captured her emotional embrace with Jaxson after he was selected 25th overall. She went viral again at his preseason debut with the Giants and attracted significant attention at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony where she delivered a memorable speech about her son.
What does Jaxson Dart’s mom do for work?
Kara Dart is a fitness entrepreneur who runs a fitness-based program documented on her Instagram account @runningwithkara. She previously worked for the retail company Nordstrom before transitioning to fitness.
What did Kara Dart say at the NFL Honors?
At the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony, Kara Dart said of her son: “Jaxson has always been physically talented, but what makes him special isn’t what’s necessarily recorded on a stat sheet. Jaxson is the definition of a true competitor. His will for greatness is unique and truly contagious.” Her speech was widely praised as the standout of the evening.
Who is Jaxson Dart’s dad?
Jaxson Dart’s father is Brandon Dart, who played as a defensive back (safety) for the Utah Utes football team from 1994 to 1996 and again from 1999 to 2000. Brandon’s football background gave Jaxson foundational knowledge of the game from an early age.
Did Kara Dart influence Jaxson’s fashion sense?
Yes. Jaxson has credited his mother with shaping his approach to personal style. He told GQ Sports: “My mom’s into it, and she’s done a great job of letting me choose and find things that I like and just giving me options.” Dart’s pregame outfits became a notable topic during his rookie Giants season.
Where is Jaxson Dart from?
Jaxson Dart was born on May 13, 2003, in Kaysville, Utah. He attended Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, where he became a Gatorade National Player of the Year before committing to USC and later transferring to Ole Miss.
Disclaimer
We are an educational platform, not professional counselors, therapists, or medical experts. The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional parenting, medical, psychological, or legal advice. Every family and child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making decisions about your family’s health, education, or well-being. I share my personal experiences here purely for entertainment purposes, so please do not take them too seriously or apply them to yourself without proper consideration.
