Mallory Pugh and Dansby Swanson’s Relationship Journey Timeline

As Mallory Swanson and the U.S. Women’s National Team aim for Olympic gold in France today, her husband Dansby Swanson will be cheering her on from back in Chicago.

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because, like Mallory, Dansby is a professional athlete. He’s an MLB shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. Mallory, on the other hand, represents the U.S. in international soccer competitions and plays for the Chicago Red Stars. This power couple has been together for seven years, supporting each other in their impressive careers.

“I love everything about her,” Dansby expressed about Mallory last year. “She brings so much good out in me. She just brings such a level of comfort being around her and so being able to be around each other more often and bring those kinds of things out of one another is gonna be so awesome.”

They first met in 2017 on a blind date, set up by Dansby’s Atlanta Braves teammate Jace Peterson. Jace is married to Mallory’s sister, Brianna Pugh. Dansby described their relationship by saying, “Me and him are pretty much family, as close as you can be without being actual family. Ride or die.” He added, “We wouldn’t have met if I didn’t get traded to Atlanta. It’s pretty awesome.”

They kept their relationship under wraps for a while, but in December 2018, they went public with a simple snap on Mallory’s Instagram feed. Shortly after, Dansby posted a photo of them together on Christmas.

The couple continued their long-distance relationship, with Mallory playing for the Washington Spirit and Dansby with the Braves. In November 2021, after winning the World Series with the Braves, Dansby publicly acknowledged his love for Mallory, and a month later, he proposed to her. “Mr. and Mrs. Swanson coming soon,” Dansby wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of him down on one knee, while Mallory posted, “Forever with you.”

The couple tied the knot at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, on December 10, 2022. “To get married in front of our family and friends is so special,” they shared with People. “It means that we are becoming one and get to impact God’s kingdom together.”

A week after their marriage, Dansby signed a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. This meant they no longer had to deal with a long-distance relationship. “It means the world for me to be able to be here with her,” Dansby said during his introductory press conference with the Cubs. “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. I also complain every year that I don’t get to watch her play that much, except for on my iPad,” he added, expressing his excitement to support her in person.

In January 2023, Mallory made the decision to change her last name. From the start of 2023, she officially began going by “Swanson,” wearing it proudly on her jersey.

On April 8, 2023, tragedy struck when Mallory tore her left patellar tendon during a friendly match ahead of the Women’s World Cup. Dansby rushed to be by her side and later left a game early, feeling physically and emotionally spent. “I’m glad that we can be here together. I couldn’t imagine being apart right now,” Dansby told MLB.com. “She’s alright. Everybody knows it’s a pretty tough and heartbreaking situation. I’m heartbroken for her, just a lot of tears and sadness. Two things can be true at the same time: We can be sad and upset, but we can also understand God’s bigger picture and plans. We’ll get through it together.”

He reiterated, “I’m glad that we can be here together. I couldn’t imagine being apart right now.”

Source: People, MLB.com