Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson is currently embroiled in a paternity lawsuit with his ex-girlfriend Andrea Galea. The lawsuit, filed in Essex County, New Jersey Family Court, alleges that Jefferson pressured Galea into getting an abortion and is now refusing to acknowledge or support their child, Stella, who was born in late December.
According to reports, Jefferson and Galea were romantically involved in 2019 and reconnected in April 2023. Galea, a former swimmer at LSU where Jefferson also attended, claims that Jefferson fathered her daughter, Stella, and is now seeking financial support and healthcare coverage for the child. She also accuses Jefferson of pressuring her to abort the child mid-pregnancy.
In response, Jefferson has filed a counterclaim demanding a paternity test and an injunction preventing Galea from sharing any more information about their child. He alleges that Galea, who has a substantial following on social media, is using the child’s birth to promote her online presence and following.
Text messages between Jefferson and Galea have been included in the court filings, with Jefferson questioning whether Galea had taken a Plan B pill to terminate the pregnancy. Despite earning millions of dollars per year, Galea claims that Jefferson has not provided any financial support for their child and has shown a firm unwillingness to support the child emotionally or otherwise.
The lawsuit comes at a critical time for Jefferson, as he is entering a pivotal contract year with the Vikings. Playing on a $19.7 million team option to conclude his rookie contract, Jefferson is due for a potentially market-setting extension within the next year. The outcome of the paternity lawsuit could have significant implications for his future both on and off the field.
As the legal battle between Jefferson and Galea continues to unfold, the public will be watching closely to see how this high-profile case plays out. The allegations of pressure to abort the child and refusal to provide financial support have raised important questions about fatherhood, accountability, and the responsibilities of professional athletes in their personal lives.
