Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Daniela Rajic this week.
In photos posted to social media, the six-time All-Star can be seen getting down on one knee, popping the question, and then Rajic saying “yes.”
George and Rajic have something of a colorful history together. According to the International Business Times, George first got Rajic pregnant back in 2013 or 2014 when she was still a dancer at Tootsie’s in Miami, Florida, and he was still dating Doc Rivers’ daughter, Callie. A messy legal battle between the pair then ensued.
As noted by the Daily Mail, during the legal proceedings, a rumor emerged that George offered Rajic $1 million to abort the child. George, through his legal representatives, has consistently maintained that this is untrue. “There is no truth to the rumors that Paul offered money for [Daniela] not to have the child,” a spokesman told TMZ Sports at the time.
George also promised that he would take care of the child if it was proven that he was in fact the father.
Don’t worry everybody, Bronny is fine. https://t.co/1o3FyJgFZ2
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 5, 2020
“If and when there is legal confirmation that I am the father, I will fully embrace my responsibilities,” he told TMZ. “This is a personal matter that is still being sorted out, so I hope you can respect my privacy.”
Eventually, George and Rajic came to an agreement and his lawyer released a statement indicating the matter was settled.
Yikes. https://t.co/IxdXWJyld2
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 6, 2020
“They have reached a settlement with full joint custody and a financial package,” the statement read. “They will be raising their daughter together. Paul George had always intended to do the right thing, and he is thrilled to have a daughter. The settlement is generous, the child is going to have a wonderful life, and both parents will be equally involved in bringing her up.”
Interesting. https://t.co/soEtRm8Exo
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 6, 2020
Fast forward three years, and things between George and Rajic seemed to improve dramatically. In 2017, she gave birth to a second child – a little girl named Natasha. Three more years later, and the pair is now engaged.
Because Twitter is Twitter, folks had some notable reactions to George’s engagement.
I can’t believe he missed her finger and hit the side of her head
— ThiccVanExel (@ThicccVanExel) November 7, 2020
Congratulations to Dame’s son for getting engaged 👏🏼
— 5’9 and built different (@NumbFromThePain) November 7, 2020
Only ring he’ll get
— BGN (@BullsGotNext) November 7, 2020
Chicken wings and strippers. Clippers 2020
— 𝓙𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓲 💜💛 (@iLoVeAnTdAviS) November 7, 2020
Personal happenings notwithstanding, this will be an intriguing offseason for George. He has been connected to possible trades involving the Brooklyn Nets, as well as the New York Knicks, so it will be fun to see if any of those come to fruition. In the mean time, though — he can just sit back and enjoy life.
Related: Are The Patriots Trading Bill Belichick For 2 Draft Picks?
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
