New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, turned heads with a polished, coordinated appearance at the Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, one of the most prestigious weekends in horse racing.
Dart embraced classic Derby style, stepping out in a crisp white Dolce & Gabbana suit with black pinstripes, paired with a matching hat as he made his way down the red carpet ahead of the main event. Ayers complemented his look effortlessly, wearing a light blue dress from Nordstrom, elevated with Prada accessories and a striking black-and-white hat sourced from a New York boutique.
The couple made the most of Derby weekend, also attending the Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday. Known for its Pink Out tradition supporting breast cancer awareness, the Oaks saw Ayers embrace the theme in a vibrant pink dress with coordinated accessories, sharing glimpses of the event on social media.
Dart and Ayers first confirmed their relationship publicly in January after months of speculation. Since then, they have made several high-profile appearances together, including their red carpet debut at the NFL Honors in February.
On the field, Dart is gearing up for his second NFL season following an impressive rookie campaign. He was a finalist for the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, finishing fourth in voting, with the honor ultimately going to Tetairoa McMillan.
.@JaxsonDart and Marissa Ayers break down their #KentuckyDerby fits 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UdArhFI1u8
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2026
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The Kentucky Derby itself delivered a thrilling finish, as Golden Tempo stormed to victory as a 23-1 long shot, capping off a weekend that blends sport, fashion, and star-studded appearances.
Jaxson Dart Responds To Francis Mauigoa’s Loyalty As Giants Build New Core
As the Giants reshape their roster, Jaxson Dart is also building early chemistry with rookie offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, the team’s 10th overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Mauigoa drew attention after expressing strong support for his quarterback, saying, “Man, I’m ready to die for you. Man. I know a lot of things have happened. Bro, but I’m ready to die for you. Bro,”
Dart responded positively to the sentiment during an interview with Sports Illustrated, saying, “I’m pumped. He fired me. But that’s exactly what you want. That’s the kind of player that I want to play for. And I think that he’s an amazing addition to our team. You know, just his physicality is toughness, along with all of his intangibles. He brings to the table. It’s going to be awesome for us.”
Mauigoa arrives in the NFL after a strong college career with Miami, where he played three seasons at right tackle. In 2025, he allowed 15 pressures and two sacks across 2,801 snaps. Over his college career, he gave up 57 pressures and eight sacks while committing 21 penalties. He earned consensus All American honors in 2025 and was named second team All ACC in 2024.
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The developing partnership reflects a shared emphasis on physical play and protection up front as the Giants look to improve their offense. Mauigoa has also noted early off-field bonding with Dart, including shared interests like fishing.
The Giants enter the 2026 season under head coach John Harbaugh, with new additions on offense expected to play a key role in the team’s progression.
