Angie Harmon’s ex-husband is former National Football League (NFL) cornerback Jason Sehorn. Best known for his successful professional football career primarily with the New York Giants, Sehorn married the Rizzoli & Isles actress in 2001 following a viral live television proposal. The couple spent over thirteen years together and raised three daughters before finalizing their divorce in 2015.
While many pop culture enthusiasts recognize Jason Sehorn from his high-profile marriage and famous television proposal, sports fans remember him as one of the most prominent NFL cornerbacks of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Understanding his background requires looking at both his athletic achievements on the field and his personal trajectory alongside one of Hollywood's recognized television stars.
At a Glance: Key Milestones of Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon
| Milestone / Detail | Jason Sehorn | Angie Harmon |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Career | Professional Football Player (NFL Cornerback), Media Analyst | Actress (Law & Order, Rizzoli & Isles), Director |
| Birth Date | April 15, 1971 | August 10, 1972 |
| Collegiate / Early Background | Shasta College, University of Southern California (USC) | Model (High Fashion), Highland Park High School |
| NFL Teams Played For | New York Giants (1994–2002), St. Louis Rams (2003) | N/A |
| Engagement Date | March 13, 2000 (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) | March 13, 2000 (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) |
| Wedding Date | June 9, 2001 | June 9, 2001 |
| Separation / Divorce | Separated: Nov 2014; Finalized: Dec 2015 | Separated: Nov 2014; Finalized: Dec 2015 |
| Children Shared | 3 Daughters (Finley, Avery, Emery) | 3 Daughters (Finley, Avery, Emery) |
| Subsequent Remarriage | Remarried Meghann Gunderman (2017) | Engaged to Greg Vaughan (2019; later ended) |
Early Life and Collegiate Athletic Career
Jason Heath Sehorn was born on April 15, 1971, in Sacramento, California. Raised in Northern California, he attended Mount Shasta High School, where his athletic versatility was immediately evident. Sehorn was not only an exceptional football player but also excelled in baseball and track, demonstrating natural speed and fluid athleticism.
Interestingly, Sehorn did not take the traditional high school-to-Division I pipeline into major college football. After high school, he played minor league baseball briefly within the Chicago Cubs organization, having signed as an outfielder. When his baseball pursuit concluded, Sehorn redirected his focus entirely back to football.
He enrolled at Shasta College, a community college in Redding, California, where he spent two seasons playing both wide receiver and kickoff returner. His extraordinary dynamic play caught the attention of major college recruiters across the country. Sehorn subsequently transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) to play for the Trojans.
At USC, coaching staff recognized Sehorn's unique combination of size, height (6 feet 2 inches), and explosive straight-line speed. They transitioned him from wide receiver to defensive back. During his time with the Trojans in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Sehorn emerged as a standout safety and cornerback, anchoring a competitive Pac-10 defense and positioning himself as a top prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft.
NFL Career: Highs, Injuries, and Legacy
The New York Giants selected Jason Sehorn in the second round (44th overall selection) of the 1994 NFL Draft. Entering the league, Sehorn possessed physical traits rare for his position. In an NFL era where cornerbacks were predominantly shorter, Sehorn's tall frame and agility allowed him to match up effectively against larger wide receivers.
Rising to Stardom (1994–1997)
During his first two seasons in New York, Sehorn served primarily on special teams and as a situational defensive back while learning the speed of the professional game. His breakthrough occurred during the 1996 season, when he claimed a permanent starting spot at cornerback.
Sehorn’s defining campaign arrived in 1997. He recorded 19 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, and returned one for a touchdown, establishing himself as one of the elite defensive backs in the National Football League. His exceptional coverage skills and aggressive tackling made him a fan favorite in New York and earned him widespread national recognition.
Historically, Sehorn also occupied a unique statistical niche: he was widely recognized as the last white starting cornerback to maintain a long-term position in the NFL for several decades, a fact frequently discussed by sports commentators throughout his playing days.
Career-Altering Injuries and Recovery
At the peak of his physical capabilities, disaster struck during the 1998 preseason. On the opening kickoff of a preseason game against the New York Jets, Sehorn suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). The injury sidelined him for the entire 1998 regular season.
Severe knee injuries during that era required extensive rehabilitation and often stripped athletes of their elite lateral quickness. Sehorn returned to the field in 1999, demonstrating remarkable resolve. While he had lost a fraction of his top-end speed, his deep understanding of offensive schemes allowed him to remain a highly effective defensive starter.
The 2000 Super Bowl Run and Later Seasons
In the 2000 season, Sehorn was a pivotal component of the Giants defense that won the NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore Ravens. One of the signature highlights of his career occurred during the 2000 divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sehorn made a memorable, acrobatic juggling pick-six interception while lying flat on his back, securing a crucial touchdown that propelled the Giants forward.
Sehorn played for the Giants through the 2002 season before being released in early 2003 as part of roster restructuring. He signed with the St. Louis Rams for the 2003 season, transitioning to safety. After battling further hamstring and foot injuries, Sehorn retired from professional football following the 2003 campaign. He finished his decade-long NFL career with:
- 145 regular season games played
- 19 career interceptions
- 4 defensive touchdowns
- 508 aggregate tackles
- 5 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries
Marriage to Angie Harmon: The Live Proposal and Hollywood Romance
While Sehorn was asserting his dominance on the football field, Angie Harmon was becoming one of television's most visible stars. A former international fashion model who won a national modeling contest hosted by Seventeen magazine, Harmon transitioned smoothly into acting. She achieved widespread acclaim for her role as Assistant District Attorney Abbie Carmichael on the hit NBC drama Law & Order from 1998 to 2001.
The Famous Tonight Show Proposal
The relationship between Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon became pop culture history due to one of the most famous engagement moments in television history.
On March 13, 2000, Harmon was a scheduled guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. During her interview, talk show host Jay Leno surprised Harmon by bringing out Sehorn, who was supposed to be in another city. Sehorn walked onto the stage, dropped to one knee in front of a live studio audience and millions of viewers at home, and formally proposed to Harmon.
Harmon, completely shocked, accepted immediately. Legendary singer Elton John, who was also a musical guest on the show that night, came out to congratulate the newly engaged couple. The surprise proposal made headlines worldwide and solidified them as one of the premier sports-and-entertainment power couples of the early 2000s.
Wedding and Family Life
On June 9, 2001, Sehorn and Harmon married in a high-profile ceremony held in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by family, celebrity colleagues, and NFL teammates.
Over the course of their thirteen-year marriage, the couple welcomed three daughters:
- Finley Faith Sehorn (Born October 2003)
- Avery Grace Sehorn (Born June 2005)
- Emery Hope Sehorn (Born December 2008)
To prioritize raising their family, both parents made strategic career decisions. After Sehorn retired from the NFL in 2004, Harmon continued taking selective acting roles, eventually securing the lead role of Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli on TNT's hit drama Rizzoli & Isles, which ran from 2010 to 2016.
To maintain stability for their children, the family established primary residency in Charlotte, North Carolina, away from the immediate glare of Los Angeles and New York press. However, this arrangement created logistical challenges, as Harmon spent long stretches filming Rizzoli & Isles on location in Los Angeles while Sehorn managed domestic responsibilities and media commitments in North Carolina.
The 2014 Separation and Finalized Divorce
In November 2014, representatives for Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn announced that the couple had amicably separated after thirteen years of marriage.
The public statement noted that the decision was mutual and centered around maintaining a supportive, healthy environment for their three daughters. Industry observers and close sources noted that the physical distance necessitated by Harmon’s shooting schedule in California and Sehorn’s obligations in the Southeast contributed heavily to the distance that developed between them over time.
Despite the split, both parties emphasized their ongoing commitment to joint co-parenting. The divorce was officially finalized in December 2015. Throughout the legal proceedings and subsequent public interest, both Sehorn and Harmon maintained a low-profile, respectful posture toward one another in public interviews, consistently declining to air private grievances in media outlets.
Life After the Split: Career Transitions and Personal Growth
Following their 2015 divorce, both Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon focused on the next chapters of their respective professional and personal lives.
Jason Sehorn’s Post-NFL Career and Remarriage
After retiring from active football play, Sehorn transitioned effectively into sports broadcasting and corporate management. He served for several years as an analyst for college football coverage on ESPNU, utilizing his collegiate experience at USC and professional knowledge to break down defensive secondary play for viewers.
Beyond broadcasting, Sehorn transitioned into executive roles within business development and commercial real estate. He joined Sonic Financial Corporation and later took on management responsibilities within private investment firms operating in the Charlotte area.
In his personal life, Sehorn began dating Meghann Gunderman, an activist and founder of The Foundation for Tomorrow, an organization focused on educational opportunities for vulnerable children in Tanzania. The couple married in January 2017 in an intimate ceremony. Sehorn and Gunderman subsequently welcomed a child together, expanding their blended family.
Angie Harmon’s Continued Career and Family Focus
Angie Harmon completed her successful run on Rizzoli & Isles in 2016, earning a People's Choice Award for her performance. She subsequently engaged in directing, voiceover work, and hosting crime series such as Busted by the Feds.
Harmon remained devoted to raising her three daughters in North Carolina. In December 2019, Harmon announced her engagement to actor Greg Vaughan (Days of Our Lives), though the couple later chose to go their separate ways. Harmon frequently shares updates on social media celebrating the academic and personal achievements of her daughters with Sehorn as they transition into young adulthood.
Key Takeaways: Why the Public Remembers Jason Sehorn
- Dual Identity: Jason Sehorn earned distinction both as an elite starting cornerback for the New York Giants and as a recognizable figure in mainstream entertainment news.
- Athletic Resilience: He overcame severe knee reconstruction in 1998 to return to high-level NFL play, contributing significantly to the Giants' 2000 Super Bowl run.
- Pop Culture History: His 2000 live proposal to Angie Harmon on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno remains one of television's most famous romantic moments.
- Focus on Co-Parenting: Following their 2015 divorce, Sehorn and Harmon successfully co-parented their three daughters, maintaining privacy and family stability.
- Post-Sports Success: Sehorn effectively built a second career spanning sports broadcasting (ESPNU) and corporate business management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Angie Harmon’s ex-husband?
Angie Harmon’s ex-husband is Jason Sehorn, a former professional NFL football player who played primary as a cornerback for the New York Giants between 1994 and 2002.
How long were Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn married?
Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn were married for thirteen years. They wed on June 9, 2001, announced their separation in November 2014, and finalized their divorce in December 2015.
How did Jason Sehorn propose to Angie Harmon?
Jason Sehorn proposed to Angie Harmon on live television on March 13, 2000, during her guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sehorn surprised her by coming onto the set, dropping to one knee, and asking her to marry him.
Do Jason Sehorn and Angie Harmon have children together?
Yes, they share three daughters together: Finley Faith (born 2003), Avery Grace (born 2005), and Emery Hope (born 2008).
What position did Jason Sehorn play in the NFL?
Jason Sehorn played cornerback and safety in the NFL. He spent nine seasons with the New York Giants (1994–2002) and one final season with the St. Louis Rams (2003).
Has Jason Sehorn remarried since his divorce from Angie Harmon?
Yes, Jason Sehorn married Meghann Gunderman in January 2017.
