Khalil Shakir Wife: Meet Sayler Shakir, the Fitness Coach and Mother of His Daughter Sunny
· calvin
Khalil Shakir’s wife is Sayler Shakir, his college sweetheart from Boise State University. The couple married on March 13, 2023, at Ruby Hill Winery in Northern California and welcomed their first child, daughter Sunny Haven Shakir, in November 2025.
Sayler has been a constant presence throughout Shakir’s rise with the Buffalo Bills, from his rookie season to his $60 million contract extension. She has also built her own career as a fitness coach while co-founding the Shakir Family Foundation with her husband.
From Boise State Student-Athletes to Marriage
Khalil and Sayler met at Boise State University, where both were student-athletes. Sayler played on the women’s soccer team, while Khalil was a standout wide receiver for the football program.
Their shared experience as college athletes formed the foundation of their relationship. They understood the demands of early morning training, late nights, and the pressure to perform at a high level.
The couple made their relationship public in early 2021. Khalil proposed on March 29, 2022, at Lucky Peak in Boise, on the same day as his pro day workout for NFL scouts. He later told reporters he “blacked out” during the proposal but remembered that she said yes.
“Her support means everything to me,” Shakir said at the time. “She’s the reason I’m so mentally strong nowadays. Having a partner like her is a blessing.”
Who Is Sayler Shakir?
Sayler Shakir, née Bagnall, is a fitness coach at Orangetheory Fitness. She graduated from Boise State University in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Before her current role, Sayler worked as a teaching assistant at Bloom Early Learning Center and served as a coach for Girls on the Run International, an organization focused on empowering young girls through running.
She has maintained her professional career even after her husband signed his lucrative contract extension. In addition to her coaching work, she is the co-founder of the Shakir Family Foundation, which is dedicated to animal rescue and supporting military veterans.
The foundation’s motto is: “Dedicated to saving four-legged friends and supporting our heroes one paw at a time.”
A Public Defense of Her Family
In March 2026, Sayler spoke out after false reports circulated online claiming that Khalil was considering retirement to support her through a health crisis. A viral Facebook post attributed fabricated quotes to Shakir, stating he would pause his career for his wife.
Sayler addressed the rumors directly. “Everything I have seen on Facebook claiming to be ‘breaking news’ is never true,” she said. “Please don’t believe any quote/information you see on any social media—unless it’s directly from the person. Thanks for the concerned messages.”
She urged fans to rely only on verified statements from the Shakir family, not viral posts.
A Growing Family in Buffalo
Khalil and Sayler welcomed their daughter, Sunny Haven Shakir, on November 17, 2025, just days before the Bills faced the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football.
Sayler announced the birth on Instagram with the message “You are oh so loved already.” Khalil responded with heart emojis.
In August 2026, Sunny made her first public appearance at a Bills press conference, sitting on the podium while her father spoke about fatherhood. Shakir smiled throughout the event and said he thinks about Sunny “90 percent of the time” he is at work.
The family also includes their adopted dog, Missy, whom they rescued from Nickel City Canine Rescue in Buffalo. The Shakirs hosted their first pet adoption event in October 2024 and plan to make it an annual tradition.
Shakir’s Public Praise for His Wife
When Khalil signed his four-year, $60.2 million extension with the Bills in 2025, he became emotional while thanking Sayler during his press conference.
“Obviously, my wife has been here with me every step of the way throughout this whole process,” he said. “You know, she’s my rock. You are all gonna make me cry. She’s great. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
He added: “Every time I get to go home and I’m struggling, or man, things aren’t going the way I wanted them to, she’s right there. Super appreciative.”
Sayler celebrated the extension with her own message on Instagram: “You are so deserving. Means we are here to stay Buffalo.”
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