We've all heard the saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman,” and that saying strongly applies to the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of athletes.
Too often, however, the stories of the sacrifices WAGs make are overlooked. Some of these sacrifices include expensive and time-consuming travel schedules, lost family time, and sometimes career pauses.
When we hear WAGs, we often think of front-row tickets, stunning outfits and a glamorous lifestyle.
But Corrine Wall, the wife of BYU football safety Tanner Wall, makes it clear that there is far more sacrifice in the lives of these wives than meets the eye.
Corrine’s words set the tone for what life actually looks like behind the scenes. She shared that Tanner’s days often begin at 6 in the morning and do not end until around 8 p.m., as he juggles both football and a demanding internship at a venture capital firm.
That means the little time they do have together must be protected.
“We have maybe two hours to just enjoy our time together,” she explained. “So a lot of my role is helping him feel grounded and reminding him that when he comes home, he can just be Tanner again.”
Corrine emphasized that her support goes beyond emotional comfort. During tough losses, injuries, or bad practices, she sees her responsibility as steadying him.
“I recognize the importance of being his rock,” she said. “If something did not go his way, I want to be the one saying tomorrow is a new day and God has a plan in all of this.”
With many athletes, their identity as an athlete tends to be at the forefront of their life, which can be hard to navigate at times. When asked about how she helps Tanner handle the pressure, criticism, and expectations that come with being in the spotlight, Corrine explained, “I try to remind him that football is not everything. He is a husband, a son, a friend, and most importantly, a son of God. Keeping those relationships strong and grounding him in who he is outside of the game is one of my most important roles.”
This perspective allows Tanner to separate his performance on the field from his sense of self, ensuring that even in high-pressure moments, he has a solid foundation to come home to.
While the public can see the implications of being a popular athlete, the extent to which it impacts one’s life is often hidden. Corrine described moments at church or in public where attention can turn into a football-centered interaction, with people focused more on Tanner as a player than as a person.
“My biggest role is to help him feel loved and comfortable and remind him that he is a human being outside of this athlete persona," she said.
After learning about how busy their lives are, the question arises of how a healthy relationship is maintained despite such a hectic schedule. Corrine explained that while they are still very busy, they prioritize their relationship.
The night before every game or travel weekend, they make sure to have a date night, no matter how busy life gets. Before home games, she goes to the hotel two hours early just to share a quick moment of encouragement before he walks into the stadium.
“We have little hobbies that we do together, like watching Dancing with the Stars or doing our Christmas advent calendars. It is small but it keeps us close," she said.
Beyond the romantic highlights, Corrine opened up about the sacrifices that come with this life. Tanner was a walk-on up until this year, meaning she supported their family financially.
“For the last year, I was the breadwinner,” she said.
She also talked about missing holidays, skipping family trips, and spending long days alone as he trained year-round.
“It is not a typical marriage. He is gone from 6-8 most days, and when he finally gets home he still has film to watch," Corrine said. "That is a sacrifice in itself.”
Given all the sacrifices Corrine makes for Tanner’s career, it’s natural to wonder how she maintains her own sense of identity. She shared that she completed her degree, works full time, competes in sports like soccer, and even trained for a half Ironman.
“I have the best husband,” she said. “He wants me to have my own identity and my own goals. I do not feel like I have missed a beat.”
Corrine pointed out that while the wives of college athletes have to sacrifice a lot, it doesn’t compare to the sacrifices that coaches’ wives have to make.
“I have such a special place in my heart for those women because, for me, this is lasting our college career, which is maybe five to six years and then possibly the NFL," she said. "But for them, this is their life. Their husbands spend even more time at the facilities than our husbands do.”
Corrine’s perspective shifts the glamorous stereotype of WAG culture. Behind the cute outfits and game day excitement is real sacrifice, emotional labor and constant devotion.
As she put it, her purpose in Tanner’s career is simple but powerful: to love him in a way that keeps him human.