On the first day of voluntary practice for the Dallas Cowboys, young linebacker Marist Liufau was absent as he celebrates his girlfriend Sonia Citron in New York City at the WNBA Draft.

Citron was drafted No. 3 overall to the Washington Mystics. She and Liufau met and sparked a relationship while the two both played collegiately at Notre Dame.

Their careers overlapped from 2021-2023. Liufau was drafted in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft – a respectable selection but definitely not the third overall pick, of course. ESPN reporter Holly Rowe took this fact and ran.

She roasted Liufau unexpectedly, reminding the audience Citron was drafted higher than her boyfriend.

Former Notre Dame linebacker and current member of the Dallas Cowboys Marist Liufau was at the WNBA Draft to support his girlfriend, former Fighting Irish guard Sonia Citron, who was selected by the Washington Mystics with the No. 3 overall pick.

Niele Ivey also in attendance. pic.twitter.com/ffgU6y6NHW — Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) April 15, 2025 “Your boyfriend Marist is here,” Rowe said during the on-stage interview. “For the record, you got drafted higher than he did in the NFL, so shoutout to the girls.”

This got a rise out of the crowd, but Liufau had a humble reaction by joining in the applause after a slight sigh of embarrassment.

Liufau added to his support on social media by reposting a graphic of his girlfriend’s accomplishments in college. https://t.co/G8V2DsTDGB — Marist Liufau (@marist_09)

April 11, 2025 Citron excelled with the Fighting Irish this season, posting averages of 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

Last season as a rookie, Liufau had a solid campaign with 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles after playing in all 17 games.