Who Is Tyna Robertson? The Story Behind Her Legal Battles and Life in the Spotlight

For many people, fame arrives through hard work or public success. For others, it comes unexpectedly—sometimes through controversy. One such person is Tyna Robertson, a woman whose name has been tied for years to lawsuits, tragedy, and a high-profile custody battle with NFL legend Brian Urlacher. Her life has been filled with intense legal struggles, media scrutiny, and personal challenges that have shaped how the world sees her. Yet behind the headlines is a human story of conflict, resilience, and the search for privacy.

This article takes a closer look at who Tyna Robertson really is—her background, her complicated relationship with Brian Urlacher, and the legal and personal battles that placed her life in the spotlight.

Quick Bio Information

Full Name: Tyna Marie Karageorge (née Robertson)
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: African American
Religion: Christianity
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Marital Status: Widowed (previously married to Ryan Karageorge)
Ex-Partner: Brian Urlacher
Children: Two (including Kennedy Urlacher)
Known For: Legal battles with Brian Urlacher and past lawsuits

Early Life And Background

Tyna Robertson was born in the United States, though many details about her early years remain private. What is known is that she is of African American descent and was raised in a Christian household. Unlike many who enter the public eye through entertainment or achievement, Tyna’s rise to public awareness came through controversy in the early 2000s.

Her name first appeared in major headlines in 2003 when she became involved in a major legal case against Irish dancer Michael Flatley, the famous “Lord of the Dance” star. This case would mark the beginning of a series of legal battles that would follow her for years to come and define much of her public image.

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Rise To Public Attention: The Michael Flatley Lawsuit

In 2003, Tyna Robertson filed a $33 million sexual assault lawsuit against Michael Flatley, claiming that he had assaulted her in a hotel room. The case immediately drew media attention due to Flatley’s international fame. However, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed, and in 2007, the courts sided with Flatley, who had filed a countersuit accusing Robertson of extortion.

Flatley was awarded $11 million in damages, and the decision was widely reported by outlets such as the Irish Independent and Chicago Tribune. Flatley later described the experience as “a terrible shame in today’s world,” emphasizing that people could make accusations without evidence and destroy reputations in the process. The result left Tyna facing both financial and reputational consequences that would follow her for years.

This event marked the first time Tyna Robertson’s name became synonymous with controversy. It was also the beginning of her long and complicated relationship with public scrutiny.

Relationship With Brian Urlacher

Tyna Robertson’s life changed again when she entered into a relationship with Brian Urlacher, the star linebacker for the Chicago Bears and one of the most respected figures in the NFL. Their relationship was short-lived but significant. The couple never married, but they had a son together, Kennedy Urlacher, born on May 20, 2005.

Despite their split, Tyna and Brian remained connected through their son. Their co-parenting, however, would prove to be anything but simple. What began as a private matter eventually became one of the most publicized custody battles involving an NFL player.

Custody Battle Over Kennedy Urlacher

In June 2005, Brian Urlacher filed a paternity lawsuit to legally establish his rights as Kennedy’s father. Two years later, in 2007, a legal battle emerged over visitation and parenting responsibilities. The court ordered both parents to complete a three-hour parenting class to help improve communication and co-parenting strategies.

At the time, Tyna publicly expressed frustration with Urlacher’s parenting style, claiming he was not setting a good example for their son. The two continued to have a strained relationship over custody and parental decision-making, and their disagreements frequently made their way into the media. This ongoing tension would resurface years later under even more tragic circumstances.

Marriage To Ryan Karageorge And A Tragic Loss

After her relationship with Brian Urlacher ended, Tyna Robertson married Ryan Karageorge, a man who would later become a central figure in one of the most devastating events of her life. Ryan became a stepfather to Kennedy and appeared to provide some stability for the family.

However, tragedy struck on December 29, 2016, when Ryan Karageorge died after reportedly shooting himself during an argument with Tyna at their home. According to court and media reports from TMZ Sports, the firearm used belonged to Tyna, and Ryan had retrieved it from her purse moments before the incident.

The event was both heartbreaking and shocking. Within weeks, Brian Urlacher filed an emergency motion for custody of Kennedy, expressing concern for his son’s safety. In January 2017, a Cook County judge granted Urlacher temporary custody. This incident reignited tensions between Tyna and Urlacher and set the stage for the next major legal battle between them.

The $125 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Brian Urlacher

In January 2018, Tyna Robertson filed a $125 million defamation lawsuit against Brian Urlacher, his attorneys, and a Chicago Tribune reporter. The lawsuit claimed that Urlacher and his team had conspired to damage her reputation, portraying her as “a bad mother, unfit, and a killer.”

Robertson alleged that Urlacher and his associates misrepresented her husband’s death as something sinister rather than a suicide. She sought $100 million in punitive damages and $25 million in compensatory damages, stating that the accusations amounted to a “modern-day lynching and witch hunt.” She argued that the defendants’ actions had destroyed her reputation and made it impossible for her to live a normal life.

While the outcome of this case remains unresolved publicly, it added another layer of complexity to Tyna’s already turbulent history and kept her name in headlines for years after.

Who Is Brian Urlacher Married To Now

While Tyna Robertson retreated from public attention, Brian Urlacher’s life took a different direction. The former linebacker was first married to Laurie Urlacher, with whom he shares two daughters, Pamela and Riley. Their marriage ended in 2004, just before his relationship with Robertson began.

In March 2016, Urlacher married Jennipher Frost, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model. The couple has maintained a relatively private life compared to Urlacher’s past relationships, though they occasionally appear together at public events. Today, Urlacher’s family life appears stable, while Tyna continues to live largely out of the public eye.

Where Is Tyna Robertson Now

After years of legal disputes and personal tragedies, Tyna Robertson has chosen a life of privacy. She has remained mostly silent since her defamation case against Urlacher and avoids public appearances and social media. Sources suggest that she is focused on raising her children and rebuilding her life away from the glare of public attention.

Her son Kennedy Urlacher, now an accomplished athlete himself, has followed in his father’s footsteps. In 2024, he committed to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a proud moment for both parents, even though their relationship remains strained. Despite everything, Tyna’s story continues to be a reminder of how deeply public and private lives can intertwine in the age of media scrutiny.

Legacy And Public Perception

Tyna Robertson’s life story is a complex one—marked by courtrooms, controversy, and tragedy. Public opinion about her has always been divided. To some, she’s a woman unfairly judged and haunted by her past; to others, she’s a controversial figure whose decisions brought unwanted attention. Regardless of where one stands, there’s no denying that her life has been shaped by extraordinary circumstances.

Her experience also highlights the challenges of being in the public eye, especially for women whose private lives become the subject of media speculation. Over the years, Tyna Robertson has become a symbol of how personal struggles can easily be magnified when lived under the spotlight.

Final Thoughts

Tyna Robertson’s story is not one of glamour or fame, but of resilience and survival through years of public challenges. From her early legal disputes to her emotional battles over family and reputation, her life has unfolded in ways few could imagine. Despite the turmoil, she continues to move forward, prioritizing her children and privacy above all else.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that public perception rarely captures the full truth of a person’s life—and that behind every headline, there’s a deeper, more human story waiting to be understood.

FAQs About Tyna Robertson

Who Is Tyna Robertson?
Tyna Robertson is an American woman best known for her relationship and custody battle with former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, as well as for her involvement in several high-profile lawsuits.

What Happened Between Tyna Robertson And Michael Flatley?
In 2003, she sued the Irish dancer Michael Flatley for $33 million, alleging sexual assault. The case was dismissed, and Flatley later won an $11 million countersuit for extortion.

Who Is Kennedy Urlacher’s Mother?
Kennedy Urlacher’s mother is Tyna Robertson. Kennedy is the son of Brian Urlacher and Tyna, born in May 2005.

What Happened To Ryan Karageorge?
Ryan Karageorge, Tyna’s husband, died in 2016 after allegedly shooting himself during a domestic argument at their home.

What Was The Defamation Lawsuit Against Brian Urlacher About?
Tyna filed a $125 million lawsuit against Urlacher in 2018, claiming he and others conspired to damage her reputation by spreading false and harmful statements about her.

Is Tyna Robertson Married Now?
No. Tyna Robertson has not remarried since the death of her husband, Ryan Karageorge. She is believed to live privately with her children.

Where Is Tyna Robertson Today?
As of 2025, Tyna Robertson lives a quiet life away from public attention, focusing on her family and personal well-being.