Tracy Edmonds is well-known for her work on TV and films like “Soul Food” and “Games People Play,” but her high-profile relationships often steal the spotlight. She has been dating Pro Football Hall of Famer Dion Sanders for what feels like forever, leaving everyone wondering why they haven’t tied the knot yet.
After some deep digging, it seems that while Tracy is smart and beautiful, she might be a bit oblivious to some red flags in her relationships. She even mentioned, “My mom thinks I’m giving more to this relationship than Dion is.”
We love a juicy backstory, and no video would be complete without a quick recap of Tracy’s dating history. So, let’s get into it!
After her marriage to Babyface ended in 2005, with Babyface admitting they were never really in love, Tracy confirmed to People magazine in December 2006 that she was dating Eddie Murphy. At the time, Eddie had just broken up with his pregnant girlfriend Mel B, and you can catch all the messy details about that relationship in our Eddie and Mel B video linked in the description box.
A source told People magazine that Eddie was laying it on thick during their courtship, sending Tracy giant bouquets every day and showering her with expensive jewelry. Tracy’s divorce from Babyface was finalized in June 2007, and a few months later, Eddie proposed with an 8-carat diamond ring during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Babyface mentioned he didn’t know Eddie but thought his ex-wife was making a huge mistake.
Ignoring Babyface’s concerns, Tracy, Eddie, and 25 of their closest family members and friends flew to Bora Bora, where Tracy and Eddie tied the knot and honeymooned on January 1, 2008. Despite Eddie telling People magazine he was the happiest he’d ever been, things were falling apart behind the scenes. Their ceremony wasn’t recognized in the U.S., so they weren’t legally bound. Sources reported Eddie grew distant right after the event, and guests told People magazine they heard the couple arguing and Tracy crying during their honeymoon.
Additional reports claimed Tracy clashed with Eddie’s mother and that the couple argued over Tracy’s refusal to take Eddie’s last name. Tracy was also uneasy about the number of people in Eddie’s Los Angeles home, including his close friend Johnny Gill, referring to Eddie’s house as a “family reunion home” due to all the people living there. Tracy allegedly gave Eddie an ultimatum, wanting everyone to move out before she moved in. Instead of complying, Eddie ended their relationship two weeks after their ceremony.
In the same year, there were rumors that she had started dating 50 Cent. However, she didn’t get into another serious relationship until years later. Meanwhile, Dion had just filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years, Pilar, after a long court battle. He was awarded full custody of their three children, and Pilar complained that the court favored Dion because he was famous, powerful, and wealthy. “I understand that I have very little chance at beating a Hall of Fame two-sport man that everyone seems to love and adore,” she said.
Toward the end of 2011, Dion attended a party celebrating the premiere of Tracy’s movie, “Jumping the Broom.” Although they only chatted briefly, Dion told People magazine he was immediately smitten. Before the night ended, he sent a friend to get Tracy’s business card. Months later, he contacted her with an idea for a TV show. In early 2012, he flew to Los Angeles for breakfast with Tracy. They decided to work together on a reality show about his family, and their relationship turned romantic. Initially, they kept their relationship low-key since Dion was still legally married. In April 2012, they were seen looking cozy in New York at the opening of “Streetcar Named Desire.” According to Dion, when he returned to Texas, Pilar and her friend attacked him in front of their children after hearing he had been spending time with Tracy.
Dion Swiftly Contacts Authorities Amid Personal and Public Drama
Dion didn’t waste any time getting in touch with the authorities. His divorce was finalized in June 2013, and by March 2014, his reality show, Dion’s Family Playbook, premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network. At this point, Dion and Tracy had gone public with their relationship, and Tracy even appeared on the show a few times. In one episode, Tracy’s mom voiced her concerns about their unequal partnership since Tracy lived in Beverly Hills and Dion was based in Dallas. Tracy frequently flew to Texas every other week to see Dion, leading her mom to wonder why Dion didn’t fly to California sometimes. “Dion needs to bring us there sometime, and then you come, and you guys need to alternate because you need to be there more,” Tracy’s mom suggested. But Tracy shrugged it off, insisting she didn’t mind the long flights to be with her man.
However, the drama with Dion’s ex-wife continued to be a major issue. Dion filed a defamation suit against Pilar after she posted multiple social media updates accusing him of physical abuse and even attempting to take her life. In 2014, Dion had Pilar jailed for seven days for violating her visitation agreement. He also testified that he believed it was best for their children not to see their mother, claiming she brainwashed them and taught them unlawful, ungodly, and absurd things to turn them against him. “Most people would run for the hills by this point,” the narrator said, “because who really wants to be in a relationship with someone constantly knee-deep in drama with their ex?” But Tracy continued their bicoastal romance, and Dion later praised her for sticking by him through all the chaos.
Seven years after they first met, Dion decided it was finally time to propose, and in 2019, they became engaged. On the day they announced their engagement, Dion shared a heartfelt message on Instagram for Tracy. He wrote, “You’re a real woman, baby. A grown woman. The first time I saw you, I knew you were it. If I could sing like Babyface, I would start singing right now.” But if he knew she was the one from the start, why did it take him seven years to pop the question? And did he really need to mention her ex-husband in the post? Kind of strange, if you ask us. So, what took him so long? Dion explained on the “Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris” podcast that since their kids were older, he felt it was the right time to bridge the gap in their long-distance romance. As for their wedding plans, he envisioned a simple ceremony with just Tracy, himself, and their pastor. “Somewhere out in the country,” he added, “and we go fishing right afterward. She wouldn’t like that, but I would love it.”
In 2019, Tracy and Dion finished building what Tracy described as her dream house in Canton, about an hour outside of Dallas. “You go, baby! Go, baby!” she told Tinseltown Mom website. “We have 200 lakefront acres out there in a ranch farm-style setting with chickens, hogs, and fishing lakes.” She also shared that during football season, she spent four days a week in Los Angeles and the remaining three days in Texas with Dion, where he coached high school football. During the off-season, Dion “reverses things and spends more time in LA.” Tracy said they planned to keep this schedule for the next few years until they were ready to retire. For their upcoming wedding, Tracy agreed with Dion’s idea of a country ceremony and decided to tie the knot on their new Texas property. However, they hadn’t set a wedding date yet, as they both needed to slow down and find time to plan everything.
In 2019, Tracy moved to Atlanta to be closer to her BET show’s set, Games People Play. Then, in 2020, Dion was named the new head coach of the Jackson State Tigers, so he moved to Mississippi. They adjusted their schedules to spend time together, despite the distance. They claim being apart doesn’t bother them and that they’re at a point in their lives where they don’t need a lot from each other. Dion told People magazine they don’t have to talk 10 to 15 times a day, and they respect each other’s busy lives.
In November 2021, Dion had foot surgery and gave a shoutout to Tracy, calling her his “ride or die.” But when it comes to marriage, they’re still taking their time and not rushing to the altar. If you’ve seen our red flag videos, you might think you know how this will end. Either way, we wish Dion and Tracy all the best. Do you agree with these red flags, or do you think we’re overreacting? Let us know in the comments