NFL star Justin Jefferson faces paternity lawsuit in New Jersey after allegedly pressuring ex-girlfriend to get an abortion: Mother seeks healthcare and support as $20m Vikings wideout looks to silence her

NFL star Justin Jefferson is facing a paternity lawsuit in New Jersey, where the Minnesota Vikings receiver is being accused of pressuring the child's mother to get an abortion. 

Jefferson and his ex-girlfriend, Andrea Galea, filed counter claims against each other last month in Essex County (New Jersey) Family Court. Those filings have since been obtained by DailyMail.com. 

Galea is a recent University of Miami Law School graduate who previously attended Louisiana State University with Jefferson. The two became romantically involved in 2019 before drifting apart and reconnecting in April of 2023, according to her paternity lawsuit filed on January 19. It was in April that Galea claims Jefferson fathered her daughter, Stella, who was born in late December. 

In addition to a paternity test, Galea has pushed for financial support and healthcare coverage from Jefferson, while accusing the former first-round draft pick of pressuring her to abort the child during her pregnancy. 

In his own January 26 complaint, Jefferson also pushed for a paternity test while demanding an injunction against Galea to prevent her from sharing information about the child . 

Andrea Galea (pictured with daughter Stella) is hoping to secure healthcare for the child 

Justin Jefferson (left) allegedly fathered baby Stella with Andrea Galea (right) in April 

'Defendant [Galea] has a substantial presence and following on various social media platforms and apparently has strategically positioned herself over the last several years to become an ''online influencer,''' Jefferson's complaint states. 

Jefferson's filing accuses Galea of 'using the Child's birth, and her assertions of the Plaintiff's alleged fathering of the child, as apparent promotion on her various online platforms to self­ promote her online presence and following.'

His complaint also contains text messages, ostensibly exchanged between Jefferson and Galea, which were previously published online. 

'In numerous transmittals to Plaintiff, Plaintiff's family, Plaintiff's friends, and other individuals, including but not limited to text messages, social media posts, blogs, and various internet messaging platforms, Defendant in the most unfortunate and temperate terms has and continues to announce to all the world that she is the natural mother of the child, and that the Plaintiff is conclusively the father of the child,' Jefferson's filing reads. 

Jefferson's attorney, Peter Till, declined to respond to DailyMail.com's questions about the case: 'It is the policy of this office to not give comment on pending litigation, leaving any and all matters for the Courtroom.'

Galea's attorney, Gary Newman, initially declined to comment, telling DailyMail.com that he would do so at 'the appropriate time.' 

In her filing, Andrea Galea accuses Justin Jefferson of pressuring her to have an abortion 

Galea's complaint paints a far different picture than Jefferson's — one that accuses him of failing to support the child financially, while steadfastly refusing to acknowledge Stella.

'Although he earns millions of dollars per year, Defendant has not provided a penny of financial support for the Child,' read Galea's complaint. 

The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson will become a free agent in 2025 

'In addition to his physical absence from his newborn's life, Defendant has unmistakably and reprehensibly evidenced a firm unwillingness to voluntarily support the Child in any capacity, be it emotionally, financially, or otherwise. 

'Suffice it to note the Defendant's actions (or, better stated, inactions), left the Plaintiff with no alternative but to file this Verified Complaint to ensure the protection of their Child's best interests.'

Text messages, ostensibly between Jefferson and Galea, are included in his complaint and show the former couple struggling to decide how to handle the pregnancy.

'So are you okay with getting this [situated],' Jefferson wrote Galea in one text message included in his filing.

In another exchange, Jefferson questions if Galea used Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, to end the pregnancy.

'The more u wait the harder the situation will be that's why I wanted to get you the planB [because] I didn't want to be in this situation but it's totally my fault I shouldn't have done it in the first place,' he wrote in one text message.

Galea then responds: 'Justin I took the plan b though it was just too late for it to be effective. Sometimes depending on the cycle unless you take it within like 2 hours it can be too late… and two people are always at fault in this. Personally I've never faced a situation like this…'

In one text exchange included in Jefferson's filing, he asks Galea if she is getting this 'situated'

Also included in Jefferson's filing was a text in which he told Galea she was being 'annoying'

In her filing, Galea accuses Jefferson of pushing for an abortion.

'Regrettably, thereafter Defendant sought to pressure the Plaintiff into having an abortion,' Galea's filing reads. 'The Defendant actively encouraged the Plaintiff to terminate the pregnancy, offering to do '[w]hatever [the Plaintiff] need[ed] [him] to do.'

'Upon his realization that he could not persuade the Plaintiff to abort the pregnancy, Defendant began acting towards her with great insensitivity and extreme cruelty,' the filing continues. 'The Defendant blocked the Plaintiff from communicating with him, and coldly told her to '[T]alk to me when the legal stuff come up.'

Jefferson claims Galea began 'annoying' him about Stella, forcing him to change his number as a result. 

His filing includes texts messages from Galea and her sister in which they attempt to convince Jefferson and his family members to be a part of Stella's life.

'Hi this is Clio - Andrea's sister,' read one message. 'I just wanted to reach out and let you know that Andrea delivered a healthy baby girl today at 2:54pm, she's 6 pounds 13 ounces. She's very sweet and beautiful and doing great…'

In another exchange, Jefferson tells Galea: 'U wanted the kid you can take care of it.

'I tried to tell u this was how it was going to go u didn't believe me,' he later added.

In another exchange in his filing, Jefferson tells Galea: 'U wanted the kid you can take care of it'

The lawsuit comes at a pivotal time in Jefferson's distinguished NFL career.  

His expiring contract will pay him nearly $20 million in 2024. And unless he comes to terms on an extension with the Vikings, he could become one of the most sought-after free agents in recent memory.

The Louisiana native was the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 while leading the league in receptions with 128.

'I want to break the bank, and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me and to really give me what I deserve,' Jefferson told SiriusXM radio earlier this month. 'I feel like eventually the Vikings will do what they need to do to have me in the building, but I don't really know at this very moment. Only time will tell.' 

Jefferson and Galea were previously close, according to her filing, and he even stayed at her mother's New Jersey home for 'two weeks' during their undergraduate days LSU. 

Galea, a former swimmer with the Tigers, graduated from Miami Law with honors in 2023 and is just embarking on a legal career while taking care of her daughter with the help of her own mother.