Dino Guilmette, the former professional boxer known as “Big Bully,” has experienced dramatic highs and lows that most people couldn’t imagine. This 46-year-old Cranston, Rhode Island native stands 5’10” with an imposing physique. His path led him from the boxing ring to business success, and he earned his MBA in finance from the University of Rhode Island in 2000.
Life threw some hard punches at Guilmette. He faced bankruptcy in 2005 and again in 2014, but bounced back through his entrepreneurial spirit in the bar and restaurant industry. His 27-year-old bar business makes up much of his estimated $1-5 million net worth today. His personal life caught media attention after he started dating Shayanna Jenkins in 2017, following the death of her former fiancé, NFL player Aaron Hernandez. Guilmette’s family grew as he built a life with Jenkins, raising their daughter Giselle alongside Avielle (Jenkins’ daughter with Hernandez) and Mia (from a previous relationship). Legal troubles emerged when Rhode Island State Police began investigating him in 2020 for alleged involvement in drug trafficking operations, leading to multiple felony charges.
This piece uncovers Dino Guilmette’s story, starting from his Rhode Island roots to his present complex situation that continues to draw public attention.
Dino Guilmette’s Early Life and Family Roots
Dino Guilmette’s story begins in the close-knit community of Cranston, Rhode Island. His early years in this vibrant city shaped his future path. The late 1970s saw his birth in Rhode Island’s second-largest city, which gave him opportunities that led him toward athletics and entrepreneurship.
Growing up in Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston became the perfect backdrop for Guilmette’s childhood with its unique mix of suburban neighborhoods and working-class communities. This mid-sized New England city stands out for its strong Italian-American heritage and community spirit, which helped shape his early values. Young residents like Guilmette benefited from Cranston’s location near Providence. The city offered both a tight community feel and easy access to urban opportunities.
His youth centered around developing physical strength and a competitive spirit. Rhode Island’s rich sports culture, especially boxing, created natural pathways for determined young athletes with physical talent.
Family background and siblings
Guilmette’s immediate family details stay private, yet his Rhode Island background connects him to the region’s deep cultural roots. Cranston’s families during that time held strong connections to their ethnic heritage—usually Italian, Irish, or Portuguese. They valued family bonds and tradition deeply.
These community values emphasized hard work, family loyalty, and resilience. These traits later showed up in Guilmette’s business ventures and personal relationships. His choice to stay connected to Rhode Island even after finding success shows his deep appreciation for his roots.
Influence of upbringing on his personality
The nickname “Big Bully” stuck with Guilmette during his boxing career. This powerful persona emerged partly from his early life experiences. His journey from Cranston to the University of Florida for college football showed both his athletic gifts and drive to explore beyond his hometown.
His business sense emerged early when he opened a bar in his twenties. This move reflected the self-reliant spirit common in New England’s working-class communities. The mix of physical toughness and business smarts became Guilmette’s trademark as he faced both triumphs and challenges in his adult years.
From Football Fields to Boxing Rings
Dino Guilmette’s athletic talent shaped his life’s path from college football fields to boxing rings in Rhode Island. His competitive nature emerged during his early years in Cranston and led him to excel in different sports before he ended up focusing on business.
College football at University of Florida
Guilmette’s athletic skills earned him a spot on the University of Florida football team after high school. His college experience connected him with Aaron Hernandez, who would later become an NFL player and get engaged to Shayanna Jenkins—the same woman Guilmette would date years later. Though he played competitive college football, Guilmette didn’t pursue a professional career. His time at Florida gave him the discipline and physical conditioning that helped him succeed later.
Transition to amateur boxing
Guilmette earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus in 2000 and then turned his athletic focus to boxing. Boxing became more than just another sport—it grew into something he loved and brought him recognition across Rhode Island. People called him “Big Bully” because of his aggressive fighting style and powerful presence, a nickname that stuck throughout his amateur boxing days.
Notable matches and local reputation
Guilmette fought in many local boxing events that built his name in Rhode Island’s fighting community. He made one of his most important appearances at the 2017 “Brawl For It All” event against Louis Savastano. This new boxing concept got USA Boxing’s approval and helped turn street rivalries into proper matches with official equipment and referees. Guilmette managed to keep his amateur status instead of going pro and became a respected fighter in Rhode Island. His success in boxing and business made him a prominent figure in his community.
Career Beyond the Ring: Business and Modeling
Dino Guilmette’s success extends beyond the boxing ring. He has created a diverse career as an entrepreneur and even tested the waters in modeling. His sharp business sense and readiness to try new fields show his determination to excel in multiple areas.
Starting a bar business in Rhode Island
At a young age, Guilmette showed his entrepreneurial spirit. He opened his own bar in Rhode Island back in 1997, while still in his twenties. This 28-year-old business has become the life-blood of his professional identity. Throughout this time, he has remained self-employed. The bar continues to be his main source of wealth and the foundation of his business ventures.
Pursuing an MBA in finance
Guilmette strengthened his business expertise at the University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance in 2000. His educational background gave him a strong foundation that helped him handle the complexities of business ownership.
Brief stint in modeling and acting
Between 2002 and 2003, Guilmette took an interesting turn toward modeling. He joined the One Model Place agency and showed interest in fashion/editorial, runway, sport, casual, swimwear, and print modeling. He also tried acting in small films and theater productions. This creative phase didn’t last long but added a unique dimension to his varied professional background.
Financial ups and downs, including bankruptcies
Guilmette’s business path has faced its share of obstacles. He filed for bankruptcy twice – first in 2005 and again in 2014. In spite of that, his entrepreneurial drive remained strong. He kept managing his bar and pursuing business opportunities through these financial challenges. His persistence seems to have paid off – sources now estimate his net worth between $1 million and $5 million, mostly from his long-running Rhode Island bar business.
Love, Family, and Public Scrutiny
Dino Guilmette’s personal relationships and family life drew more public attention than his athletic or business achievements. His trip from being unknown to making tabloid headlines shows how life can take unexpected turns.
Relationship with Shayanna Jenkins
Mutual friends introduced Guilmette to Shayanna Jenkins in 2017, just months after her former fiancé, NFL player Aaron Hernandez died. Guilmette said they “just hit it off from the beginning”. Their relationship grew quickly, and Jenkins announced her pregnancy in May 2018. Bill, Guilmette’s father, gave his blessing and called Shayanna “a lovely young lady” and “a special person”. Jenkins’ pinned Instagram post indicates they still remain together as of January 2025.
Blended family and children
The couple had their daughter Giselle on June 16, 2018. Guilmette took on the role of stepfather to Avielle, Jenkins’ daughter with Aaron Hernandez, while he managed to keep close ties with Mia, his daughter from a previous relationship. “I’m going to have my hands full, but I’m happy about it,” Guilmette told media outlets about their blended family.
Media attention and privacy choices
Media scrutiny intensified after their relationship became public. Notwithstanding that, they lived relatively private lives. Jenkins shares mostly photos of herself, her daughters, and occasional throwback pictures of Hernandez on social media. Guilmette also keeps a low online profile and focuses on “personal and family issues than connecting with the general public”.
Legal controversies and criminal investigations
Legal challenges emerged among other aspects of Guilmette’s family life. Police arrested him in 2022 on drug trafficking charges related to cocaine and cannabis after a two-year investigation. Court documents from Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office allegedly connected him to a “Mob-run drug ring”. He also has a prior felony conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. His multiple bankruptcy filings and these legal troubles added more complexity to his public life.
Conclusion
The Complex Legacy of Dino Guilmette
Dino Guilmette’s life story includes many chapters that show a man of contrasting qualities. His path led from modest roots in Cranston to success in athletics, business ventures, and a complicated personal life.
His athletic career in collegiate football and amateur boxing showed his competitive spirit. People across Rhode Island knew him as “Big Bully.” He started a successful bar business when he was young, though he faced two bankruptcies along the way. His life took an unexpected turn when he met Shayanna Jenkins. This relationship connected him to one of the most notorious tragedies in sports through their blended family.
These accomplishments have been overshadowed by legal troubles. Current criminal investigations and charges about alleged drug trafficking could impact his future severely. His past money problems and ongoing legal challenges paint a complex picture of his legacy.
Dino Guilmette’s story continues to unfold. He faces major obstacles now, but his past shows he can bounce back from hardship. His path from local boxer to business owner to tabloid figure proves life takes unexpected turns.
His legal battles will end someday, and people will remember him as a complex figure. His life mixed athletics, business, family drama, and controversy. This Rhode Island native’s influence reached way beyond the reach and influence of the boxing ring where he first made his name.
FAQs
Q1. What is Dino Guilmette’s background in sports? Dino Guilmette played college football at the University of Florida and later transitioned to amateur boxing in Rhode Island, where he earned the nickname “Big Bully” for his aggressive fighting style.
Q2. How has Dino Guilmette’s business career evolved? Guilmette started a bar business in Rhode Island at age 27, which has been his primary source of income for over 28 years. He also earned an MBA in Finance and briefly explored modeling, but has faced financial challenges including two bankruptcies.
Q3. What is Dino Guilmette’s connection to Shayanna Jenkins? Guilmette began dating Shayanna Jenkins in 2017, shortly after the death of her former fiancé, NFL player Aaron Hernandez. They have a daughter together named Giselle and are raising a blended family.
Q4. What legal issues has Dino Guilmette faced? Guilmette has been under investigation by Rhode Island State Police since 2020 for alleged involvement in drug trafficking operations, resulting in multiple felony charges. He also reportedly has a prior felony conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.
Q5. How has Dino Guilmette’s life in the public eye affected him? While Guilmette gained public attention through his relationship with Shayanna Jenkins, he has generally maintained a private life. His legal troubles and connection to the Aaron Hernandez story have brought him unwanted media scrutiny.
