Dino Guilmette isn’t your average guy from Rhode Island. Known to many as “Big Bully” in the boxing world, his story is one of ambition, resilience, controversy, and unexpected turns. From college football fields to amateur boxing rings, from owning a long-running bar to being linked with Shayanna Jenkins (the former fiancée of Aaron Hernandez), Dino’s life reads like a mix of a sports drama and a true-crime documentary.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into his journey—his early life, athletic career, business ventures, family, controversies, and what makes him such a talked-about figure today.
Dino Guilmette’s Early Life and Rhode Island Roots
Dino Guilmette was born in the late 1970s and grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island, a city known for its strong Italian-American roots and tight-knit community. Life in Cranston shaped much of Dino’s personality: hardworking, resilient, and fiercely family-oriented.
Growing up surrounded by New England’s love for sports, Dino quickly developed a competitive streak. He spent much of his youth building physical strength and discipline—qualities that would serve him well later in boxing and business.
From College Football to Amateur Boxing
Football Days at the University of Florida
After high school, Dino’s athletic ability earned him a spot on the University of Florida football team. Fun fact—this is where his path first crossed with Aaron Hernandez, though years before the two men would be connected through Shayanna Jenkins.
Football gave Dino discipline and toughness, but it wasn’t where he ultimately built his reputation. After graduating, his love of competition took him in another direction—boxing.
The Rise of “Big Bully”
Dino stepped into the boxing ring in the early 2000s and quickly became a known figure in Rhode Island’s fighting community. His aggressive fighting style and imposing presence earned him the nickname “Big Bully.”
One of his most notable moments came in 2017 at the “Brawl For It All” event, where he faced off against Louis Savastano. These matches were designed to settle street rivalries in a safe, regulated environment—and Dino thrived. While he never went fully pro, his local reputation as a tough fighter made him a familiar face in Rhode Island sports circles.
Education and Business Ventures
Earning His MBA
In 2000, Dino graduated with an MBA in Finance from the University of Rhode Island. This gave him the business knowledge to complement his street smarts and competitive drive.
Bar Owner and Entrepreneur
Even before his MBA, Dino showed entrepreneurial spirit. In 1997, he opened a bar in Rhode Island, which has since become the backbone of his career. More than 25 years later, it still stands as his main source of income and a cornerstone of his estimated $1–5 million net worth.
Modeling and Acting Stints
For a short time in the early 2000s, Dino tried his hand at modeling and acting. He joined a modeling agency and explored opportunities in print, runway, and even small film roles. While this phase didn’t last long, it added another interesting twist to his career path.
Financial Highs and Lows
Success didn’t come without setbacks. Dino filed for bankruptcy twice—once in 2005 and again in 2014. These challenges might have knocked some people out for good, but Dino’s resilience kept him moving forward. His long-running bar business helped him rebuild, and today, despite the setbacks, he maintains financial stability.
Love Life and Public Scrutiny
Relationship with Shayanna Jenkins
In 2017, Dino’s personal life took center stage in the media. He began dating Shayanna Jenkins, the former fiancée of late NFL star Aaron Hernandez. The relationship attracted attention because of Jenkins’ history and the notoriety surrounding Hernandez.
Despite the outside noise, Dino and Shayanna’s relationship blossomed. In June 2018, they welcomed their daughter, Giselle, into the world. Dino also became a stepfather figure to Avielle (Jenkins’ daughter with Hernandez) and continued being a father to his daughter Mia from a previous relationship.
Blended Family Life
By all accounts, Dino embraced the challenges of fatherhood and blended family life. He once admitted, “I’m going to have my hands full, but I’m happy about it.” Family has always been central to his story, even as media attention swirled around them.
Dealing with Media Attention
While Jenkins is fairly active on Instagram, sharing glimpses of her life and children, Dino has remained more private. He tends to stay out of the spotlight, preferring to focus on his businesses and family.
Legal Troubles and Controversies
Unfortunately, Dino’s life has also been shadowed by controversy. In 2020, Rhode Island State Police began investigating him for alleged involvement in drug trafficking operations. By 2022, he faced multiple felony charges connected to a mob-linked ring involving cocaine and cannabis.
This wasn’t his first brush with the law—records show he also had a prior felony conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.
These legal troubles have complicated Dino’s public image, painting him as both a hardworking entrepreneur and a man battling serious allegations.
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Dino Guilmette’s Legacy: A Complex Story
So, who is Dino Guilmette really?
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A tough athlete who went from football to boxing.
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A businessman who built a career through his bar, despite bankruptcies.
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A father and partner navigating life in the public eye with Shayanna Jenkins.
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A man facing legal battles that could shape his future.
Dino’s life is a story of contradictions—discipline and controversy, success and setbacks, privacy and public scrutiny. Like many complex figures, his legacy isn’t easy to define.
FAQs About Dino Guilmette
Q1. What sports did Dino Guilmette play?
He played college football at the University of Florida before transitioning to amateur boxing, where he earned the nickname “Big Bully.”
Q2. How did Dino Guilmette make his money?
His main source of income is his long-running Rhode Island bar business, which he started in 1997. He also earned an MBA in finance and briefly tried modeling.
Q3. What is his connection to Shayanna Jenkins?
Dino began dating Shayanna in 2017 after the death of her fiancé, Aaron Hernandez. They share a daughter, Giselle, and raise a blended family together.
Q4. What legal issues has Dino Guilmette faced?
He has been investigated for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and has prior convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon.
Q5. What is Dino Guilmette’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth between $1 million and $5 million, primarily from his bar business.
Final Thoughts
Dino Guilmette’s life is anything but ordinary. He’s been a boxer, entrepreneur, model, father, and now a figure of public fascination. His story highlights the unpredictable nature of success, the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks, and the complexities of balancing private life with public scrutiny.
Whether you see him as a fighter, a businessman, or a controversial figure, one thing’s certain: Dino Guilmette’s name won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
