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Sam Darnold’s fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle, took to social media to post a heartfelt message about the quarterback following the Seattle Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl LX.
The couple made their romance official in 2023 and got engaged before the 2025 season. Hoofnagle praised Darnold for his humility during his journey.
“And through it all, you remained kind. In times when it would have been so easy to make excuses or blame someone else, you never wavered. Your patience, respect, discipline and humility continually shone through, even during the most difficult days of the trip,” Hoofnagle posted on Instagram.
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Sam Darnold (14) of the Seattle Seahawks shares a moment with his fiancée Katie Hoofnagle after an NFC NFL Championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on January 25, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“It’s an honor and privilege to share you with the world on Sunday, and I’m so grateful that you finally laid your flowers on the biggest stage. As long as I’m alive, you will always have someone who is proud of you in everything you do.”
“Deserved, not deserved. LFG 14. LFG SEAHAWKS. YOUR SBLX CHAMPIONS, EVERYONE!!!”
Darnold’s path to stardom was not linear. After an unsuccessful first three years with the New York Jets, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
SAM DARNOLD ON WHAT THE LESSON OF HIS NFL JOURNEY WOULD BE AFTER SUPER BOWL VICTORY: “ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF”
(L-R) Katie Hoofnagle and Sam Darnold attend the 14th Annual NFL Honors at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 6, 2025. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
He spent one season in Carolina and didn’t play well. After that season, the 28-year-old signed with the San Francisco 49ers as Brock Purdy’s backup.
Darnold then signed with the Minnesota Vikings after one season with the 49ers and thrived after being named the starter. He helped the Vikings go 14-3 and finished 10th in MVP standings after completing 66.2% of passes for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
However, Darnold had two of his worst performances in the team’s playoff loss and in Week 18 when the Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions with a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC NFL Championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams. (Getty Images)
The Vikings allowed Darnold to test free agency, and he signed with the Seahawks and is now a Super Bowl champion. He helped the Seahawks go 14-3 in the regular season, completing 67.7% of passes for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In three playoff games, Darnold did not turn the ball over once and particularly shined in the Seahawks’ NFC Championship Game victory over the
In that game, Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
He also played well in the Super Bowl, but the numbers are more modest. Darnold completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.
