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Sam Darnold’s fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle, took to social media to post a heartfelt message about the quarterback following the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX win.
The couple went official with their romance in 2023 and became engaged before the 2025 season. Hoofnagle praised Darnold for his humility in his journey.
“And despite everything, you remained kind. In moments when it would have been so easy to make excuses or blame someone else, you never wavered. Your patience, respect, discipline and humility always shined through, even on the toughest days of the journey,” Hoofnagle wrote on Instagram.
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Sam Darnold (14) of the Seattle Seahawks shares a moment with his fiancee Katie Hoofnagle after an NFC Championship NFL 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 a privilege to share you with the world on Sunday and I’m so thankful that you finally got your flowers on the biggest stage. As long as I live, you will always have someone who is proud of you in everything you do.”
“Earned, not earned. LFG 14. LFG SEAHAWKS. YOUR SBLX CHAMPIONS, EVERYONE!!!”
Darnold’s journey to stardom has not been linear. After the first three unsuccessful years with the New York Jets, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
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(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 did not 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 to a 14–3 record and finished 10th in MVP voting after completing 66.2% of his 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 for the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 over 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 lead the Seahawks to a 14–3 record in the regular season, completing 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In three playoff games, Darnold didn’t turn the ball over once and especially shined in the Seahawks’ NFC Championship Game win over
In that game, Darnold completed 25 of his 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
He also played well in the Super Bowl, but the numbers are more pedestrian. Darnold completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.
