For Sam Darnold, the year 2026 will not only be marked by athletic glory, but also by a personal commitment that is about to be sealed. After reaching the pinnacle of the NFL by winning Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks, the quarterback is preparing to trade the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a wedding ring, meaning a double victory for him.
Darnold recently confirmed that his wedding to his fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle, will take place approximately one month after defeating the New England Patriots.
In a video shared by the NFL and NFL Films, the quarterback could be seen reflecting on this major step just minutes after the final whistle. “It’s exciting, but it’s also a lot of work. We have a lot to do,” Darnold admitted, humorously acknowledging that even amid the podium celebrations, his mind was already drifting toward wedding preparations.
A path of redemption and love
The couple’s story has unfolded alongside Darnold’s professional resurgence, as he moved through different teams before finding the right scheme in Seattle that allowed him to shine, just when many believed he would never make the big leap.
They made their relationship public in April 2023, at a time when the quarterback’s career appeared stalled after being an initial disappointment with the New York Jets in 2018. However, after stints with the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers, Sam rediscovered his true form in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings and ultimately reached sporting immortality this year with Seattle.
Katie Hoofnagle, who graduated in business administration and marketing from the University of South Carolina in 2020, has been his pillar throughout this transition. The couple announced their engagement in the summer of 2025, just before the historic campaign in which Darnold led the Seahawks to a 14-3 regular-season record.
The closing of a perfect season
Darnold’s playoff performance was the final piece of the puzzle. Although he threw 14 interceptions during the regular season, the quarterback did not commit a single turnover in the postseason. In the Super Bowl, he managed the game efficiently, throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown, ensuring Seattle controlled the stage.
Now, with a championship ring to his name, the quarterback is focusing on the ring that will truly define his future off the field. In less than 30 days, Darnold will go from being the hero of Seattle to becoming a married man, thus closing the most successful chapter of his life.
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