Sam Darnold: From California Roots to Super Bowl Glory

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, a California native, will lead his team in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in California. Darnold, who hails from Capistrano Beach, has a strong athletic background, with his father and mother both having played college sports. His older sister also pursued collegiate volleyball. Darnold was drafted into the NFL in 2018 and has played for several teams before joining the Seahawks in 2025. His family's athletic legacy includes his grandfather, Dick Hammer, a former USC basketball star and Olympic volleyball player. Darnold proposed to his fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle, on the beach in Dana Point, California, and the couple announced their engagement on social media. Hoofnagle expressed her love and admiration for Darnold in a heartfelt birthday tribute before their engagement announcement.