Sam Darnold has been winning all season—both on and off the field.
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is working towards the 2026 Super Bowl with support from teammates like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, but the person he values most is his fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle.
During a press conference on February 2nd, Sam explained that someone special provides him with a lot of support and helps him stay relaxed. He added that this person constantly reminds him of his purpose and motivates him to come to work each day.
I’m so excited to watch our quarterback play against Drake Maye and the Patriots at Levi’s Stadium! He shared something really touching after the game – he said even though the season can be tough and demanding, his wife makes everything so much better and worthwhile. It’s clear how much she means to him, and it’s just a beautiful thing to see.
Katie and Sam have shared a lot of life experiences over the past few years, including Sam’s recent move from the Minnesota Vikings to Seattle. Before starting his first season with the Seahawks in August, Sam proposed to Katie on the beach in July, and she said yes!
Before saying a resounding “YES!” to his proposal, Katie and Sam met in North Carolina. Sam was playing football for the Carolina Panthers from 2021 to 2023, while Katie was working in the finance industry, as noted on her LinkedIn profile. They originally come from different cities in California.
Since publicly confirming their relationship on Instagram in June 2023, the quarterback has often spoken highly of his now-fiancée, a former soccer player at the University of South Carolina, calling her a key part of his support system.
Sam shared with Us Weekly in March that his girlfriend’s support is incredible. He appreciates that she truly understands the demands of his life, as she was also an athlete. She respects his need to relax, particularly when he’s busy with his season.
He spoke highly of her, saying she’s always been his greatest champion and that he loves and appreciates her support.
As for Katie’s thoughts on the football phenom? Well, he’s her “favorite person,” of course.
In a June 2024 Instagram post, she praised her friend, saying she brightens up any space with her genuine personality, funny jokes, and kindness. She also noted that her friend is considerate, lives with purpose, and finds joy in simple things.
Katie concluded, “To know you is to love you!”
Katie’s not the only partner of an NFL player in a relationship! Keep reading to discover the love stories of other quarterbacks.
After twelve seasons as the Detroit Lions’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. This meant Matthew and his wife, Kelly, who had long lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, moved to L.A., and he immediately led his new team to a Super Bowl victory in his first season.
He actually had a hidden strength with him all along: his wife’s unwavering support.
After the Rams won, Kelly revealed on TODAY that she wrote her husband a letter before each game, including the Super Bowl in February 2022. She explained she wanted him to know how much he deserved the victory and why she believed in him. Ultimately, she emphasized that their family’s support for each other was the most important thing.
Married on April 4, 2015, the Staffords have four daughters. They are twins Chandler and Sawyer, born March 31, 2017, along with Hunter Hope (born August 16, 2018) and Tyler Hall (born June 28, 2020).
The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft arrived in Foxborough, Massachusetts, eager to play right away. However, the 23-year-old player has reportedly never been single, as he’s been in a relationship with Ann Michael Hudson, a fellow student from the University of North Carolina, for over ten years.
Ann shared on Instagram on October 30, 2024, celebrating nine years with someone special. She wrote that her feelings continue to grow stronger each day and that she can’t imagine life without them as her best friend, expressing her deep love.
Shortly after finishing his first season playing professional football, Drake proposed to his partner. He announced their engagement on January 15, 2025, sharing, “Love doing life with you. Can’t wait to marry you!”
The endgame sweethearts tied the knot in June 2025.
Katie Hoofnagle, a University of South Carolina graduate, mentions living in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Washington in her Instagram bio. This highlights her life as the partner of a professional football player who frequently moves between teams.
In July 2025, before starting his career with the Seahawks, Sam proposed to his partner in his hometown of Dana Point, California.
Katie shared a sweet birthday message to her now-fiancé on Instagram, a month before they got engaged. She wrote about how being with him brings peace, joy, and laughter to her life, even amidst the everyday hustle. She celebrated his 28th birthday and expressed her love, looking forward to many more years of shared meals, music, and good times with her ‘better half’.
If Hailee Steinfeld is attracted to strong, determined men, she could have made a much worse choice than marrying the Bills player who’s been selected for the Pro Bowl four times.
After dating quietly for over a year, Josh proposed to Hailee by getting down on one knee in a scenic waterfront setting, and she shared the moment with a photo on Instagram.
They tied the knot in California on May 31, 2025.
Josh shared with reporters in June that his partner simplifies his life, allowing him to not worry about other things. He described choosing her as ‘the most important decision’ he’ll ever make, and he’s confident it was the right choice.
The couple announced Hailee’s pregnancy with their first baby together in December 2025.
Before Bo moved to Oregon to continue his football career, he’d already become close friends with Izzy Smoke, a cheerleader at Auburn. They’d met during his three seasons playing for the Tigers and formed a lasting bond.
He got engaged in August 2021, before starting his two-year stint with the Ducks. Izzy finished college in 2022, and they were married the following July.
The couple, who now live in Denver, announced in October 2025 that they are expecting their first child.
Jarrett spent the 2025-26 season as the backup to Bo Nix. However, he unexpectedly became the starting quarterback for the AFC Championship Game when the Broncos’ original starter broke his ankle during the divisional round victory.
Jarrett’s wife, Kennedy Stidham (born Brown), has been his constant support, both throughout the season and since they were students together at Baylor.
They got married in 2019 and have three children, with their newest addition arriving in October 2025.
Oh my gosh, you guys, Jarrett just posted the cutest picture! He called Kennedy his ‘rock through the season,’ and she was wearing an 8 jersey – number 8, for her favorite player! I swear, they’re just the sweetest, and I’m totally living for this moment. It’s so clear how much they adore each other!
Looking back, I honestly wasn’t ready for how quickly things changed when I fell for Patrick back in high school. We were just kids at Whitehouse High in Texas, and we were completely in love – I truly loved him with everything I had. But I never imagined the attention and excitement would explode so fast, or that we’d be thrust into the spotlight like that so soon. It was a whirlwind, even back then!
Patrick proposed on September 1, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV ring ceremony. They got married on March 12, 2022.
The athlete shared with CBS that becoming a father to his children, Sterling Skye (born February 20, 2021) and Patrick “Bronze” Lavone Mahomes III (born November 28, 2022), has helped him appreciate and truly enjoy playing football.
He said he wanted his children to understand why he often had to be away. He didn’t want them to think he was simply absent, but rather that he was working hard to achieve something meaningful and build a better future. He hoped they would appreciate his dedication when they were older.
Brittany welcomed her daughter, Golden Raye, on January 12, 2025. The name continues a trend of choosing names inspired by precious metals, coinciding with the Kansas City Chiefs making their tenth consecutive playoff appearance.
Following relationships with Olivia Munn, Danica Patrick, and Shailene Woodley, Aaron Rodgers married someone a few months before joining the Steelers on a one-year contract. He briefly mentioned dating a Brittani in December 2024, but he hasn’t revealed his wife’s identity publicly, even after being seen wearing a wedding ring at a team practice in June 2025.
You know, I’ve always said a strong partnership is key to success, and that really rings true when I hear stories like this. He recently shared with Sports Illustrated how much he cherishes his wife, calling her his ‘rock.’ He explained that having that unwavering support at home – that stability and someone to lean on – gives him the confidence to tackle anything. It’s a beautiful reminder that behind every high-achiever, there’s often an incredible partner making it all possible.
The former Super Bowl champion, who played with the Packers, shared that finding the right person can instantly transform your life. He said having someone who loves and supports you without condition is the best feeling imaginable.
Herbert and Madison Beer were first seen together in August 2025, and quickly became a couple, attending both a Lakers game and a World Series game in October.
They capped off the month with sailor-themed couple’s costumes for Halloween.
Although reports of them together decreased later in the season, Herbert continued to like the singer’s posts on Instagram as recently as January 2026. It will be interesting to see if anything develops during the break from public appearances.
Actor Ben Barnes, known for his role as Billy Russo in ‘The Punisher’ and as Prince Caspian in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ quietly wed model Christen Harper on June 22, 2024, at the Ojai Valley Inn in California.
Christen, a 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie of the Year and star of the web series Women of the League, told Fox News Digital in 2023 that she and her now-husband first connected on the Raya dating app in 2018. She initially believed he had messaged her first, but after checking, she discovered she was the one who sent the initial message. She encourages other women to take the initiative and send the first message, saying, ‘You never know—you gotta shoot your shot!’
The co-founder of the Planted app is a constant supporter of Christen, always cheering her on. Christen described him as her biggest and best supporter, helping her achieve her goals.
She said she loves supporting him during football season, but he’s always been her biggest champion and most loyal supporter.
They’ve since added to their cheering section, welcoming daughter Romy Isabelle Goff in July 2025.
Jalen generally keeps his personal life private, but he told Essence magazine in 2023 that he was in a relationship with Bryonna “Bry” Burrows, who works as an IT specialist.
Jalen and his partner began dating while students at the University of Alabama. Even before he completed his college football career at Oklahoma and was drafted in 2020, he felt certain about their future. He explained, ‘That feeling is something I’ve never experienced before, and it’s what helped us build the strong relationship we have today.’
In September 2024, Essence magazine first reported that Jalen and Bry were engaged. By the time Men’s Health featured the 2025 Super Bowl winner on its April 22nd cover, they were already married.
The 262nd pick in the 2022 NFL draft was never Mr. Irrelevant to Jenna Brandt.
Although the 49ers are focused on winning a championship, Brock Purdy proposed to his now-wife in July 2023, and they were married in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 9, 2024.
On July 28, 2025, the couple happily announced the birth of their daughter, Millie Joleen Purdy, sharing that their lives had become “a whole lot sweeter.”
Baker Mayfield’s football career had its ups and downs for a couple of years, but in 2023, the Buccaneers took a chance on him, and it paid off with a playoff appearance. Through it all, his wife, Emily Wilkinson Mayfield, has been a constant source of support.
I’ve been following Baker Mayfield since his incredible days at Oklahoma, and it’s been amazing to see his journey. He met his wife, Emily, back in 2017 – they got engaged pretty quickly, and she’s been his rock ever since. She was right there with him when he was drafted number one by the Browns in 2018, and through everything that’s happened since, she’s always been a constant source of support.
And the fairer half of the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation is certainly in it for the long haul.
On July 10, 2024, Emily shared a heartfelt message on Instagram celebrating her fourth wedding anniversary with her husband. She expressed how much they’ve both grown over the past four years and how proud she is of their marriage.
2024 and 2025 were busy years for the couple! They welcomed their daughter, Kova Jade Mayfield, on April 9, 2024, and announced in November 2025 that they are expecting another baby in April 2026.
Professional volleyball player Ronika Stone, whose father is former Super Bowl champion Ron Stone, is a proud supporter of the Packers. During a 2021 away game against the Kansas City Chiefs, she and her future mother-in-law, Anna Love, didn’t receive special treatment at Arrowhead Stadium, but Ronika handled the situation with poise and a good sense of humor.
Ronika shared on Instagram that she always dreamed of appearing on Sportscenter, but imagined it would be for her volleyball skills, not a viral photo of her and Jordan’s mom at a game.
Recognizing his perfect partner, Love proposed to her during a trip to Italy in June 2024.
“First step to forever,” they posted on Instagram June 23. They tied the knot a year later.
Adding to their good news, the couple announced on January 1, 2026, that Ronika is expecting their first child.
The Cleveland Browns’ hopes for the 2023-24 playoffs surprisingly rested on veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, a Super Bowl champion who previously played for the Ravens. He was enjoying family life, taking care of his five children with his wife, Dana Grady Flacco, when the Browns called him up.
Dana shared with Cleveland.com before the 2024 playoffs that Joe is a very active person. “He’s always asking what he can do to help—even offering to get me coffee!” Dana said, jokingly adding that she was getting about seven coffees a day thanks to him.
Oh my gosh, they’ve been together forever – since high school, even! It feels like I’ve watched their whole life unfold. They finally got married on June 25th, 2011, which was just the sweetest thing. And then the babies started coming! First, Stephen in June 2012, then Daniel in September 2013, followed by Francis in January 2015. Seriously, they’re so fertile! Then came Evelyn in September 2016, and little Thomas in April 2018. Five beautiful kids! I’ve followed them all since day one, and I can’t get enough!
Joe explained in a Ravens video that having children has completely changed how he spends his time when he’s not playing. He and his wife often reflect on their life before their kids, feeling fully focused on their children now.
Joe wasn’t finished playing football yet. In 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Colts to be the backup quarterback to Anthony Richardson. He then agreed to play another season with the Browns in 2025 for $4 million before being traded to the Bengals after just five weeks with the team.
Ciara, who married Russell Wilson in 2016, told Sports Illustrated in 2022 that she and her husband share a common approach to raising their children, which she believes is crucial. She explained that because their kids will have opportunities they didn’t have growing up, it’s important to teach them humility and responsibility – things like cleaning up after themselves and understanding that success requires effort.
After playing for the Seattle Seahawks for ten seasons, Russ joined the Denver Broncos in 2022. His family also grew – he and Ciara welcomed a daughter, Amora Princess Wilson, in December 2023. She joined big siblings Future Zahir (born in May 2019), Sienna (born in April 2017), and Win (born in July 2020).
Following two disappointing seasons with the Broncos, Russell Wilson revitalized his career with the Steelers, playing at a Comeback Player of the Year level. However, the Steelers then signed Justin Fields, formerly of the Chicago Bears, in 2024, leading Wilson to sign a one-year contract with the New York Giants in 2025.
Rumors began circulating in September 2023 that the team’s quarterback was dating Sarah Jane Ramos. This followed Ramos posting pictures of herself at a Cowboys game alongside his sister-in-law, Holly Prescott.
In November 2023, Sarah and Dak announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child.
Margaret Jane Rose Prescott was born on February 22, 2024, and Dak scored the winning touchdown in October.
He announced their engagement on October 18th with a photo and the caption, “Mine forever!!!!” He went on to express his love, calling her his best friend, partner, teammate, mother, and now, his fiancé, and thanking God for their relationship and family.
The couple welcomed their second daughter, Aurora Rayne, on May 22, 2025.
Sure, offensive lines are great, but it’s Julie Hampton Cousins who really has Kirk’s back.
The elementary school teacher, who married Kirk in 2014, enjoys supporting her husband and considers it a fulfilling role, she shared with People magazine. She loves having friends and family over for games, cooking, and preparing food. She also takes care of many details in Kirk’s life outside of his career, such as scheduling appointments, ensuring everyone gets enough rest, and making time for their children. She described it as a special job that she truly loves.
At 37, Kirk is nearing the end of his athletic career, but he was thrilled to play while his sons, Cooper (born September 29, 2017) and Turner (born March 10, 2019), were old enough to truly experience and enjoy it.
Marissa Lawrence has been a constant supporter of her husband since they were high school sweethearts in Georgia. They’ve documented their journey together through photos, capturing special moments like prom, their wedding on April 10, 2021, Trevor’s draft to the Jaguars shortly after, and numerous vacations since.
To celebrate their anniversary in 2023, Trevor shared a sweet message: “Every year with you is better than the last, @marissa_lawrence! We’ve already made so many incredible memories in the past two years, and I can’t wait for everything the future holds. I love you more than words can say.”
He truly meant it when he said things would get sweeter! In June 2024, the couple announced they were expecting a baby, and on January 4, 2025, they welcomed their daughter, Shae Lynn Lawrence.
Kenny Pickett, the first quarterback drafted in 2022, arrived at Steelers training camp in 2023 as a married man. He and Amy Paternoster, a former soccer player at Princeton University, were married on June 24th.
The couple, who started dating in 2021, honeymooned in Puerto Rico.
On February 13th, 2023, Amy turned 22, and Kenny shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. He expressed how thankful he was for her and said he’d be honored to spend the rest of his life with her.
The couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a trip to Napa Valley, California, before Kenny joined the Philadelphia Eagles as Jalen Hurts’ backup quarterback.
Kenny celebrated a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles in 2025, but was then traded to the Browns. He ultimately joined the Raiders just before the start of the 2025-26 season.
Following the Dolphins’ decision to extend his contract through 2024 in March 2023, Tua Tagovailoa revealed to the media that he had thought about retiring after a 2022 season where he suffered several injuries.
And not least because he had so many wonderful things to stay home for.
Tua Tagovailoa rarely shares details about his personal life, but he made an exception to celebrate a special occasion. On July 17, 2023, he posted a photo of his wife, Annah Tagovailoa, to mark their one-year wedding anniversary, writing, ‘Happy 1 Year Anniversary to my beautiful wife. I love you.’
In November 2022, Tua Tagovailoa shared a personal side of his life with reporters, expressing gratitude for his wife and newborn son, Ace (born in August 2022). Ace was first publicly seen at a benefit event for the Tua Foundation the following April.
Tua shared that having a child has completely changed his perspective on life, describing it as unlike anything he’s ever known. He emphasized that there’s no single way to prepare for parenthood, as everyone’s journey is unique, regardless of whether they have a son or daughter first.
He expressed his gratitude for having a son, saying he wasn’t sure he’d know how to raise a daughter. He admitted it would likely be more challenging, as he wouldn’t have the same guidance or experience.
Tua and Anna have since welcomed daughter Maisey.
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2026-02-08 15:20