Sam Darnold is having a moment. Actually, he’s having a whole career resurgence. After leading the Seattle Seahawks to the No. 1 seed in the NFC this January, everyone is asking the same thing: who is the woman on the sidelines?
Is he married? Honestly, not quite. But he’s about as close as you can get.
The short answer is that Sam Darnold is currently engaged, not married. He popped the question to his longtime girlfriend, Katie Hoofnagle, on July 5, 2025. It wasn't some quiet, private affair either; it was a full-blown beachside celebration in Dana Point, California.
The Engagement Everyone Missed
If you haven't been keeping tabs on NFL "WAG" (Wives and Girlfriends) culture, you might have missed the Instagram hard-launch.
Darnold and Hoofnagle have been a thing since at least early 2023. Back then, Sam was still a backup for the San Francisco 49ers. It’s funny how life works out. He was sitting on the bench in Santa Clara, met a girl, and a couple of years later, he's the $100 million man in Seattle with a ring in his pocket.
The proposal was basically a movie scene. Picture this: Dana Point at sunset. Beach photos. A massive diamond. Hoofnagle posted the photos with a simple "YES!!!!!" and the couple celebrated with a dinner surrounded by family who flew in from all over the country.
Who Is Katie Hoofnagle?
She isn't just "the quarterback's fiancée." Katie is a legitimate athlete in her own right. She played soccer at the University of South Carolina—the "other" USC, as fans like to joke, since Sam is a legendary USC Trojan from the West Coast.
She was a star defender for the Gamecocks, starting 67 games. That athletic background is probably why they work so well. Darnold told US Weekly that her understanding of the "grind" is what makes the relationship stay solid. When he wants to just sit on the couch and do a puzzle after a brutal game, she’s down.
Professionaly, she’s a tech executive. Specifically, an account executive at a software firm. Even though they moved to Seattle for Sam's three-year contract, she’s been holding it down with her own career.
Clearing Up the Rumors
Look, the internet is a weird place. If you search for Sam Darnold's wife, you might find some AI-generated blogs or outdated tabloids claiming he’s married to someone named "Maddie" or was secretly dating Olivia Culpo.
Let's set the record straight:
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- Olivia Culpo? No. That’s Christian McCaffrey’s wife. People get their 49ers and star QBs mixed up.
- Claire Grafton? They dated way back in their college days at USC. That’s old news.
- Maddie? There was a weird rumor about a wife named Maddie, but it seems to have stemmed from a misunderstanding of his close friendship with pro surfer Kolohe Andino and his wife, Madison.
The reality is much simpler. It's Katie. It has been Katie through the Minnesota Vikings era, and it is definitely Katie now in Seattle.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Right now, Sam is focused on the NFL playoffs. The Seahawks are the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2026, and that kind of pressure doesn't leave much room for wedding planning.
However, with a $100 million contract and a permanent home in the Pacific Northwest, the "wedding of the year" is likely on the horizon for the 2026 offseason. Hoofnagle is already a staple in the Seahawks' family sections, often seen sporting custom "14" gear and hanging out with the other team wives.
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If you're looking for a wedding date, don't expect one until the Lombardi Trophy is handed out. Sam has a job to do first.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Follow the Source: If you want the real-time updates on their wedding date, keep an eye on Katie Hoofnagle's Instagram (@_hoofy). She’s much more active than Sam, who keeps his social media strictly business.
- Ignore the Bot Traffic: Many "celeb news" sites are currently hallucinating details about Sam's personal life. Stick to reputable sports outlets or direct social confirmation.
- Seattle Life: The couple is officially rooted in Washington. If you're a Seahawks fan, expect to see Katie as a permanent fixture at Lumen Field for the next few seasons.