Seahawks QB Sam Darnold known as prime Tremendous Bowl human curiosity story

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The Super Bowl averaged 127.7 million viewers on FOX final 12 months, starting from die-hard NFL followers, to the casuals hanging out at a celebration having fun with the "Massive Recreation."

Whereas some know the X's and O's greater than others, there are normally many human curiosity tales main as much as kickoff, and " NFL RedZone" host Scott Hanson already is aware of the best considered one of all within the matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

"Sam Darnold is that story," Hanson advised Fox Information Digital concerning the Seahawks' beginning quarterback.

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NFL Community's Scott Hanson speaks on stage throughout the throughout the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26, 2025 in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. (Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs)

The human curiosity is not at all times the beginning quarterback of one of many groups enjoying, however given Darnold's journey to get so far in his profession, Hanson feels anybody with "no horse within the race" has to root for him.

"Sam Darnold, solid apart, dismissed. Each NFL participant has felt that sooner or later of their life," Hanson mentioned, whereas additionally discussing whereas additionally discussing his pleasure for Lowe's "Earn Your Sunday Bucket Belt." "Each human being that’s listening to me has had somebody of their life inform them, ‘You’re not adequate. You possibly can’t do it. We tried it, it didn’t work. Goodbye.’ Whether or not that’s at work, a relationship, or no matter have you ever.

"Sam Darnold has discovered a option to rise above it, block out the critics, and play his finest soccer when it issues essentially the most."

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When Darnold was popping out of USC within the 2018 NFL Draft, he was a possible first general choice to the Cleveland Browns. As an alternative, after the Browns took Baker Mayfield, Darnold was chosen by the New York Jets third general to be their hopeful savior for the franchise.

The Jets hadn't made the playoffs in practically a decade, however Darnold was alleged to be the man to get them out of that funk. Sadly, for him and the Jets, that by no means occurred.

Darnold's time in New York lasted simply three seasons earlier than GM Joe Douglas shipped him off to the Carolina Panthers , ending a roller-coaster tenure that might've been the top of his beginning days within the league.

However Darnold rose via the adversity, as Hanson identified. After 17 begins for the Panthers throughout two seasons, his contract wasn't renewed and he was on the hunt for his subsequent alternative. It was the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan who introduced in Darnold, and he ultimately beat out Trey Lance for the backup function to Brock Purdy – one other enjoyable story given his rise from Mr. Irrelevant because the final decide of the NFL Draft to a Tremendous Bowl-playing quarterback.

Sam Darnold of the Carolina Panthers throws earlier than the sport towards the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium on Nov. 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Photographs)

Darnold has spoken about how the 49ers acquired him again on observe, and that was clearly the case after becoming a member of the Minnesota Vikings final season.

"Again-to-back 14-win seasons for 2 totally different groups and enjoying within the greatest recreation of his life," Hanson mentioned, referencing what Darnold did for the Vikings in his 14-3 season. "The primary-ever quarterback to start out a Tremendous Bowl from USC. Take into consideration the nice historical past of the Trojans. No USC quarterback has made it to start out a Tremendous Bowl."

When Darnold joined the Seahawks, he advised Fox Information Digital in Might 2025 that he felt it was the best match, particularly given his relationship with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak throughout their time collectively in San Francisco. Appears poetic they're each again in Santa Clara in two weeks for the most important recreation in American sport.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lifts the winner's trophy subsequent to Michael Strahan, left, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams within the NFC Championship NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Picture/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Darnold is a good story about staying true to your self, understanding you will have the expertise, and making the most effective of each state of affairs, good or dangerous.

"Even Jets followers have gotten to be like, ‘You recognize what, Sam? We drafted you to win championships over the New England Patriots. Go on the market on Tremendous Bowl Sunday and just do that, regardless that you’re sporting the J-E-T-S in entrance of your chest there,'" Hanson mentioned. "I believe it’s a implausible human curiosity story, and you probably have no horse within the race, why not root for Sam Darnold to have an awesome, nice Tremendous Bowl Sunday."

EARNING YOUR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY WITH LOWE'S

All season lengthy, Lowe’s has been discovering methods to assist NFL followers "Earn Their Sundays," and their finest method for Tremendous Bowl LX is one thing Hanson could be very enthusiastic about.

The "Earn Your Sunday Bucket Belt" appears like an everyday device belt that may go round a five-gallon Lowe’s bucket, however Hanson desires to see snacks, drinks, grilling instruments and extra on it for the Massive Recreation.

Lowe's introduces the Bucket Belt forward of this 12 months's Tremendous Bowl LX matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. (Lowe's)

Gameday necessities are reimagined, and Hanson believes everybody ought to have one for Feb. 8.

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"Theoretically, it’s for all of your instruments. However on Tremendous Bowl Sunday, it’s drinks, it’s snacks. The one instruments are grilling instruments that we wish to see in there," Hanson mentioned. "Straps on prime of the bucket right here, and you'll fill it up with ice on your favourite drinks. There’s some soccer goodies and you'll earn your Tremendous Bowl Sunday and revel in Tremendous Bowl LX in Lowe’s model."