From Ghosts to Glory—Sam Darnold’s Redemption and More Thoughts on Super Bowl LX
Before I dive into football, here’s a CAVEAT and a SO WHAT? First, Christ-followers in football are flawed humans, not elite spiritual heroes a la Hebrews 11. Secondly, my WHY for this article is to encourage you and me to be inspired and prompted to live out the same principles I highlight in these players and coaches.
My Dad played on seven teams in 13 seasons, won two championships, and came within a couple of touchdowns of playing in the first Super Bowl ever. He always explained to me that the essence of quarterbacking was positive vision—the ability to let go of the last play (whether sack, interception, or touchdown) to make sure the next one was a success for his team.
That can be incredibly difficult to do when you spend the first few years of your career on a struggling New York Jets team, as Sam Darnold did. Without the support of a great coaching staff or a solid team in place, Darnold saw little success, got hit a lot, and even started “seeing ghosts” in a game against the New England Patriots, meaning he expected there to be a rusher coming free even when there wasn’t. That’s how tough it was for Sam.
After being touted as the savior of the Jets, he was booed by the fans, traded to the Panthers, forgotten on the 49ers, resurrected on the Vikings, then doubted and rejected in free agency by the Vikings. Finally, he found his team and destiny as a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks (poetically, against those Patriots who had haunted Sam as a Jet and haunted Pete Carroll’s 2014 Seahawks when a “ghost” named Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson on the infamous last play that should have been handed off to Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch).
Through all the disappointments, failures, and setbacks of being on five teams in eight seasons. Darnold stayed positive and focused on opportunities while avoiding stewing on memories, regrets, or bitterness.
How was he able to do it? I think it goes back to the scouting report that former coach and commentator Jason Garrett shared about him: “He’s not affected by failure.”
Garrett had the chance to ask Darnold where that came from.
“I got that from my hardworking dad and my patient teacher mom,” Darnold said, “My biggest career improvement came from letting go of feeling like, ‘I’ve got to make a play. So much practice of particular situations lets us relax and let it rip in that moment.”
After the 2022 season with the Panthers, Darnold was once again rejected by a team that would rather start from scratch with a rookie QB. So, he signed a one-year deal with the 49ers, for the first time as a backup.
Most would consider that rock bottom for a QB taken in third overall in the draft. He didn’t let pride or ego get in the way. That season, Darnold learned, and he grew: “I think because of that year in San Francisco, I was able to learn a ton from Brock and Coach Shanahan.”
Not only did he learn, but Darnold got to experience success. He got to prepare for the Super Bowl (a super-sized and uniquely pressurized game) in 2023 as a backup, so that just two years later, surrounded by a team that fully supported and believed in him, he could lead his team with a calm poise to a Super Bowl victory.
The Strength of a Humble, Other-Centered Team
It’s easy to see how bonded this team is. Darnold called it “the most connected team,” and wide receiver Cooper Kupp said, “Guys love each other, play for each other.” But those are just media bites unless you can see the evidence of it on and off the field.
For many of the guys, their strong character is firmly rooted in their identity in Christ. Offensive Coordinator (and new Head Coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, as of February 9), Klint Kubiak said, “I’ve learned from many chaplains that I’ve been around on different teams that our identity is not in our job. My identity is in Christ. I’ve had mentors who helped me get into bible studies and read the Word every day. It took a really heavy load off, knowing that I’m a child of God.” Clint actually gave a Bible to every Seahawk this season.
Star wide receiver and Offensive Player of the Year Jackson Smith-Njigba credited his success to “staying grounded and giving Him the glory, serving others and the Lord.”
Fullback Brady Russell reads the Bible every morning. Tight end Ted Kallerup is on day 204 in his Bible. Wide receiver Dereke Young prays with his girlfriend on the phone before every game, and several others have talked openly about their faith, like Cupp, center Olu Oluwatami, offensive lineman Amar Knight, and linebacker Drake Thomas.
Their example has also shone a light for others, too! Linebacker Earnest Jones IV said, “There’s been a chapel in every team I’ve been on, but this is the most guys I’ve ever seen in chapel. That kind of started to drive me to say, ‘What are these guys doing? What do they have?’ That’s just nothing but the work of the Lord. These guys definitely motivated me.” Please remember that your example of friendship with Jesus and core friends is also an illuminating example inspiring those around you.
You can find these quotes and many more great ones here:
Seattle Seahawks faith conversations at Super Bowl LX in San Francisco
Final Thoughts
I also noticed how much different football is now than it was when I played in the 80s and 90s. That was an age of tough, authoritarian, hierarchical-dominant coaches who led from an elevated position over the players.
Compare that to what I saw last night. Coach Mike MacDonald and his assistant coaches all crammed into a narrow tunnel to honor the players, fist-bumping each one as they walked onto the field. On the opposing side, Coach Mike Vrabel deliberately hugs every player after games. And for my favorite example through the year, John Harbaugh shifted his focus from himself to his kicker, Tyler Loop, after he had missed the crucial, makeable field goal that cost the team a playoff berth, and cost the coach his job.
I sense that Coach MacDonald has a more humble foundation than many of the coaches of my era, and it shows in his style and words: “My faith has really grown over the last couple years, that’s what I lean on. That’s where strength comes from. Gives me a sense of gratitude, gives me strength to guide these guys every day” (italics mine).
Guided by this kind of high-quality leadership, Sam has filled his role on a great all-around team. And, thanks to a quintessentially resilient and positive quarterback mindset and vision on the football field and in life, Sam Darnold is now a Super Bowl champion.
To learn more and grow in the leadership and friendship that Jesus modelled for us, sign up for my CORE 3 COACHING, a no-cost weekly text to benefit your life.
