The Seattle Seahawks’ star quarterback has found his forever cheerleader in Katie Hoofnagle.
The pair hard-launched their relationship in June 2023 and have remained relatively private since. While it’s unclear when they started dating, Sam Darnold and Hoofnagle revealed their engagement in a July 2025 Instagram post.
Darnold spoke about his fiancée’s support amid preparations for Super Bowl 60, where he and the Seahawks will face Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in a battle for the coveted Lombardi trophy.
Addressing reporters on Super Bowl 60 opening night Feb. 2, Darnold was asked about how he keeps his peace during the season.
“I think it comes back to, for me, having a great fiancée. She does a lot for me, and she keeps me calm,” Darnold said. “She reminds me of why I do what I do, why I go to work every single day.”
Read on for more about Darnold and Hoofnagle’s relationship ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl.
She Grew up Around San Francisco, California
Super Bowl 60 marks a homecoming for Hoofnagle, who attended the Bay Area’s Monte Vista High School, where she was captain of the varsity soccer team, according to posts from her Instagram account.
She Attended the University of South Carolina
Hoofnagle went on to attend the University of South Carolina, where she continued to play soccer, per her Instagram.
After graduation, she lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, often posting photos from Bank of America Stadium.
Of note, Darnold played on the Carolina Panthers from 2021-2022, a year before he and Hoofnagle hard-launched their relationship on Instagram.
The Pair Went Public with Their Relationship in June 2023
In a post celebrating Darnold’s birthday, Hoofnagle hard-launched her relationship status with the football star.
The carousel featured pictures of the pair smiling together at an event for the Jessie Rees Foundation, a nonprofit Darnold supports that provides aid to pediatric cancer patients.
“your huge heart, goofy energy, and ability to quote every movie you’ve ever seen are unmatched. happy 26th birthday, celebrating you is so easy! 🤍” she wrote in the caption.
She’s Supported His Football Career Through Several Moves
Since his first season in the NFL in 2018, Darnold has played for five different teams.
Darnold was first drafted by the New York Jets before being traded to the Carolina Panthers, which he played for from 2021 to 2022
In 2023, Darnold played for the San Francisco 49ers as backup quarterback to Brock Purdy. After debuting their relationship, Hoofnagle posted in support of Darnold after the 49ers won the NFC championship in January 2024.
The next season, Darnold played for the Minnesota Vikings, and Hoofnagle celebrated the move with a post to Instagram. She captioned the post, “here’s to the next chapter — SKOL!” referring to the team’s signature chant.
After the Vikings won a tight game at the end of their season, Hoofnagle posted a picture to Instagram celebrating the victory.
Darnold now plays for the Seattle Seahawks and has made it to the Super Bowl as their star quarterback. Hoofnagle posted a series of images after the Seahawks won the NFC championship on Jan. 25, including a picture of her embracing her fiancée. She captioned the post, “WE’RE NOT DONE YET!!!”
Sam Darnold shares a moment with his fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle, following the NFC championship.Michael Owens / Getty Images
She’s Friends with Ann Michael Maye, Wife of Patriots QB Drake Maye
Based on her Instagram, Hoofnagle is friends with Ann Michael Maye, the wife of the New England Patriots’ quarterback, Drake Maye.
Ann Michael Maye commented on Hoofnagle’s engagement announcement in July 2025, writing “Congratulations!!! So excited for you guys🤍.”
They also previously posted a photo together in January 2025, seemingly hanging out before the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Now, their respective significant others are about to go head-to-head in the league’s biggest game.
Hoofnagle and Darnold Made Their Red Carpet Debut at the 2025 NFL Honors
The couple posed together on the red carpet for the NFL Honors in 2025. Hoofnagle wore a stunning sparkling dress that cinched at the waist.
Katie Hoofnagle and Sam Darnold attend the NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre on Feb. 6, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
The Couple Got Engaged in July 2025
Hoofnagle shared a series of photos from their engagement to Instagram.
“YES!!!!!” she captioned the original post.
A few days later, she posted more pictures to celebrate the occasion. These pictures were from an engagement photoshoot on a beach in Dana Point, California.
“a couple more from the best day ever🕊️ here’s to forever together,” she wrote.
