SEATTLE — As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face off in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, quarterback Sam Darnold stands at the center of the spotlight, his journey to this moment a testament to perseverance forged in the unlikeliest of places: his childhood home in Southern California.
Darnold, now 28, is set to lead the Seahawks in what could be the defining game of his career. Drafted third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft amid sky-high expectations, Darnold's path has been anything but straightforward. Over his first three seasons, he compiled a losing record, was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, and spent time as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings before finally securing a starting role. This marks his fifth NFL team in eight professional seasons, a nomadic existence that tested his resolve at every turn.
His breakthrough came in 2024 with the Vikings, where he stepped into the starting lineup after his main competitor suffered a season-ending knee injury. To the surprise of many analysts, Darnold guided Minnesota to a 14-3 regular-season record, earning him a lucrative three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in March 2025. Now, on the cusp of a potential championship, Darnold attributes much of his mental fortitude to the lessons imparted by his parents, who instilled in him a resilience that has carried him through setbacks and self-doubt.
"My dad worked as a plumber, and my mom is a PE teacher, and it never mattered what kind of day they had," Darnold told The Athletic in an interview on Friday. "They were always consistent for me and my sister. [It] didn't matter what had happened at work; my dad was always out there playing catch with me afterwards. So, you know, I feel like I just naturally kind of learned to be resilient."
Growing up in San Diego, Darnold watched his father, Mike, return home from grueling plumbing jobs without complaint, always making time for family activities. His mother, Jackie, a physical education teacher, brought the same steady demeanor to their household. This consistency, Darnold said, taught him to compartmentalize challenges and maintain focus, a skill that proved invaluable during his early NFL struggles.
Even today, as he navigates the pressures of Super Bowl week, Darnold leans on his family for balance. "I would say my family is a huge part in just my ability to get over things when it's bad, and they do a good job of keeping me grounded when things are good," he added to The Athletic. This support network has been crucial, especially after years of criticism that labeled him a bust following his promising college career at USC.
Psychologists and experts echo the importance of such early influences in building mental toughness. Resilience, they say, is essential for high-stakes professions like professional football, where failure is frequent and public. In a March 2021 article for CNBC Make It, psychotherapist Amy Morin emphasized that parents play a pivotal role in teaching children to rebound from adversity.
"The most accomplished people reached their goals by failing along the way," Morin wrote. "Kids who do well later in life focus their attention on what went wrong and how they could fix it. They have growth mindsets that help them turn failures into positive learning experiences."
Morin's insights align with Darnold's own evolution. Early in his career, he admitted to fixating on errors, allowing poor performances to overshadow his overall well-being. In an interview with Fox Sports that aired on January 30, 2026, Darnold reflected on how his on-field mistakes would linger, affecting his mood and confidence for days.
That mindset began to shift as Darnold drew inspiration from his parents' example. "Sometimes, mistakes happen and you learn from it," he told reporters. "And you don't want to make the same mistakes again, but [if you have] a long career, those things are going to happen." This perspective helped him resurrect his career, transforming from a journeyman backup to a Pro Bowl-caliber starter who led Seattle to the NFC Championship and a Super Bowl berth.
Darnold has also found motivation in the words of NFL legend Jerry Rice, the Hall of Fame wide receiver known for his unparalleled work ethic. Speaking to The San Francisco Standard on Thursday, Darnold shared a quote that resonates deeply with him: "Jerry Rice said that he never had a perfect practice or a perfect game," Darnold recounted. "That's the mindset I try to have. It's not always going to be perfect, [but] it's about how can you move on from mistakes to continue to better the team and better yourself."
Rice's philosophy, which emphasizes progress over perfection, has become a cornerstone of Darnold's preparation. No longer does he dwell on interceptions or missed throws; instead, he practices mental resets. "Now, rather than dwelling on mistakes — which are bound to happen, in some way — Darnold tries 'to flush bad plays, flush bad games' from his memory and move on with his positive attitude intact," he explained to The Athletic.
When faced with adversity during games or practices, Darnold relies on a simple mantra to stay composed: "'That happens. It's football. We're not always going to be perfect.'" This approach has not only bolstered his individual performance — he threw for over 4,200 yards and 28 touchdowns in the 2025 season with Seattle — but has also unified the Seahawks' offense, which features young talents like wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Kenneth Walker III.
The Seahawks' run to Super Bowl 60 has been marked by dramatic wins, including a 31-28 playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on January 26, 2026, at Lumen Field. Darnold's poise under pressure in that contest, where he engineered a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, drew praise from coach Mike Macdonald. "Sam's ability to stay even-keeled is something special," Macdonald said post-game. "He's grown so much since joining us."
While Darnold's story is one of personal triumph, it also highlights broader themes in the NFL, where quarterbacks face intense scrutiny. Former players and analysts have noted that mental health resources have improved league-wide since the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, with teams now required to provide counseling services. Darnold's openness about his journey could inspire younger athletes navigating similar pressures.
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Darnold and the Seahawks as they challenge the favored Kansas City Chiefs. For Darnold, victory would cap a remarkable redemption arc, but win or lose, his emphasis on resilience offers a blueprint for anyone facing life's inevitable setbacks. His parents, watching from the stands, will no doubt see echoes of the lessons they taught so many years ago.