Sam Darnold is blessed with a hands-off philosophy from his parents! Raised in an athletic background, the Minnesota Vikings QB’s NFL success is enough to please his parents. “Sam’s not flashy, he’s not a yeller, he’s not a trophy collector or a bragger. But I feel like we worked hard to raise our kids the right way. And it’s paid off,” says Sam Darnold’s athletic father, Mike Jr., reflecting his deep faith in his son’s dominance on the field. Along with his dad, his mom, Chris Darnold, brought him up with athletic discipline and never forced him to specialize in a single sport.

But, with a multi-sport supernova strategy, they let him find his passion through his own experiences. And, undoubtedly, it worked for him. Despite learning from different sports, including basketball, volleyball, and baseball, he finally found himself suited for football. His impressive records and accolades in football are a testament to this. This is all due to his parents’ unwavering support and true guidance.

Who is Sam Darnold’s father, Mike Jr.?

For the ex-USC star quarterback, his dad, Mike Jr., made everything conducive to his sports interests from a young age, as Mike himself is a former football player. Interestingly, the NFL player’s father also played for the University of Redlands as an offensive lineman. It is clear that he flawlessly instilled athletic values in his son.

However, Mike could not make a career in the league for unknown reasons, but now his son is seemingly fulfilling his NFL dream. And, earlier, when Sam was selected as the third overall pick by the Jets in the 2018 NFL draft, Mike expressed his adoration for his son’s position. “One day you open your eyes and it’s, ‘Holy cow, your son is in this position. I mean, it’s crazy, right? Crazy, crazy, crazy—one in a million,’” Mike reflected.

Not only is his dad proud of his NFL accomplishments, but Sam is equally attached to him. And, his social media posts provide evidence of this. Back in 2021, Sam took to his official Instagram account to pay tribute to his dad on Father’s Day. Along with sharing a throwback picture of his dad, featuring himself young with his father, he captioned it perfectly: “The best dad a kid could ask for. Happy Father’s Day, pops!!”

This indeed showcased the profound bond between them. Not only has his father supported him throughout his journey, but his athletic mother has also inspired him in many ways.

Who is Sam Darnold’s mother, Chris Darnold?

The Vikings star player’s mother, Chris Darnold, is also a sports enthusiast. She excelled in volleyball and played for Long Beach City College (LBCC) in California. Later, she was impressed by her athletic partner, Mike Jr., with whom she shares two children. Together, they raised their kids in an athletic environment in Southern California. Just like his younger son, Sam, his elder sister Franki also plays volleyball for the University of Rhode Island.

Earlier, his mom stated, “We’ve always tried to keep things in perspective. Yes, our children have always loved playing sports.” However, she also recounted the geographic struggles, “But around here, in this part of California, it too often becomes live and die. That’s a big mistake in my opinion. It has to be fun.”

Athleticism runs in the blood of the Darnold family. Sam’s late grandpa, Dick Hammer, was a part of the basketball team at USC. He was also on the 1954 team roster that made their way to the Final Four. Not only this, he was also part of the 1964 U.S. Olympic men’s volleyball team. Given the rich historical legacy, one can certainly presume that Sam received a great deal of motivation to write his future.