Being a professional athlete can certainly take a toll on the body, but it is financially rewarding. If you are familiar with American football, you understand how much tussling goes into every training session, and of course, game. And today, we will be discussing one of the NFL’s finest, Sam Darnold.
NFL Quarterback Sam Darnold’s net worth is estimated at over $20 million by 2020.
Here’s all we know about the NFL star and the amount of money that goes into his account for his prowess on the field.
Who is Sam Darnold?
Sam was born in Dana Point, California, on June 5, 1997. The athlete doesn’t have a rags-to-riches story as he seemed to have a pretty straightforward start. It was almost like he had everything figured out because he started playing basketball in high school.
He was the South Coast League’s most valuable player while in high school. Sam didn’t, however, pursue a career in basketball because his coach realized that his powerful rebound and shooting abilities would be more useful in a different sport.
Sam’s high school football teacher recorded clips of the athlete playing basketball. He then used those videos to help Sam apply for scholarships in many colleges. These clips got him noticed, landing him football scholarship offers from prestigious college teams such as Utah, Oregon, and Duke.
He was eventually accepted to study at the University of South Carolina and play college football in 2015. However, Sam remained a redshirt for a year before eventually making his debut against the Utah Utes in 2016. Although his team lost, Darnold completed 18-of-26 passes.
In 2018, he took the bold step of applying for the NFL draft. People say that you have to go after what you want, and Sam did just that by enrolling for the draft.
It paid off because he came in third for the New York Jets. His deal with the team included a $30.5 million signup bonus with a $2.7 million salary. The contract ran for four years and ended in 2022.
Sam Darnold’s endorsements
Athletes tend to have many endorsement deals because brands are always looking to leverage their influence. In 2021, Sam Darnold had no endorsements–which could sound odd for a rising start like him– but the answer was simple.
Sam hasn’t spent a lot of years outside of college football, so brands were still accessing him. However, in 2022, people were expecting him to sign new deals since his career went up at a steady pace.
Who is Sam Darnold dating?
Companionship is an important aspect of our lives because we are emotional beings. So it’s only normal to want to share our lives with a partner and have somebody love us, especially when we lead busy lives. Sam is no exception to this.
In 2016, he got emotionally involved with Claire Kirksey, an American student who doesn’t lead a life under the spotlight. The major reason she became popular was because people classified her as an athlete’s girlfriend.
The couple had a good run while they were together. There were no scandals, accusations or funny stories surrounding them. However, not all good things last forever.
In 2021, the couple split. It seems to have been a quiet and peaceful breakup, with no reports of animosity between the exes. The couple had no kids together.
What is Sam Darnold up to?
In 2022, Sam Darnold’s contract with New York Jets was set to end but they increased it by one year. However, in 2021, the Jets traded him to the Carolina Panthers.
The athlete didn’t also have much going on in his personal life as he already called off his relationship with Claire Kirksey in 2021.
But, people had high hopes for him as they expected him to sign many endorsement deals. Plus, people were rooting for him to keep making them proud on the field and he didn’t disappoint.
What is Sam Darnold’s net worth?
In 2021, Darnold’s net worth was $30 million and all the money came from his salary and endorsements. He had a $30 million deal with the New York Jets, excluding his signup bonus which was above $20 million. Additionally, he had an annual salary of around $7 million.
Sam Darnold is indeed a rising star in the realm of professional sports. Having reached the $30 million mark only in his 20s, Sam has certainly accomplished so much. From playing basketball as a kid to making millions playing football as a grownup–he has shown fans how shifting gears can be that one crucial step to hitting the jackpot.