The China Mail - Sam Darnold: the 'old soul' QB tipped to win Super Bowl

It is not a typical hobby in the world of fast cars and diamond-encrusted jewelry beloved by NFL football players -- let alone for the star of the team tipped to win the Super Bowl.

"Sam is an old soul," said Jaime Ortiz, Darnold's high school coach.

"He doesn't talk a whole lot. He lets his actions do the talking," Ortiz told AFP.

Recently, those actions have been phenomenal. Darnold and the Seahawks are three wins from a Super Bowl and are the betting market's favorite to go all the way.

Darnold, 28, led Seattle to the joint-best record in the NFL this year, with his second consecutive 14-win season -- an amazing back-to-back feat only previously achieved by Tom Brady.

"Sam has this unique ability -- the game slows down for him," said Ortiz.

"There's usually one play, two plays a game, when you're like, 'how did you do that?' That's been him since he was in high school."

- California dreamin' -

Seattle's playoff route to Super Bowl LX begins Saturday, against the San Fransico 49ers. It is an appropriate opponent for a California kid.

Darnold attended high school in the southern surf town of San Clemente, where he was voted Orange County's best football player -- and best basketball player, and best track athlete.

Darnold played both defense and offense, at outside linebacker and wide receiver.

"We could have put Sam as quarterback, but then how does Sam throw to himself? Because he was such a good athlete," said Ortiz, who recalls Darnold as ambitious but "very humble and quiet."

Darnold was spotted by the University of Southern California and made the coveted quarterback position his own in a hugely successful college stint.

Once in the NFL, first-round pick Darnold was immediately thrust into the New York Jets' starting lineup, and initially struggled in the harsh spotlight.

But a season with the 49ers, as back-up to quarterback Brock Purdy, proved a vital "reset" for Darnold, said Ortiz.

"That was probably the first time in his NFL career where he sat back and just watched," said the coach.

Darnold studied Purdy and coach Kyle Shanahan's meticulous preparation.

"To me, it's kind of poetic that he gets to go against the team that he learned a lot from," said Ortiz.

- 'Sam Clemente' -

Despite recent form, Darnold is still doubted by some pundits and fans.

His superb 2024-25 season with the Minnesota Vikings ended in two disastrous losses. He was sacked nine times in a playoff defeat.

Even this year, Darnold led all NFL quarterbacks in turnovers conceded, with 20, prompting claims he was bailed out by Seattle's superb defense.

Darnold's "bouts of erratic play throughout his career have fueled doubts that he can be trusted when his best is required," said one recent ESPN column.

Those doubts do not appear to afflict Darnold's teammates.

When Darnold threw four turnovers in a game in November, Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones launched a spirited defense.

"He's our quarterback. We've got his back, and if you've got anything to say, quite frankly, fuck you," Jones told a press conference.

Those comments were appreciated in Darnold's hometown. The high school sent Jones a double XL-sized San Clemente football shirt with a note: "Thank you for having Sam's back."

Whether Darnold goes on to American football's biggest prize on February 8 remains to be seen. On Thursday, the Seahawks revealed he is questionable to play this weekend, with an oblique injury.

Regardless, crowds in what has been dubbed "Sam Clemente" will gather for Seattle game viewing parties.

"If the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, this city is going to shut down and we're gonna have a parade for Sam," said Ortiz.

"I can guarantee you that."

U.Feng--ThChM