The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has a love story worthy of landing with his fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle.
“Amidst the chaos of our daily lives, each day we spend with you is filled with an abundance of peace, laughter, presence, joy and love,” Hoofnagle wrote via Instagram in June 2025, celebrating Darnold’s birthday. “Here’s to another trip in the sun sharing good food, good music and good company.”
She continued: “Happy 28th birthday to my better half, I love you more.”
Main keys started dating Darnold in 2023, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. She has since been the quarterback’s No. 1 cheerleader throughout her respective tenures with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks in 2024 and 2025.
Hoofnagle even joined Darnold on the field after he led the Seahawks to victory in the 2026 NFC Championship game.
“I love you,” Hoofnagle said in January 2026, sealing Darnold’s victory with a kiss. “I’m so proud of you. Hey, you did it!”
Meanwhile, Darnold jokingly corrected Hoofnagle, adding that, “We did it.”
Keep scrolling for a timeline of Darnold and Hoofnagle’s relationship:
April 2023
Although Darnold and Hoofnagle have been tight-lipped about the origins of their romance, they made their social media debut in April 2023.
“Happy little moments 🌞💐🥂🌊,” Hoofnagle captioned one Instagram carousel, with images of a bouquet given by Darnold and selfies from their date nights.
Months later, Hoofnagle started uploading photos from the sidelines of Arnold’s 49ers games.
June 2023
Hoofnagle came up on Darnold in a 26th birthday tribute.
“Your huge heart, goofy energy and ability to quote every movie you’ve ever seen is unmatched,” she wrote via Instagram. “Happy 26th birthday, celebrating you is so easy!”
February 2025
Darnold and Hoofnagle made their red carpet debuts to the 2025 NFL honors, where Hoofnagle’s silver suit complemented Darnold’s black suit.
July 2025
Darnold proposed to Hoofnagle on the beach in Dana Point, California.
“YES!!!!!” Main keys subtitled portraits of your dream proposal. “Best day ever 🕊️. Here’s to forever together.”
January 2026

Sam Darnold kisses his fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle, after the 2026 NFC Championship game.
Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesDarnold and the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-21 in the NFC Championship, clinching a spot in the 2026 Super Bowl. At the end of the game, Hoofnagle ran onto the field to celebrate with her man
“Baby how about this?” Darnold said inside footage shared by the NFL. “(I) love you.”
Hoofnagle quickly replied that she “loves him more” before the duo shared a sweet kiss. He added, “Let’s go to the Super Bowl!”
Darnold and the Seahawks will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in February 2026.
“(It’s) unbelievable, but to be able to do it with these guys with this coaching staff, that’s why it means the world to me,” Darnold said in a postgame interview. “I take it one day at a time, every day. To be able to do it with these guys … it’s a special group, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”
Hoofnagle later shared footage from the NFC title game celebration through her Instagramwriting: “YET WE’RE NOT DONE!!!”


