Sam Darnold’s “Ham for Sam” Moment Goes Viral at Super Bowl Opening Night
At the 2026 Super Bowl Opening Night in San Jose, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold became the unlikely star of a humorous viral moment. During media availability, Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez presented Darnold with a giant ham-shaped foam hat and encouraged onlookers to chant “Ham for Sam!” — and the crowd happily obliged.
Darnold, known for his resilient NFL journey from early struggles with the Jets to a breakout season with the Seahawks, smiled and played along, even donning the hat for a few seconds before returning to his signature cap. The lighthearted exchange quickly spread across social platforms as fans embraced the fun and the unexpected Super Bowl week highlight.
The moment served as a reminder that even amid championship focus and high stakes, the Super Bowl experience still welcomes levity, personality, and viral crowd engagement. Whether you’re a Seahawks fan or just love a good meme-worthy moment, “Ham for Sam” is the story everyone’s talking about this week.