The Sam Darnold redemption story is quite something - from being rated as one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL to Super Bowl champion.
It's a tale of never giving up, of character, unwavering self-belief and persistence, but also a warning for teams not to write a quarterback off too soon.
As youngsters being drafted into the NFL are at the mercy of circumstance, not every team will fit every rookie and the sport's history is littered with college stars deemed not good enough.
They often bounce around from team to team, as Darnold did, but never has one plumbed the depths before managing to rise up and claim the sport's ultimate prize in the ultimate NFL redemption story.
How bad was Darnold? The stats tell a story. After being drafted in 2018, he spent three seasons with the New York Jets and two with the Carolina Panthers, ranking among the bottom quarterbacks in several key areas.
Wins were the main issue, totaling just 21 in five seasons. He faced ridicule for his seeing ghosts comment amid struggles but has now reached the pinnacle of success.
With a stellar performance leading the Seahawks, Darnold became the first quarterback to enjoy successive 14-win seasons with different teams, even as critics pointed to his league-leading turnovers.
Yet, in a stunning turn of events, Darnold's team emerged as Super Bowl champions without a single turnover during the playoffs.
His story serves as a compelling reminder that success in the NFL often hinges not just on talent, but also on timing, fit, and opportunity in an unforgiving sport.
