A visit to Panthers training camp in 2022 netted an autograph from Sam Darnold, now a member of the Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers.
In July 2022, I returned to the NFL Carolina Panthers training camp at Wofford University in Spartanburg, South Carolina. My mission as a football fan was to meet quarterback Sam Darnold, who vied for the starting quarterback position against Baker Mayfield.
Before that Wednesday morning’s football practice, Sam was one of the first players to walk past the line of fans. I waved a Sam Darnold number 14 jersey at him, and he gave me a thumbs-up.
All the fans in line except for me were men. Maybe that’s why when rookie quarterback Matt Corral walked by, he only said, “Hey!” to me!
It was easy to watch Sam do reps throughout the practice because he was one of the quarterbacks who wore a red shirt. Even though the weather was sweltering, I stood by the fence and watched the entire practice.
After the practice session, Sam came over to the fence and spoke to me. He appeared taller, muscular, with broad shoulders than he looked on television. My face was red like his red shirt, and I could barely speak. I handed him my additional jersey to be signed.
During the 2022 Panthers’ season, Sam was injured during the preseason games. He recovered and was the starting quarterback after Baker Mayfield left the Panthers mid-season.
Sam was later traded to the San Francisco 49ers, who will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas as the NFL season concludes.
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