Christian Ponder’s wife, Samantha Ponder, tied the knot with the former NFL player in 2012. The couple became husband and wife within a year of meeting.
The ESPN reporter and former quarterback share many things in common. Love for football is one of them, and so is their faith in Christianity.
Christian and Samantha Ponder probably had one of the chillest weddings. In an interview, Samantha shared Christian picked her up from the airport, and she was wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and a hat.
The two then drove 20 minutes, walked in, and got married. Later, they went and ate at Arby’s for their wedding meal. And maybe that chill attitude is one of the reasons the couple is still happily married after a decade.
Christian Ponder Wife, Samantha Ponder, Works For ESPN
Chrisitan Ponder’s wife, Samantha Ponder, had years of experience working as a sideline reporter for football before joining ESPN.
Her first stint began at Liberty University, reporting as a sideline TV reporter for football and men’s and women’s basketball games. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Samantha Ponder attended Central High School.
She planned to join Liberty University but thought about working in New York and joined a small Christian School, The King’s College. Samantha spent three years at The King’s College and later interned at the ABC College Football studio show.
While in New York, Samantha met Bruce Carey, Liberty University’s producer for athletic TV broadcast. The two discussed Samantha working for Flames Sports Network, which is when Samantha joined Liberty University.
After graduating from Liberty in 2009, Samantha joined Fox Sports Net and covered Pac-10 and Big 12 games. After working for two years with Fox Sports Net, Samantha caught the eye of ESPN and started her ESPN journey with ESPN Friday Night games.
Within a year, ESPN gave Samantha further responsibilities and added sideline reporting duties for Thursday night games.
Samantha’s popularity only grew year after year, and in 2017, she replaced sports broadcasting legend Chris Berman in the Sunday morning NFL pregame show, “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
In an interview, Samantha also talked about the support she had received from her family for her sports career. The ESPN reporter comes from a sporty family, owning basketball and football clinics.
During her interview, Samantha also revealed her family owned a recreation center in Phoenix called M.A.D (Make A Difference) House.
Christian And Samantha Married Life And Kids
Christian and Samantha met for the first time in 2012, and within a year were married and happily settled. The couple first came in contact through the social media site X formerly Twitter.
It was the former NFL player who initiated the conversation. He would send Samantha messages on Twitter and ask her random questions about living in Austin.
When asked if she feels her courtship with Christian to be a whirlwind trip, Samantha said it didn’t feel like that at all. The ESPN reporter said she works with the mentality, “When you know, you know.”
One of the biggest reasons for their quick bonding was their belief in Christianity. The couple tied the knot on December 17, 2012, at a courthouse in Wisconsin.
The same night as their wedding, the couple also attended an Ugly Sweater Party for the former Vikings quarterback. Since tying the knot in 2012, the football couple has raised three kids.
Their first child, Bowden Sainte-Claire Ponder, was born in 2014. She is named after the legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden.
Their second child and first son, Robinson True Ponder, was born in 2017 and is named after baseball legend Jackie Robinson and former NBA star David Robinson.
Samantha and Christian’s third child and second daughter, Price Ponder, was born in 2018 and is the only one not to be named after a legendary sports personality.
Samantha and Christian are active on Instagram and have shared family pictures alongside sharing details about their current work status.
