NFL player Sam Darnold sparked dating rumors with ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ Haliey Welch in 2024 after leaving a red heart emoji on her post, but later clarified his relationship status.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold made grand rounds surrounding dating rumors in 2024, linking him to internet sensation Haliey Welch, better known as “Hawk Tuah Girl.”
The buzz started with a small yet noticeable online action. In mid-2024, Sam Darnold left a red heart emoji on a social media post about Haliey Welch’s interview with Barstool Sports.
Welch was gaining attention for her viral video moment, and Darnold’s emoji caught fans’ eyes, sparking whispers that there might be something romantic between them. This was the very first incident that got people talking.
Things got spicier when Welch posted a cryptic teaser for her Talk Tuah podcast, saying she’d soon reveal her mystery boyfriend, whom she called “Pookie.”
She even included a photo of Darnold among other possibilities in the teaser post which further fueled the rumors. In nearly no time, fans connected the dots, and this move coming right after Darnold’s heart emoji sent the rumors into overdrive.
As fun as the rumors were, they didn’t hold up. In November 2024, Welch cleared the air surrounding the rumors on her podcast, revealing that her boyfriend is Kelby Blackwell, a plumber from her hometown, not Sam Darnold.
Welch confirmed there was no romance with the quarterback. Meanwhile, Darnold put the gossip to rest in December 2024 by sharing an Instagram post confirming his relationship with his girlfriend, Katie Hoofnagle, calling her his “best friend.”
NFL Player Sam Darnold Has Been Dating Katie Hoofnagle Since Atleast 2023!
Although precise details about their relationship remain unknown, Sam and Katie Hoofnagle have been together since at least 2023.
That’s when Katie shared a special Instagram post for Sam’s 26th birthday in June. She wrote about how much she loved his “huge heart” and “goofy energy,” calling him her “best friend.” It was a big moment that let the world know they were a couple.
While they might have been dating before 2023, that’s the first time they went public with their love. Since then, they’ve kept things private but share just enough to show they’re happy.
In fact, her social media grid is full of little nods to their relationship. Katie is often seen supporting Sam at Vikings games.
In 2023, she shared photos from the stadium, cheering as Sam played.
She’s also posted about quieter moments, like a cozy dinner date in California in early 2025, showing they love spending time together no matter where they are.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sam Darnold has an estimated net worth of $30 million, accumulated from his NFL contracts.
- Before Katie Hoofnagle, Sam Darnold was in a relationship with Claire Kirksey while attending the University of Southern California (USC).
