Sam Howell, an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, credits his athletic success to his parents.
His father, Duke Howell, was his offensive coordinator during his high school play at Sun Valley High School.
Sam threw for 13,415 yards and 145 touchdowns while rushing for 3,621 yards and 60 touchdowns at Sun Valley High School.
Later, he committed to play college football at Florida State University but turned to the University of North Carolina. He was the first freshman to win the starting quarterback job for the Tar Heels.
The Washington Commanders selected him in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft and signed a four-year rookie contract on May 6, 2022.
He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on March 14, 2024, and to the Minnesota Vikings on April 26, 2025. Moreover, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles on August 24, 2025.
Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.
Sam Howell
Sam Howell’s Parents Are The Supportive Foundation
Sam Duke Howell, the son of Duke Howell and Amy Howell, was born on September 16, 2000, in Waynesville, North Carolina.
His parents raised him in a close-knit family alongside his elder sister, Anna, and younger brother, Will.
Duke and Amy Howell are the two people who built the foundation for Sam’s success.
They intentionally maintained a low profile, but their roles in his journey from a North Carolina high school star to an NFL starting quarterback are profound.
The football connection runs deep in the Howell family.
Duke Howell isn’t just a proud father but a football coach who understood the game’s complexity long before his son took a step in the field.
This shared knowledge became a unique advantage during Sam’s formative years at Sun Valley High School, where Duke served as the offensive coordinator.
Their bond extended from the dinner table to the film room, with Duke providing not just parental encouragement but technical guidance and a deep understanding of offensive strategy.
This invaluable, hands-on mentorship gave Sam a head start, refining his skills under the watchful eye of a coach who believed in him unconditionally.
Meanwhile, Amy Howell has always been the emotional bedrock. While less is known about her publicly, her role is no less critical.
She is a massive source of support both on and off the field and embodies the unwavering belief and love that every athlete needs.
Amy has been a constant presence, and her support transcends the wins and losses, representing the stable, loving home life that allows an athlete to thrive under pressure.
Sam Howell’s Pride in His Korean Heritage
Sam Howell carries a unique story of heritage and family pride that traces back to South Korea.
His relationship with Korea is a very intimate family story that started in the years following the Korean War.
His American grandfather, Bruce Howell, was stationed in Korea in 1960, where he met Han ‘Judy’ Howell.
Judy, the daughter of Myong Sok Park and Kum Ok Yang, was born in South Korea and would eventually marry Bruce. They lived across Asia and Europe before settling in Monroe, North Carolina.
The married couple was blessed with Sam’s father, Duke, making the young quarterback a quarter-Korean.
Sam’s heritage is a blend of cultures, and his paternal grandmother served as his most vital link to his Korean roots.
I’m super curious about my Korean heritage, and I think I’m even more curious now that my grandma is gone, because she was the big thing I had connecting me to that, and I always had her to tell me about it. I’m very proud of my background and where I come from, and I just think it’s an awesome part of me that I want people to know about.
Sam Howell
Sam’s appreciation for his background has only grown.
In 2022, he chose to publicly celebrate this part of his identity by participating in the NFL’s heritage initiative.
He proudly displayed the South Korean flag alongside the American flag on his helmet across Weeks 4 and 5 of the regular season.
It means a lot to me. My dad is half-Korean, and my grandma was full Korean. It means a lot to everyone on that side of my family. It is super cool to have something like that because you do not see many Korean-American football players.
Sam Howell
It has gotten more in touch with me as I have gotten older. I have started to take a step back and think more about my family, career, and heritage. When I was younger, I did not pay too much attention to it, but now that I am older, it is something I want people to know about me.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sam Howell stands 1.85 m tall and weighs about 102 kg.
- He has been in a relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Chloe Barbu.
- As of 2026, his net worth is estimated to be $4 million.
