Sam Darnold is not taking his New York Jets loyalists for granted.
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback spoke lovingly of his former fan base after bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to the Pacific Northwest. Darnold fielded questions Tuesday during what appeared to be an endorsement appearance for Raising Cane’s.
Jets reporter Justin Fried asked Darnold if he had a message for Jets fans who have continued to support him. The first two words that came to Darnold’s mind were “thank you.”
“That’s all you can ask for as a player, is to feel supported,” said Darnold.
“Especially by the team that drafted me, and I always look at myself and feel like I could have done a lot more for that franchise when I was there. The fact that they’re able to support me even through that means a lot.”
The Jets picked Darnold third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft ahead of future MVP quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Darnold’s career in New York fizzled out after three seasons with the team, sending him on a five-year odyssey that culminated in him winning a Super Bowl ring as Jets fans watched from afar.
Darnold himself has spoken fondly of his former team and has refused to blame the Jets organization for why things didn’t work out in New York. The man has come a long way from when he was “seeing ghosts” while in a Jets uniform.
Ironically, Darnold’s success on another team may be what ends up haunting Jets fans for years to come.
