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“Losing Money To Win A Ring Is Criminal” – NFL Fans Are Furious Over How Much Money In Taxes Sam Darnold Must Pay After Winning Super Bowl 60

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Sam Darnold looking on.
Sam Darnold (Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images)

Football fans are losing their minds after learning just how much Sam Darnold will pay the state of California in Taxes after leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl 60 championship.

NFL players receive a $178,000 bonus for winning the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Super Bowl 60 champion Sam Darnold, that lucrative bonus actually costs him money, thanks to California’s jock tax.

Though the state of Washington is his primary work residence, Darnold will still have to pay the jock tax for technically “working” in Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60. Darnold is set to pay roughly $249,000 in taxes, according to Sportico, meaning he’s actually losing $71,000 with his Super Bowl bonus.

NFL fans can’t comprehend why Sam Darnold is being financially punished for winning the Super Bowl.

“The NFL needs to ban any future Super Bowls from being held in California. Players losing money to win a ring is criminal 🤦‍♂️,” Dov Kleiman wrote.

“Players should refuse to even practice in CA! Just fly in long enough for the game and leave. Then it’s only 1 day,” said a fan.

“HELLO!! Like the NFL really gives a flying flip about what the players take home. The sole focus is what’s in it for The Big Shield,” a user commented.

“Which is insane considering the super bowl is confirmed for Sofi next year,” another wrote.

“That is on the NFL. They know that, and they should tell California, fix it, or we will never play a SB in the state again,” a fan added.

“So obviously the Seahawks front desk pays that right?” a user asked.

Let’s remember this, though: Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks last year.

Throw in his other previous career earnings (including the one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings and his $30.2 million rookie deal), and $71,000 isn’t life-changing money for Darnold. So there’s that.

Sam Darnold Completed A Remarkable Redemption Story

Sam Darnold being interviewed
Sam Darnold (Photo via Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The New York Jets drafted Darnold third overall in 2018. That class also featured quarterbacks Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. Darnold is the first among them to win a Super Bowl.

New York and the Carolina Panthers (Darnold’s second team) failed to build a proper roster around him. And after leading the Vikings to a 14-3 season in 2024? Darnold still wasn’t wanted, because Minny was ready to roll with JJ McCarthy.

The Seahawks believed in Darnold and made the lengthy investment that the Vikings refused to do. While the Vikings are reportedly eyeing a reunion with Kirk Cousins to challenge McCarthy, Darnold and the Seahawks are celebrating a Super Bowl championship.

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