NFL Fans Are Destroying Sam Darnold For His ‘Classless’ Act Towards Drake Maye After Winning Super Bowl 60 [VIDEO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
NFL fans are blasting Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold over his interesting postgame handshake decision with New England Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye.
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks cruised to a 29-13 victory over the underdog Patriots in Super Bowl 60. Darnold played mistake-free football, throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown to complete the remarkable career redemption story.
As football fans know, it’s standard for opposing quarterbacks to shake hands after a game. But in a viral video posted on X, Darnold is nowhere to be seen while Drake Maye looks for him:
Oh Boy: Sam Darnold is under heavy criticism from NFL fans for not shaking hands with Drake Maye on the field after the Super Bowl.
Maye waited patiently and even walked around the field looking for Darnold but he was nowhere to be found.
Just awful 💔pic.twitter.com/EXimJMVoyG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 9, 2026
Football fans questioned and criticized Darnold for failing to find Maye after the game:
“Winning a ring doesn’t buy you class. Leaving a 23 year old rookie searching for you on the field is pure cowardice. Darnold is still a bust at heart,” a fan said.
Winning a ring doesn’t buy you class. Leaving a 23 year old rookie searching for you on the field is pure cowardice. Darnold is still a bust at heart.
— Rareunfilteredthoughts (@rareAURA9) February 9, 2026
“There’s absolutely no excuse for this. Super Bowl or not. You find Maye. Period,” a user added.
There’s absolutely no excuse for this. Super Bowl or not. You find Maye. Period.
These comments are obviously from folks that have never put on a helmet and shoulder pads.
— The Hit Man (@TheHitMan1776) February 9, 2026
“That’s a rough look for Darnold. On the field, sportsmanship is as much about respect as skill, and leaving a fellow competitor hanging, especially after a high-stakes game, doesn’t sit well with fans. Small gestures like a handshake can carry huge symbolic weight,” wrote another.
That’s a rough look for Darnold. On the field, sportsmanship is as much about respect as skill, and leaving a fellow competitor hanging, especially after a high-stakes game, doesn’t sit well with fans. Small gestures like a handshake can carry huge symbolic weight.
— Debright (@TOHEEBADEWALE14) February 9, 2026
“It’s ok, he couldn’t find anyone he was looking for all night,” a fan stated.
It’s ok, he couldn’t find anyone he was looking for all night
— Will Riedler (@riedlerwill1) February 9, 2026
“Out there looking for ghosts,” joked a user.
Out there looking for ghosts.
— Levy (@GordonLevi80514) February 9, 2026
“This is how he looked when he dropped back to pass,” another wrote.
This is how he looked when he dropped back to pass.
— Mannykind (@TheMannykind) February 9, 2026
But as other fans pointed out, Darnold was likely busy being swarmed by reporters and his teammates. Of course, Patriots legend Tom Brady had a bad habit of skipping postgame handshakes with opposing QBs after losing.
Sam Darnold Completes The Ultimate Feel-Good NFL Story
The Minnesota Vikings made the brutal mistake of letting Darnold walk to free agency last season, even though he led them to a 14-3 record. Fast forward a year, and it sounds like they may bring back Kirk Cousins to challenge JJ McCarthy for the QB1 job.
Darnold still had a chip on his shoulder after leaving Minnesota. He signed a three-year deal with Seattle in free agency, while the Vikings rolled with McCarthy. Fans continued to question Darnold all year, but he finally silenced them on Sunday.
Once written off as an all-time draft bust, Darnold is now a Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowler. Let him be another reminder that it’s never too late for a QB to save his career, no matter how poorly it started.
