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Seahawks News: Sam Darnold Credits Jerry Rice Quote for Super Bowl Victory

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Seahawks News: Sam Darnold Credits Jerry Rice Quote for Super Bowl Victory
Jerry Rice and Sam Darnold (Photo by Imagn Images)

Winning a Super Bowl requires preparation, resilience, and belief. For Sam Darnold, that belief came from an unlikely but legendary source: Jerry Rice.

After leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl 60 victory, Darnold revealed that a powerful quote from Rice shaped his mindset throughout the postseason and especially on football’s biggest stage.

The Jerry Rice Quote That Inspired Sam Darnold

Following the Seahawks’ Super Bowl triumph, Darnold shared that he leaned on one of Jerry Rice’s most famous principles about preparation and excellence.

Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, is known for emphasizing discipline, a relentless work ethic, and preparation under pressure.

“Jerry Rice had a quote that he never had a perfect practice or a perfect game,” Darnold stated in a recent interview. “After my first few years in the NFL, it was like, it’s not always gonna be perfect, and it’s about how you can move on from mistakes to continue to better the team and better yourself.”

Sam Darnold’s stat line – 202 passing yards, one touchdown, a 50% completion rate, and a 74.7 passer rating won’t rank among the most dominant quarterback performances in Super Bowl history. However, the numbers don’t fully capture the significance of his outing.

On the biggest stage of his career, Darnold avoided the costly mistakes that had plagued him earlier in the season. That discipline was especially meaningful, given that he threw 14 interceptions during the regular season, the third-highest total among NFL quarterbacks. When it mattered most, he protected the football and delivered exactly what his team needed to win.

From Career Uncertainty to Super Bowl Champion

Darnold’s journey to this moment was not linear.

After early-career inconsistency and team changes, many questioned whether he would ever lead a championship roster. However, in Seattle’s system, he found stability and confidence.

Why Jerry Rice’s Influence Still Matters

Jerry Rice’s legacy extends beyond records and accolades.

  • Three Super Bowl titles
  • 1,549 career receptions
  • 22,895 receiving yards
  • 208 total touchdowns

Rice consistently preached the importance of preparation as the foundation of greatness.

Conclusion

Sam Darnold’s acknowledgment of Jerry Rice’s quote after the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory underscores a timeless truth: greatness begins with preparation.

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