After winning Super Bowl LX on Sunday night, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said he hopes the team's journey to victory inspires others to believe in themselves.
"You know, we're all going through our different challenges," Darnold told ABC News' Whit Johnson in an interview Monday at Disneyland Resort, where he and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III celebrated their team's win. "I think if anything, it just shows people that as long as you believe in yourself, anything's possible."
Darnold and Walker helped lead the Seahawks on Sunday night to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Darnold took home his first Super Bowl victory after passing for 202 yards and one touchdown, according to ESPN.
He made NFL history as the first quarterback to win the Super Bowl after playing for five different teams. Darnold was drafted into the NFL in 2018, and went on to play for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings before joining the Seahawks last year.
"Going to a new team every year sometimes can be a lot -- just to be able to meet new teammates and gain their trust, I think, is the biggest thing," Darnold said. "But it was so easy with this group. It's such a special group of guys that I wish could go forever … it's so special to just be part of this group."
Walker earned the Super Bowl MVP title by rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries against the Patriots on Sunday, becoming the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP in over 20 years, according to ESPN.
Walker said seeing his name among the "greats" of the sport helped reality sink in.
"Honestly, when it hit me is when they showed me the running backs that were the MVP [previously]," Walker told Johnson. "So, it meant a lot to me to be able to be on that list with those guys and, you know, the greats. It's a blessing to be able to be in that position."
Walker delivered his Super Bowl MVP performance in front of a special guest at Levi's Stadium, his dad, who watched his son play an NFL game in person for the first time.
"He just doesn't like being in crowds, so he'd rather watch from the TV so he can see everything and all that," Walker said of his dad. "But, you know, this was a big game, so, he end up coming out, and, you know, thankfully, we got the win. And, you know, it means a lot, and it's a blessing for him to be there and we won that one."
Describing the way his dad has supported his football career, Walker added, "He inspired me a lot, you know, just growing up, as much as my dad sacrificed for me and my siblings, as well as my mom. You know, it means a lot to me. I'm gonna do everything I can to give back to them."
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