Sam Darnold posing with his retired jersey alongside Head Coach Jaime Ortiz at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente. (Photo by Don August) 
Sam Darnold speaking at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente. (Photo by Don August) 
Sam Darnold signing some Seattle Seahawks gear at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente. (Photo by Don August) 
Head Coach Jaime Ortiz alongside Sam Darnold at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente. (Photo by Don August)
Quick look: San Clemente High School honored alumnus Sam Darnold by retiring his high school jersey and inducting him into the school’s Hall of Fame.
A Super Bowl ring in February, a wedding ring in April and now a place in his high school’s Hall of Fame? Not a bad year for San Clemente High School alumnus Sam Darnold.
On Friday, July 10, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback returned to San Clemente for the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course where he was honored with a jersey retirement ceremony, cementing his legacy as a Triton. Among those in attendance was Head Coach Jaime Ortiz, who coached Darnold during his time at San Clemente High School.
“Sam Darnold stands among the most accomplished student-athletes in San Clemente High School history,” said Coach Ortiz in an official statement from the school. “A distinguished two-sport athlete, he earned League MVP honors in both football and basketball while leading the Tritons to league championships in each sport. His exceptional achievements also earned him recognition as All-CIF Offensive Player of the Year, All-County, and Orange County Register Athlete of the Year.”
While fans may know Darnold for wearing No. 14 at the University of Southern California and during his NFL career, the jersey retired by San Clemente High School was No. 18 — the number he wore as a Triton before beginning his collegiate and professional career.
As a senior, Darnold led the Tritons to a CIF championship game appearance while throwing for 2,985 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also rushed for 800 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Despite all the accolades achieved in high school, Darnold’s path to and throughout the NFL has been marked by resilience — beginning with his decision to join a crowded quarterback room at USC. After starting his redshirt freshman season as the backup, it wasn’t until week four that he was promoted as the starter and able to showcase his talents at the collegiate level.
From that point on, he never looked back.
His successful career at USC lead him to being selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets at just 20 years old, making him one of the youngest players drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft class. Unfortunately, his tenure in New York was marred by organizational instability and inconsistent play.
A brief stint on the Carolina Panthers followed by a backup role on the San Francisco 49ers helped shape a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, where he passed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Darnold would parlay that performance for another starting role with the Seattle Seahawks, where he eventually lead the team to its second Super Bowl in franchise history with a victory over the New England Patriots and fellow OC native Jaylinn Hawkins in Super Bowl LX.
Whether Darnold will end up having his NFL jersey retired remains to be seen, but until then, No. 18 will forever belong to him at San Clemente High School.