The NFL allowed players to wear decals showcasing their heritage in October, an initiative that sought to “represent the ever-growing pool of various nationalities and cultures that make up the league.”
In all, the NFL said 330 players were part of the initiative, with dozens of countries represented.
NFL executive vice president of club business, international and events Peter O’Reilly said in a release that the initiative would “celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the fabric of the League” and showcase the growing reach of the sport.
Some players’ helmet decals caught fans by surprise, including two quarterbacks who proudly displayed the South Korean flag.
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Here’s what you need to know about Commanders QB Sam Howell’s South Korean heritage.
Is Sam Howell Korean?
Howell is a quarter Korean, as one of his grandmothers is Korean. Howell’s grandparents met while his American grandfather was stationed in Korea after the Korean War, and the former North Carolina QB has embraced his heritage.
Howell’s grandparents, Han and Bruce, ultimately moved to North Carolina, but Bruce died while their two children were still young.
Han attended nearly all of her grandson’s high school games, Howell said in a feature posted on the Commanders website, and she continued to watch his games throughout his collegiate career.
Han died in November 2022, when Howell was serving as a backup during his rookie season in Washington, but the quarterback said her passing made him even more interested in his heritage.
“I’m super curious about my Korean heritage, and I think I’m even more curious now that my grandma is gone, because she was the big thing I had connecting me to that, and I always had her to tell me about it,” Howell told Commanders reporter Hannah Lichtenstein. “I’m very proud of my background and where I come from, and I just think it’s an awesome part of me that I want people to know about.”
Howell even signed an endorsement deal with Seoul Juice, a Korean juice brand, during training camp earlier in 2023.
Commanders QB Sam Howell, who is part Korean, has signed with @seouljuice1, a Korean pear juice brand. The deal, which includes equity, was negotiated by @ThisisESM. pic.twitter.com/DARyqpmlf4
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 9, 2023
Unfortunately, Howell’s grandmother, Han, died in November 2022, during her grandson’s rookie season with the Commanders. Howell went on to make his first NFL start in Week 18 and earned the starting job in the preseason, making him the second active starting quarterback with Korean heritage alongside Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
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Sam Howell South Korea helmet flag
Howell has donned a South Korean flag on his Commanders helmet as the NFL has encouraged players to honor their heritage this season.
14 Commanders players are part of the NFL’s heritage initiative, representing countries across the world.
Howell isn’t the only player around the league representing South Korea. Murray has Korean heritage as well, while Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo were among players who have displayed a Korean flag decal.
Like Howell and Murray, Hamilton’s Korean heritage is a part of his background. Koo, on the other hand, was born in South Korea and moved to the U.S. as a child.
Where is Sam Howell from?
Howell has a diverse background, but his family stayed in North Carolina after his grandparents settled down. He was born in Waynesville, N.C. and attended Sun Valley High School in Monroe, N.C.
Howell was originally committed to play football at Florida State, but he opted to stay in-state and play at the University of North Carolina after the Tar Heels hired Mack Brown as their head coach.
The decision paid off, as Howell became a starter as a freshman and impressed with 38 touchdowns to just seven interceptions in 2019. Today, he’s North Carolina’s all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
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Sam Howell parents
Howell’s parents are Duke and Amy Howell. Duke is half-Korean, as Han was his mother and Bruce was his father.
Duke was his son’s offensive coordinator in high school, so he was closely involved with Sam’s development as a quarterback. Duke has continued to rise through the ranks over the last few years, as he was named head coach at Cuthbertson High School earlier this year and earned his first win on the day his son was formally named the Commanders’ starting quarterback.
Big day and night for the Howell family. Sam gets named as Washington’s starting QB earlier today and tonight Duke earns his first win as head coach. Congratulations to both! @CHS_CavsFB @langstonwertzjr @pepman704 pic.twitter.com/H1TVhhlgmB
— Tim Winters (@UCNCFootball) August 19, 2023
Howell also has a brother, Will, and a sister, Anna.