Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has honored his Korean heritage this season after the NFL allowed players to wear decals showcasing their heritage in October. The initiative sought to “represent the ever-growing pool of various nationalities and cultures that make up the league.”
In total, the NFL said 330 players were part of the initiative, and dozens of countries are being represented.
“As we continue to prioritize the NFL’s growth globally, we’re proud to have our players and coaches honor their backgrounds through the NFL Heritage Program,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, International and Events. “This initiative allows us to celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the fabric of the league, and truly showcases the growing global reach and impact of the sport of football and the NFL.”
Participants can choose to wear the flag of an international country or territory where relatives have been born or where they’ve lived for over two years. Players wear the flag decals alongside the American flag and are able to represent their backgrounds throughout the season.
Two players, including Sam Howell, have proudly displayed the South Korean flag.
Is Sam Howell Korean?
Howell is a quarter Korean, as one of his grandmothers is Korean. His American grandfather met his Korean grandmother while stationed in Korea in 1960 after the Korean War.
His grandparents later settled in North Carolina. Sam was born to Duke and Amy Howell on Sept. 16, 2000. He grew up in Monroe, NC, and went to Sun Valley High School. Duke was a football coach and Sam’s offensive coordinator in high school.
Sam opened up about his relationship with his grandmother, Han Howell, in a feature by the Commanders last spring. Han attended nearly all of her grandson’s high school games and she continued to watch his games throughout his collegiate career.
In August of 2022, Han would watch the Commanders’ preseason games in Seoul, South Korea, up at an ungodly hour.
“For the preseason games, she was actually in Korea visiting, which was the last time she was over there,” Sam Howell said. “Obviously the time change is big, and she would tell me that she would stay up all through the night to watch me play.”
Han passed away in November 2022. Sam reflected on his relationship with her and his Asian heritage.
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“She would always host family and just loved bringing people together, and there were definitely always some Korean dishes there,” Sam said. “She watched all of my games all throughout high school, through college. She went to almost every game in high school.”
While Han was unable to witness her grandson’s first NFL start in the following January against the Dallas Cowboys, Sam will carry her support with him.
“Our relationship was awesome. She meant the world to me — still means the world to me,” Howell said. “It was just so great to have someone like her in my life.”
Howell has found success in the NFL, as he is now the starting quarterback for the Commanders. This season, he has completed 66.7% of his passes for 3,039 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The Commanders currently sit at 4-7 and will take on the 7-3 Cowboys on Thanksgiving.