Samantha Ponder Married Twice & Nobody Noticed!

Is it a coincidence, or does ESPN has an awful lot of beautiful reporters at that line? This just can’t be a coincidence. Right? Just look at the likes of Suzy Kolber and Samantha Ponder.

These ladies are extremely beautiful, talented, and extremely professional in their craft.

Here’s everything that you’ll ever need to know about Ponder. Meet her husband and beautiful family.

Samantha Ponder Quick Facts

How Samantha Ponder Met Her Husband, Christian

Let’s start from the very beginning because the best way fans can grasp a better idea of Ponder’s life is by learning everything from the very beginning.

Most already know that she’s married, but how did she come about meeting her husband?

Well, as it happens, Mr. & Mrs. Ponder met each other while both were at work. Christian Ponder, Samantha’s husband, is a professional NFL player.

Around 2012, when Ponder began her career as a sports journalist, she met Christian. 

Ponder was at her first College Gameday show in 2012, and that was when she met Christian.

Christian was playing for Minnesota Vikings at that time, competing in a game against Jacksonville Jaguars.

That is when the couple met for the first time.

Read: Everything about Matt Gutman & His Wife Daphna Gutman

Samantha Ponder Married Christian Ponder

After meeting for the first time in 2012, while both in their career lines, Samantha (then Steele) and Christian began dating each other.

Before marrying Christian, Samantha had an Instagram account under her real name, Samantha Steele. Her Instagram user account, @samsteeleeespn, has since been deactivated.

After dating for about a year, Samantha and Christian got married on April 13, 2013.

There are tabloids that claim the Ponder couple married in 2012. That’s right as well.

The Liberty University graduate and former NFL quarterback were married in Phoenix, Arizona, in a barn. Yes, an actual barn.

Samantha wore an above-the-knee length frock-cum-wedding-dress with brown boots on. The couple organized a very unique and extremely fun wedding for their friends and family.

She and Ponder had food trucks, petting zoo, beer donkey, Karaoke, Chick-Fil-A, Ping Pong, and more at their wedding.

It was all about fun. But this was a second one for Samantha.

Samantha Ponder’s First Marriage

I bet you did not see this coming.

Samantha’s marriage to Christian that took place on April 13, 2013, is not a first one, but rather a second.

However, the good news is that her first marriage was with Christian himself.

On December 17, 2012, Christian and Samantha married each other for the first time at the St. Croix County Court, Hudson, Wisconsin.

This step earned Christian a lot of criticism because it was a very important time in his career. And many believed he should focus more on his career.

But, Christian swiftly stated that his marriage with Samantha was a very big deal but never a distraction.

After marrying, Samantha opted for the last name “Ponder,” and her on-air name changed to Samantha Ponder instead of her previous name, Samantha Steele.

Samantha also had a big wedding ceremony planned, but that was to happen during the off-seasons. And it did, in April of 2013.

Read: Jackie DeAngelis From Fox Business Network Married Already?

Samantha and Christian Family, Children

Since marrying initially in 2012, and then again in 2013, Samantha and Christian began planning for a family.

In July of 2014, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, Bowden Sainte-Claire. Bowden is 11 years old today.

About three years later, Ponder gave birth to a son and named him Robinson True. Robinson is 8 years old today.

Christian and Samantha welcomed their third child, another daughter, in July 2018, and named her Price. Price is 7 years old today.

The whole Ponder family currently splits their time between their Arizona and New York City homes.

Samantha Ponder Age, Bio, Height

The former basketball sideline reporter Samantha Ponder was born on December 11, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Samantha Ponder is 40 years old today and stands at the height of 5 feet 6 inches.

Samantha was born as Samantha Steele to father Jerry Steele, 67, and mother Cindi Steele, 65.

Ponder has three siblings, two brothers Jerrod Steele, Barron Steele, and one sister, Jamaica Lynn (née Steele) Taylor.

Samantha went to The King’s College and later transferred to Liberty University. She graduated in 2009.

Right after graduation, Samantha began working for Fox Sports Net and Fox College Sports as a sideline reporter.

Today, Samantha works as a host for Sunday NFL Countdown for ESPN.

Samantha Ponder Salary

So, Samantha has been actively working as a sports journalist in various positions for over a decade now.

Since starting out, Samantha has achieved a very prestigious position as a host for the ESPN network.

In early 2022, Samantha agreed to sign a contract with ESPN.

Samantha’s three-year contract as the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown” comes after a series of bumpy negotiations.

Finally, the network and Samantha agreed to a nearly $3 million deal over the span of three years.

Samantha Ponder FAQ

When was Samantha Ponder born?

Samantha Ponder was born on December 11, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona.

What is Samantha Ponder’s current professional status?

Samantha Ponder previously served as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown for ESPN until her departure in August 2024.

How many children does Samantha Ponder have?

Samantha Ponder has three children.

Bowden Sainte-Claire, born in July 2014.

Robinson True, born in June 2017.

Price Anne-Drew, born in July 2018.

Where does Samantha Ponder currently reside?

The Ponder family splits time between homes in Arizona and New York City.

What is Samantha Ponder’s Instagram handle?

Samantha Ponder’s current Instagram handle is @samanthaponder.

When did Samantha Ponder marry Christian Ponder?

Samantha and Christian Ponder first married on December 17, 2012, in Hudson, Wisconsin.

They followed with a ceremony on April 13, 2013, in Phoenix, Arizona.