Derrick Hall’s Inspiring Journey to Super Bowl Glory

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derrick Hall made history during February’s Super Bowl against the New England Patriots with a pivotal strip sack. It’s a moment most athletes only dream of. Yet, Hall’s story is about so much more than just one game. He was born four months early, at 23 weeks, and faced a mere 1% chance of survival, making his entry into the world quite extraordinary. As he puts it, “I wasn’t born breathing; I was born dead.”

For his mother, Stacey Gooden-Crandle, the early days were filled with dread and uncertainty. “It was emotional, there was a lot of anxiety, it was scary,” she recalls. Yet, despite the turmoil, she held onto her faith, believing that everything would somehow work out.

“That’s probably the most important thing we share,” she emphasizes about their faith. Having joined the church at 16, she instilled that belief in her children, allowing their faith to flourish in their own paths.

Hall grew up in this environment, wrestling with questions about why he and his family faced such challenges. “It was huge; it was eye-opening because I just couldn’t understand why I or my family had to go through what I was going through,” he reflects.

His pastor’s words provided comfort, reminding him that being alive was a blessing: “You weren’t going to die for this…God has bigger things in store for you.” Hall, who views himself as a miracle child, expresses gratitude for his life: “I can’t complain, I’m blessed because I’m on this earth.”

However, the struggles didn’t just vanish after his early years. Hall’s childhood was unlike others, primarily due to health limitations. “From about age 4 to 12, it was tough,” Hall remembers. He could only play outside for short periods before needing breaks to recover. “My lungs are still underdeveloped and always will be,” he admits.

Yet, Hall discovered his love for football, a passion that felt normal amidst his struggles. “I started playing soccer at four because I wanted to develop my body. It was the first thing that made me feel like a normal kid,” he shares.

Initially, his mother hesitated to let him play tackle football, especially since he was still under a neurologist’s care. “It was a tough decision,” she admits. However, her concerns receded as Hall progressed and proved he could handle it.

Hall’s journey led to major achievements, including receiving his first college scholarship offer in the eighth grade. He became a standout at Gulfport High School in Mississippi before shining at Auburn University. “When I was in college, I had some health scares that made me anxious. One time, I could barely walk without gasping for air, but I was lucky to get to the hospital in time,” he recalls.

He wrapped up his college career with impressive stats: 147 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and 29.5 tackles for loss. Selected 37th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hall was prepared for the next chapter.

Yet, his 2025 season didn’t meet his expectations initially. Statistics were underwhelming, with only two sacks through 14 games. “I was hitting consistently… but the numbers didn’t show it,” he noted, grappling with frustration. Just when it seemed hopeless, everything changed.

In Super Bowl LX, Hall made his mark, recording two sacks and a forced fumble, including that crucial strip sack that set the tone for the Seahawks’ victory. “I went to the Super Bowl and got both sacks, and I thought, oh, there’s no time like God’s time,” he stated, feeling that the timing was all part of a grander plan.

After the game, Hall understood that his journey went beyond numbers. “You can’t say that a kid who has a 1% chance of living is going to become a Super Bowl champion one day without the Lord coming into his life,” he declared, recognizing the miraculous nature of his success.

Now, alongside Huggies and the “Natural Born Fighters” campaign, Hall aims to give back to the neonatal units, focusing on the care for premature babies. For Stacey, this partnership stirs fond memories. “Both my kids wore Huggies… Working with NICU nurses and doctors to develop better products for these babies is, to me, the best fight ever,” she expressed, proud to be supporting something so meaningful.