Samantha Ponder is an American Emmy award-winning sports journalist who is popularly known for anchoring the pre-game program “Sunday NFL Countdown” on ESPN.
Aside from her career as a journalist, Samantha is a wife and a loving mother of thee children. Continue reading as we explore the life, career, family, age and educational background of sports journalist Samantha Ponder.
Profile Summary
Full Name | Samantha Steele Ponder |
Age | 38 years old |
Birth Date | December 11, 1985 |
Birth Place | Phoenix, AZ |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Sports Journalist |
Parents | Father: Jerry Steele Mother: Cindy Steele |
Siblings | Jerrod Jefferson and Barron Steele. |
Relationship Status | Marrried |
Husband | Christian Andrew Ponder |
Children | Three |
Height | 5’6″ 1.68 m (approx) 168 cm (approx) |
Weight | 58 kg 128 lbs (approx) |
Net Worth | $10 Million |
Social links | Instagram X (formerly Twitter) |
Early Life and Background of Samantha Ponder
Samantha Steele Ponder was born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, on December 11, 1985. Samantha is currently 38 years old and her maiden name was Samantha Sainte-Claire Steele.
Talking about family, Samantha’s parents are Jerry and Cindy Steele. Also, her siblings her are Jerrod Jefferson and Barron Steele.
As of 2014, Samantha’s dad “Jerry Steele” was living in Bethlehem, Israel, and Jerusalem, where he served as the basketball coach of the Palestinian National team and an assistant football coach for the Jerusalem Kings in the Israeli Football League.
Educational Background
Samantha Ponder went to The King’s College in NYC, Arizona State University, and Liberty University.
While at Liberty, she hosted and reported on football and basketball games for the Mid Atlantic Sports Network.
In New York City, from ages 18 to 21, she interned at ABC Sports and ABC Sports Radio, assisting on the College Football Studio Show.
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Samantha graduated from Central High School, where she earned all-state honors in volleyball and tennis. She was quite active in sports, also participating in track, basketball, softball, and soccer.
Professional Career
Samantha Ponder started her career by interning at ABC Sports Radio and helping with research for ABC Television’s College Football Studio show in New York. During her college days at Liberty University, she was the sideline reporter and host for all football and basketball games.
Later, she worked at Fox Sports, hosting and reporting for college basketball and football events in the Pac 10 and Big 12 conferences. She also led studio shows for various events, including the Pac 10 Basketball Tournament and the “Paradise Jam” preseason tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
After joining ESPN in 2011, Samantha reported on college football, Longhorn Network events, and college basketball. She became a familiar face on College GameDay Built by The Home Depot from 2012 to 2016 and reported for ABC Saturday Night Football in 2016.
In March 2017, Samantha made history as the third person to host Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN’s Sunday morning NFL pregame show. She not only hosts but also contributes NFL interviews and features.
Samantha Ponder Husband and Children
Samantha Ponder is a married woman with three children. She tied the knot with American former professional football player and quarterback “Christian Andrew Ponder” in Hudson, Wisconsin, on December 17, 2012.
The couple are happy parents of three children whose names are Bowden Sainte-Claire “Scout” first daughter born in July 2014, first son and second child Robinson True, born in June 2017, and second daughter and third child Price Anne-Drew, born in July 2018.
Samantha Ponder Net Worth
As of the time of writing, Samantha Ponder net worth is estimated to be $10 million while her husband “Christian Ponder” net worth is estimated to be $12 million.