Forgotten football player Christian Ponder is married to stunning American sportscaster who presents NFL on ESPN

CHRISTIAN PONDER failed to live up to his first round draft status in the NFL.

The quarterback played just five years at the top level.

4

4

And perhaps the best thing to happen during his NFL career was finding his wife.

Ponder, 34, married an ESPN reporter called Samantha Steele in 2012.

Sam Ponder, 36, has gone on to become one of the faces of NFL coverage on ESPN.

She hosts the Sunday NFL Countdown show on the network and has worked as a sideline reporter.

Read More on the NFL

Christian and Sam began dating when the NFL player sent her a message on Twitter.

The couple decided to marry after just a few months.

And on their wedding night, they celebrated with a meal at Arby's.

They had a proper wedding ceremony the following year.

Most read in Sport

The couple now have three children together and live in Phoenix, Arizona.

Christian played for the Minnesota Vikings for four seasons.

And he also had spells at Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.

Read More on The US Sun

Ponder retired from NFL having played just 38 games in his career.

He may not have hit the heights on the field, but the former quarterback is in good shape off it.

4

4