Vikings QB Christian Ponder marries reporter Samantha Steele
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| Ponder is off the market. (US Presswire) |
As we discussed a couple of months ago, starting NFL quarterbacks occasionally date attractive women. That's no exception with Minnesota's Christian Ponder and ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele.
Two months after news of their relationship was discovered, the two have been married. On an off-day in the middle of December. At a courthouse in Hudson, Wisc. That has led to speculation about the timing of the nuptials.
Here's what the Minneapolis Star Tribune had to say on the matter.
"Certainly, the timing is peculiar. The marriage comes during a week in which the Vikings are facing a stiff road test in Houston, a game that will have huge ramifications on their playoff hopes. And Ponder himself continues to refer to this weekend's game as the biggest of the year and of his career. So he was asked Wednesday why he chose this week to legally complete his union with Steele.
" 'It was important for us to get it done before the holidays,' he said. ‘A lot of personal reasons that went in to it.'
"Ponder insisted that his marriage this week, a quick and easy legal procedure that went down without any family or friends, would not be a distraction.
" 'It hasn't deterred from what I did with my routine every Monday and Tuesday,' Ponder said. 'I was in here and got my film work in. And, obviously, it was a big deal. But it wasn't a distraction at all.' "
But that doesn't really answer why they had to get married right this very second. Luckily, the fans' speculation made its way to Steele, who took to Twitter to address the rumors (really, her tweets were the impetus for me writing this post in the first place).
Twitter is so tricky. Who knew that "she's pregnant" & "they'll be divorced soon" are just the 2012 version of "congrats"! Thx guys! :)
— Samantha Steele (@Samantha_Steele) December 19, 2012
All reports of a babybump are false and offensive. All reports of a foodbump are true and offensive :)
— Samantha Steele (@Samantha_Steele) December 19, 2012
Well played, Mrs. Steele-Ponder.
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