Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his “long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football,” Sam Farmer has covered the NFL for 25 seasons. He’s a two-time winner of California Sportswriter of the Year and first place for beat writing by Associated Press Sports Editors, and has had unique assignments such as climbing Mount Rainier with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, traveling with an officiating crew, spending a week behind the scenes with Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks, sitting in the “Monday Night Football” booth, piloting the Goodyear blimp and watching games on Sunday alongside John Madden. Farmer, a 1988 graduate of Occidental College, began his career at small papers in the Pacific Northwest before moving on to the San Jose Mercury News, where he was an Oakland Raiders beat writer for five seasons. At various times, he has also been a beat writer covering the NBA, PGA Tour, and college football and basketball.
Latest From This Author
Sam Darnold (Vikings), Derek Carr (Saints) and Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) have reignited their careers with new coaches in new places. How did that happen?
Sept. 20, 2024
If the Chargers can beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles would be undefeated when it plays host to the two-time defending champion Chiefs next week.
Sept. 19, 2024
When John Madden retired from TV, he created a viewing station in California for family and friends. After his passing, that hallowed NFL setting lives on.
Sept. 16, 2024
After recording an 11-5 record picking winners and against the spread in Week 1, Sam Farmer analyzes Week 2, including six matchups of unbeaten NFL teams.
Sept. 12, 2024
What does it say about the Rams that the Detroit Lions were disappointed with how they played despite winning in overtime with a dominant opening drive?
Sept. 9, 2024
A last-gasp drive by the Ravens falls short when Isaiah Likely’s toe comes down out of bounds on a would-be touchdown catch in the Chiefs’ 27-20 win.
Sept. 5, 2024
Sam Farmer makes his picks for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, with super matchups on Thursday (Ravens-Chiefs) and Friday (Eagles-Packers) to kick off season.
Sept. 5, 2024
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce helped with the growth of Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City with Ignition Lab that allows kids to work on transforming cars.
Sept. 5, 2024
Chargers returner Derius Davis, who made second team All-Pro as an NFL rookie, believes the new kickoff rule makes him more dangerous to opponents.
Sept. 3, 2024
The NFL is implementing new rules for this season, including the kickoff and tackling adjustments, meaning more laborious issues for the officiating crews.
Sept. 2, 2024