From Preemie to Super Bowl Champ: Derick Hall's Unlikely Journey

The Seattle Seahawks linebacker overcame a 1% chance of survival at birth to win his first Super Bowl title.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Derick Hall, a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, won his first Super Bowl championship on Sunday, February 8th. Hall was born four months premature and given only a 1% chance of survival by doctors. After a harrowing early life, Hall went on to become a standout player at Auburn University and was drafted by the Seahawks in 2023. In the Super Bowl, Hall's crucial strip sack helped seal the Seahawks' victory over the New England Patriots.

Why it matters

Hall's story is an inspirational one, highlighting the power of perseverance and the transformative impact that sports can have on a person's life. His journey from a preemie with a 1% chance of survival to Super Bowl champion is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up.

The details

When Derick Hall was born four months premature, doctors gave him only a 1% chance of survival. He weighed just 2 lbs., 9 oz. and had no heartbeat after birth. However, Hall miraculously began to improve within the first few weeks of his life. By three weeks old, he was taken off his ventilator and given feeding and oxygen tubes. Five months later, Hall went home with his mother, Stacey Gooden-Crandle. The challenges continued throughout Hall's childhood, as he spent several days a week doing speech therapy and physical therapy to rehab the delayed cognitive and motor skills that came as a result of his premature birth. Despite these obstacles, Hall fell in love with football and used it as a means of "escape." He became a standout defensive player at Gulfport High School in Mississippi before accepting a scholarship to play at Auburn University. In 2023, Hall was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks, where he has since excelled as one of the team's primary linebackers. In the Super Bowl, Hall's crucial strip sack of New England quarterback Drake Maye broke the game open and helped the Seahawks secure the victory.

  • Derick Hall was born four months premature.
  • Within the first few weeks of his life, Hall began to improve and was taken off his ventilator.
  • Five months after his birth, Hall went home with his mother.
  • Hall was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.
  • The Seahawks won Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.

The players

Derick Hall

A linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks who was born four months premature and given only a 1% chance of survival, but went on to become a Super Bowl champion.

Stacey Gooden-Crandle

Derick Hall's mother, who refused to sign a form that would have allowed the hospital to discontinue her son's life support when he was born.

Seattle Seahawks

The NFL team that drafted Derick Hall in 2023 and won Super Bowl LX with him as a key member of their defense.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone knows my story, what it took for me to get here, what it took for me just to be alive and have the chance. I'm very blessed - kudos to [my] mom. That was a special moment after the game. I feel like she's an unsung hero, an unsung warrior through this whole process. She always fought for me. She never gave up.”

— Derick Hall (BBC)

“Mom doesn't miss a game. From the time I started playing football at 4 to tonight, my mom has been at every single game.”

— Derick Hall (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Seahawks and their fans will celebrate their Super Bowl victory in the coming weeks, and Derick Hall will continue to be a key part of the team's defense as they look to defend their championship in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Derick Hall's journey from a preemie with a 1% chance of survival to Super Bowl champion is a truly inspiring story that highlights the power of perseverance, the transformative impact of sports, and the unwavering love and support of a mother. His story serves as a testament to the human spirit and a reminder that with determination and faith, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.