The Fairfax Girl Team 
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman has been announced as the star of Season 30 of The Bachelor. The reality dating series features 30 contestants vying for the heart of the star and is known for its weekly rose ceremonies (aka eliminations), extravagant dates, and drama-filled proposals and breakups. Sam has been a part of the Washington Commanders organization since 2024 and was a star player in college at Wake Forest. Sam will be the first star to come from outside the franchise. Read on for everything to know about Sam Hartman, the next Bachelor, and his connections to Northern Virginia.
Sam Hartman Is the Next Bachelor
On Friday, November 13th, ABC revealed that Sam Hartman will be handing out roses as the lead of Season 30 of The Bachelor. The announcement came during an appearance on Good Morning America, where the quarterback discussed his decision to join the reality dating franchise. According to The Associated Press, Sam initially turned down the opportunity to appear on the show. A conversation with host Jesse Palmer, who is also a former NFL quarterback and previously starred on The Bachelor, ultimately helped convince him to reconsider. Sam said that dating in front of a national television audience presents an entirely different challenge than playing football. “I have a tough time holding a conversation with one girl; 30 is gonna be pretty tough,” he said on Good Morning America.
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As for what he’s looking for in a partner, Sam told People that he values qualities like compassion, ambition, and competitiveness. “I think competitiveness […] and we’re not talking about the starting tight end or a receiver,” he revealed on Good Morning America. “I think competitiveness in somebody that I want to be able to chase. Not chase in a way that you haven’t texted me back in a week, but chase in a way that they have a drive for something, and that motivates me to wake up every day and chase them.”
Typically, Bachelors are picked from the pool of prior contestants on The Bachelorette. With this pick, ABC is introducing viewers to someone with an established career outside of the franchise. The show will return for its milestone 30th season on Sunday, March 21st, 2027, at 8PM ET on ABC, following a nearly two-year break. According to People, filming is expected to take place after the NFL season, allowing Sam to fulfill his football commitments before beginning his search for love.
His Northern Virginia Connection
Sam joined the Washington Commanders in 2024 after going undrafted in the NFL Draft. Since then, he has spent time on the team’s active roster and practice squad. The franchise operates out of its headquarters and training facility in Ashburn, Virginia, making Loudoun County an important part of his professional football career.
In August 2026, Sam was released during the team’s final roster cuts before being re-signed to the Commanders’ practice squad on August 31st. As of his Bachelor announcement, he remains associated with the team, although he has not yet appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
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Sam has spent time supporting local families through Ronald McDonald House, an organization that provides housing and resources for families with children receiving medical treatment. In October 2025, Sam joined fellow Commanders player Sheldon Day and team mascot Major Tuddy for a visit to Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia ahead of the team’s Crucial Catch game, an initiative focused on cancer awareness. During the visit, the players toured the facility, participated in crafts, and spent time with children undergoing cancer treatment and their families. The Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House is located at 3312 Gallows Road in Falls Church, on the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus. The 24-bedroom facility offers families a place to stay while their children receive medical care nearby.
Image credit: Ronald McDonald House
Sam returned to the organization in November 2025, making a surprise appearance during a volunteer dinner prepared by Strategic Wealth Designers. According to a post shared by Ronald McDonald House, the quarterback stopped by to spend time with parents and children, offering encouragement and helping brighten the evening. He also visited children and their families at the DC location of Ronald McDonald House. Sam wore a Santa hat and spent time making crafts with children and distributing toys.
More About Sam Hartman
Sam was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up there until his family moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, towards the end of his high school career. He played quarterback for Wake Forest University from 2018 through 2022, where he established himself as one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most accomplished passers. He later transferred to the University of Notre Dame for the 2023 season.
Throughout his college career, Sam threw for more than 15,000 yards and 130 touchdowns, developing a reputation for his leadership and ability to perform under pressure.
His career has also included significant health challenges. In 2022, he underwent surgery after being diagnosed with Paget-Schroetter syndrome, a condition that can cause blood clots in the veins of the upper body. He later received the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award, which recognizes courage and determination in overcoming adversity. Fun (?) fact: Sam has a piece of his rib that was removed during the surgery, and now wears it as part of a necklace.
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Sam is one of four Wake Forest alumni to appear in the Bachelor franchise, joining Tyler Cameron ’18, runner-up on Season 15 of The Bachelorette; Matt James ’15, star of Season 25 of The Bachelor; and Andi Dorfman, ‘L12, star of Season 10 of The Bachelorette after appearing on Season 18 of The Bachelor.
Interestingly, The Bachelor won’t be Sam’s first experience appearing on a reality television program. He previously appeared in the second season of QB1: Beyond the Lights, a documentary series following high school quarterbacks as they pursued their football careers. According to Decider, the series is available to stream on Tubi. Between his experience in front of cameras, his football career, and his growing social media following, Sam is entering The Bachelor with a somewhat different background than many of the show’s previous leads.
When to Watch The Bachelor Season 30
Sam Hartman’s season of The Bachelor is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 21st, 2027, at 8PM ET on ABC. Episodes are also expected to be available for streaming the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
According to Bachelor Nation, the upcoming season marks a milestone of the 30th season for the franchise, which first premiered in 2002. Additional details about the contestants, filming locations, and season format have not yet been announced.
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