Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Sam Howell is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born Samuel Duke Howell on September 16, 2000, in Waynesville, North Carolina, he grew up in a sports-oriented family that significantly influenced his development as a professional athlete.
Best known for his college football career at the University of North Carolina and his time with the Washington Commanders, Howell joined the Dallas Cowboys in March 2026 and earned the backup quarterback position behind Dak Prescott.
Beyond football, Sam Howell’s family includes his parents, Duke and Amy Howell, his older sister Anna, and his younger brother Will. He has also been publicly linked to Chloe Barbu, who supported him throughout several stages of his football career.
Here is everything publicly known about Sam Howell’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and Korean ancestry.
Sam Howell’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Chloe Barbu?
Sam Howell has been in a publicly reported relationship with Chloe Barbu, a University of North Carolina graduate. The couple attracted attention during Howell’s college football career and continued to appear in reports about his personal life after he entered the NFL.
Their relationship became public in 2022, following Howell’s selection by the Washington Commanders in the NFL Draft. He shared a social media tribute acknowledging Barbu’s support during his journey to professional football.
In August 2025, Barbu reportedly shared Instagram Stories celebrating Howell’s move to the Philadelphia Eagles, suggesting that their relationship remained active at that time.
As of now, however, there has been no independently verified public update confirming whether Howell and Barbu are still together. Neither a breakup nor an engagement should be assumed without reliable confirmation.
Who Is Chloe Barbu?
Chloe Barbu is a North Carolina native who attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the same institution where Howell played college football.
Barbu studied business administration and graduated in 2023. Before college, she participated in volleyball, including beach volleyball competitions.
She is also known as the younger sister of Natalie Barbu, a digital content creator and entrepreneur who gained recognition through YouTube.
Although Howell and Barbu have appeared in public social media posts, they have generally kept the details of their relationship relatively private.
Sam Howell’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Sam Howell has no publicly confirmed children.
There have been no reliable announcements indicating that the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has welcomed a son or daughter.
While Howell has occasionally shared glimpses of his personal life, he has largely focused his public appearances and interviews on football, his family background, and his professional development.
Consequently, reports claiming that Howell has children should not be treated as factual without confirmation from credible sources.
Sam Howell’s Parents: Meet Duke and Amy Howell
Sam Howell was born to Duke Howell and Amy Howell. Both parents have athletic backgrounds and played important roles in introducing their children to sports.
Howell grew up in North Carolina in an environment that emphasized discipline, education, athletic development, and family support.
Sam Howell’s Father: Duke Howell
Duke Howell is Sam Howell’s father and a longtime American football coach.
He played a particularly important role in developing his son’s football abilities, coaching Sam throughout his childhood and eventually serving as his offensive coordinator at Sun Valley High School in Monroe, North Carolina.
Before becoming a football coach, Duke was a college wrestler at Appalachian State University. He also worked as a probation officer and took additional jobs to help finance his children’s sports activities.
In interviews, Sam has described his father as one of his greatest inspirations, highlighting the sacrifices Duke made to support his athletic ambitions.
Duke went on to become the head football coach at Cuthbertson High School in North Carolina in 2023.
In June 2026, he was named the head football coach at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, further extending his coaching career.
Sam has credited his father’s coaching experience with helping him understand football from both a player’s and a coach’s perspective.
Sam Howell’s Mother: Amy Howell
Amy Howell is Sam Howell’s mother and another important figure in his upbringing.
Like Duke, Amy has a background in athletics. She played volleyball at Appalachian State University, where she met her future husband.
During Sam’s high school years, Amy worked in the front office at Sun Valley High School. She was also involved in educational administration in Union County, North Carolina.
Her connections within the local education community helped introduce Sam to quarterback trainer Anthony Boone, a former Duke University football player.
Boone subsequently worked with Howell during his development as a young quarterback.
Amy has frequently supported her son throughout his football journey, including during his successful college career at North Carolina.
Although Duke and Amy separated after Sam began attending college and later divorced, both parents continued to play meaningful roles in his life.
Sam Howell’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Sam Howell has two publicly identified siblings: an older sister named Anna Howell and a younger brother named Will Howell.
The three siblings grew up in North Carolina, where sports and family activities were important parts of their childhood.
1. Anna Howell – Sam Howell’s Older Sister
Anna Howell is Sam Howell’s older sister and the eldest of the three Howell children.
Although her younger brother has become a recognizable NFL player, Anna has generally maintained a relatively private life.
She grew up alongside Sam and Will in their North Carolina family home and was part of the supportive environment that helped shape Sam’s childhood.
As of now, reliable public information about Anna’s profession, marital status, and other personal details remains limited.
2. Will Howell – Sam Howell’s Younger Brother
Will Howell is Sam Howell’s younger brother and the youngest child of Duke and Amy Howell.
Like his older brother, Will grew up in an environment strongly connected to athletics, particularly football.
The Howell siblings received encouragement from their parents to participate in sports and develop their abilities.
However, Will has maintained a relatively low public profile compared with Sam, and there is limited independently verified information about his education, career, or personal relationships.
Sam Howell’s Korean Heritage and Grandparents
One of the most interesting aspects of Sam Howell’s family background is his Korean ancestry through his paternal grandmother.
His paternal grandfather, Bruce Howell, was an American serviceman who met his grandmother, Han Howell, while stationed in South Korea.
The couple eventually settled in North Carolina, where they raised their family.
Following Bruce’s death, Han continued raising her children and later became an important figure in the lives of her grandchildren.
Sam developed a particularly close relationship with his grandmother, who regularly attended his football games during high school and college.
Han Howell died in 2022, a loss that deeply affected the quarterback.
In March 2023, Howell spoke publicly about his Korean heritage in an interview published by the Washington Commanders. He explained that his grandmother had helped connect him to Korean culture and family traditions.
To celebrate his ancestry, Howell has worn a South Korean flag decal on his NFL helmet as part of the league’s international heritage initiative.
He has also expressed an interest in visiting South Korea to learn more about his family’s history.
How Sam Howell’s Family Influenced His NFL Career
Sam Howell’s development into an NFL quarterback was shaped by years of family encouragement and personal dedication.
His father coached him from an early age, teaching him offensive strategies and helping him understand the responsibilities of playing quarterback.
Meanwhile, his mother provided consistent support and helped connect him with opportunities for specialized training.
At Sun Valley High School, Howell became one of North Carolina’s most accomplished young quarterbacks, finishing his high school career with more than 13,000 passing yards.
He subsequently joined the University of North Carolina, where he played from 2019 to 2021 and set multiple school passing records.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Howell was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick.
After spending time with Washington, Seattle, Minnesota, and Philadelphia, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2026.
His move to Dallas was particularly meaningful because his father had supported the Cowboys, and Howell himself grew up watching the franchise.
In September 2026, Dallas officially selected Howell as its backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott.
Throughout his professional career, he has continued crediting his family, especially his father, for helping him develop the dedication and football knowledge needed to compete in the NFL.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Howell’s Family
Who is Sam Howell’s girlfriend?
Sam Howell has been publicly linked to Chloe Barbu, a University of North Carolina graduate. Reports indicated that they were together in 2025, but their relationship status has not been independently confirmed as of now.
Is Sam Howell married?
As of now, Sam Howell has not publicly confirmed being married. There is no reliable public announcement of a wedding.
Does Sam Howell have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Sam Howell as of now.
Who are Sam Howell’s parents?
Sam Howell’s parents are Duke Howell, an American football coach, and Amy Howell, a former college volleyball player who also worked in education.
How many siblings does Sam Howell have?
Sam Howell has two publicly identified siblings: an older sister named Anna Howell and a younger brother named Will Howell.
Is Sam Howell Korean?
Sam Howell is American with Korean ancestry through his paternal grandmother, Han Howell, who was from South Korea.
What does Sam Howell’s father do?
Sam Howell’s father, Duke Howell, is a football coach who became the head coach at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June 2026.
Are Sam Howell’s parents still married?
No. According to published reporting, Duke and Amy Howell separated after Sam began college and subsequently divorced.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
