Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder apparently went with a hurry-up offense.
The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports that after a whirlwind romance and brief engagement, Ponder and ESPN’s Samantha Steele were quietly married late Monday afternoon in St. Croix County Court in Hudson, according to court officials.
In his weekly news conference at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Ponder confirmed the report, saying he and his new bride picked Hudson because he didn’t want to attract a lot of attention.
“It was quick,” Ponder said. “But it was good.”
To read the transcript of Ponder’s question and answer session, via KFAN-FM 100.3, CLICK HERE.
Court Commissioner Stephen Dunlap performed the ceremony for Ponder, 24, and Steele, who turned 27 last week.
As for the timing of the wedding, Ponder said it was for “personal” reasons.
“It was important for us to get it done before the holidays,” he said.
As for Steele, she confirmed the wedding on her Twitter feed Wednesday morning, taking a shot those who have already commented on the event on social media:
https://twitter.com/Samantha_Steele/status/281419270783660032
Ponder confirmed the two were dating in October, and it leaked that they were engaged Dec. 4.
She broke her silence about the engagement with Sports Illustrated on Dec. 10.
The Vikings are in the hunt for a playoff spot. The team faces the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers in the last two weeks of the regular season. Ponder, however, says his new role as a newlywed will not be a distraction, calling the Houston game the “most important game of his life.”
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was also asked about the Hudson ceremony, telling the Pioneer Press he knew the wedding “was on the radar.”
Should Ponder have gotten married during the season? Early voters in a Star Tribune poll say its none of our business.
As for the Twitterverse, the jokes — and well-wishes — continue to pour in:
https://twitter.com/mantheybrewcrew/status/281417398148534273https://twitter.com/Broximar/status/281400182942343168
Christian Ponder married Samantha Steele Monday. I wonder if Adrian Peterson put him on his back and carried them over the threshold? #Vikes
— BigHeadBSđź’¨ (@BigHeadBS) December 19, 2012
https://twitter.com/GingerFritzie/status/281401228469092352
Christian Ponder's weekly news conference at about 11:40 a.m. today. Barbara Walters and Ryan Seacrest have been credentialed
— Pioneer Press (@VikingsNow) December 19, 2012
https://twitter.com/gkketch/status/281400787312201728https://twitter.com/pAuLiE_bRuZ/status/281400317059424256
Should be interesting today, Ponder is scheduled to meet the press today. Lots of unhappy reporters who didn't get a Facebook invite.
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) December 19, 2012
Update: Ultimate insult to Minnesota? Christian Ponder & Samantha Steele get married in Wisconsin http://t.co/ZFSB9o8m
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) December 19, 2012
