All About Sam Hartman's Parents, Mark and Lisa Hartman

Sam Hartman’s football career wouldn’t be the same without the support of his parents, Lisa and Mark Hartman.

The Hartmans have three children, with Sam being the youngest. Sam's football journey began at Davidson Day School, where he quickly made a name for himself as the team captain. After a successful stint with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2018 to 2022, he transitioned to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2023 before signing with the Washington Commanders for the 2024 NFL season. Throughout this journey, his parents have been his main supporters.

Sam's mother, Lisa, has stood by her son through the best moments of his football career and the toughest times, including multiple injuries and medical emergencies.

Reflecting on their bond, Sam shared with ESPN, “She's been the one who's there when I was in the hospital when I was 17, when I'm in the hospital again when I'm 23. Those are tough moments where you're seeing your mom sleep on either a chair sitting upright, or sleeping on a small couch. I'm important to her, and I felt that the whole time."

Sam’s father is a former college football player turned surgeon. Despite his demanding career, he takes great pride in his son’s achievements and the father-son duo even share an alma mater in the Davidson School. Speaking with the Charlotte Observer in 2018, Mark said of his son, “He’s been very blessed to be in the right place at the right time with really good people.” He continued, “I will say that every time he’s been in that position, he’s fought hard and set himself up for success.”

From careers and family, to their unyielding support for their son, here’s everything to know about Sam Hartman’s parents, Mark and Lisa Hartman.

The couple live in North Carolina

Mark and Lisa have roots deeply embedded in North Carolina, where they raised their three children and nurtured Sam’s early football aspirations.

The family has been based in Charlotte for years, but recently moved to Mt. Pleasant, S.C., for Mark’s job as a spinal surgeon.

They have three kids

The couple share three sons together, Sam being their youngest born on July 29, 1999. Their middle son Joe was born on Jan. 17, 1994, and is pursuing a career in medicine at the University of Florida.

The Hartmans also welcomed Demitri Allison into their family when he was 15 years old. Demitri, who moved in with the family and played football at Elon University, was very close to Sam, becoming a brother to him. Demitri, who was born on July 4, 1995, died by suicide in 2015, a loss that deeply affected Sam. To honor his memory, Sam wears his initials "D.A." on his wristband and dons the No. 10 jersey, which was Demitri’s number.

Sam opened up about Demitri’s loss in a post on Faith Driven Athlete, writing, "He may have had a different last name than me, and we may not have shared a bloodline, but he was a brother in every sense of the word. And when you love someone like you love a brother, it hurts just as much not having him here anymore."

The Hartmans raised their children in a strict environment

Mark and Lisa were known for their strict parenting style, ensuring their boys grew up with a clear understanding of discipline and resilience. As Lisa told ESPN, they "didn't do a lot of coddling." This approach included distinguishing between being hurt and being injured, teaching their sons to push through minor pains while being supportive in critical moments.

For instance, before Sam's junior year of high school, he required emergency surgery to remove a large abscess on his esophagus, and he lost over 20 pounds during his recovery. Despite the tough love, their support was unwavering. Sam acknowledged his mother's role in his journey to ESPN, stating, "She's why I'm here.”

They have both worked in the medical field

The duo both have strong backgrounds in the medical field. After nearly three decades of practicing orthopedic spine surgery in Charlotte, Mark transitioned to Charleston, joining the Southeastern Spine Institute, where he focuses on minimally invasive techniques, particularly in cervical surgery.

Lisa, a retired nurse, has been a constant support in her husband and children’s professional and personal lives. The couple recently moved to Mt. Pleasant, where Mark, who has also been coaching high school football for 20 years, plans to continue his coaching endeavors.

Lisa will go to any length to help her children

Lisa’s dedication to her sons is evident in the lengths she has gone to support them.

"My boys, they're my life," Lisa said to ESPN. "I would do anything for ’em." This devotion was particularly evident when Sam needed surgery in August 2022 after being diagnosed with Paget-Schroetter syndrome, which required the removal of a rib. Wanting to keep the rib as a memento, Sam asked his mom to craft a necklace from it.

Despite the unusual request, Lisa embraced the challenge, even joking with her son about her search history. "Look, on my computer history, I'm searching human bones and how to preserve them, so if something happens, you've gotta be my alibi, like, I'm not trying to get rid of your dad or something,” she said.

Lisa is a mental health advocate

Lisa is a strong advocate for mental health, emphasizing its importance to her children. In a 2021 interview with ESPN, she noted how she always encouraged them to understand the value of mental well-being and the benefits of therapy.

Despite Sam initially dismissing the advice, preferring to handle his struggles alone, she persisted in promoting mental health awareness. "He turns the page and moves on," Lisa said of her son, concerned about where those unaddressed emotions went.

"And I would think, 'Where is that page? Where did it go and when is it going to come back?' But that was the way he did it,” she continued. Her advocacy was crucial, especially during challenging times, given the family’s loss of their son and brother Demitri.

Both parents have been extremely supportive of Sam’s career

The Hartmans have consistently shown unconditional support for their son Sam's football career. Rarely missing a game, they have been present through all the highs and lows, providing both emotional and practical support.

From his early days at Davidson Day School to his collegiate years at Wake Forest, and now with the Washington Commanders, the Hartmans' dedication to their son and his career remains strong.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.