Sampson first played college football for the Albany State Golden Rams of Albany State University.[4] He later transferred to play for the Florida A&M Rattlers of Florida A&M University from 1996 to 1997.[4] As a junior in 1996, he set school records in completions with 172, passing attempts with 307, passing yards with 2,814, and passing touchdowns with 21.[5] Sampson broke his own records the next year by completing 215 of 379 passes for 3,292 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning Division I-AA first-team All-American, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-MEAC honors.[6][7][8] Sampson threw for 469 yards and four touchdowns in the 52–37 loss to Georgia Southern in the first round of the 1997 Division I-AA playoffs.[7] He was inducted into Florida A&M's athletics hall of fame in 2006.[9]
Professional career
Sampson went undrafted in the 1998 NFL draft. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on January 22, 1999.[10] He dressed in all 18 games for the Stampeders during the 1999 season but only attempted two passes.[1] He dressed in the first game of the 2000 season before being released on July 13, 2000.[1][10]
Sampson was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL on July 27, 2000.[10] He dressed in eight games, starting one, for the Argonauts in 2000, completing 19 of 35 passes (54.3%) for 157 yards and two interceptions while also rushing seven times for 43 yards.[11][1] Sampson then played in eight games for the San Francisco Demons of the XFL in 2001, recording one rushing attempt for five yards.[1] He returned to the Argonauts after the XFL season, and was released on June 30, 2001.[10]
Sampson signed with the CFL's Ottawa Renegades on April 8, 2002.[10] He dressed in all 18 games, starting one, for the Renegades in 2002, recording 43 completions on 72 passing attempts (59.7%) for 426 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.[1] He was released on February 20, 2003.[10]