Darren Sproles
Encyclopedia
Darren Lee Sproles is an American football
running back
of the NFL who plays for the New Orleans Saints
. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers
in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Kansas State
.
He was named as kick returner for the San Diego Chargers 50 Greatest Chargers team.
, followed by Olathe North High School
, all in Olathe, Kansas
. He has been conquering a speech impediment he has had since childhood. Sproles was a star in football
, earning the name "Tank," after being born at 10 lb (4.5 kg). For two consecutive years, he was an All-Sunflower League honoree, All-Metro honoree, and an All-State selection. Additionally, he was twice named The Kansas City Star
Player of the Year. As a senior, he was named the Kansas Hall of Fame Player of the Year and the USA Today
Kansas Player of the Year. Throughout his high school career, Sproles rushed for 5,230 yards, averaging nearly 8.4 yards per carry and 79 touchdowns.
He was a High school All-American as selected by Student Sports Magazine. He was also the winner of Thomas A. Simone Trophy, given to the top big-class football player in Kansas City metro area. In 1999, he rushed for 2,031 yards in nine games as a junior. In his senior year of 2000, Sproles rushed for 2,485 yards, scoring 49 touchdowns. He led his Olathe North Eagles to a 12–0 record and their fourth Kansas 6A state title in five years.
at Kansas State University
from 2001 to 2004, starting
all games in his last two seasons and setting 23 school records. He finished 11th on the all-time college rushing yards list, with the 6th most all-purpose yards in NCAA
history. He led all FBS
teams in rushing yards in 2003 with 1,986. He also led Kansas State University to its first Big 12 Conference
championship in 2003
, a win over # 1 ranked Oklahoma, 35–7. That same year he finished 5th in the Heisman Trophy
voting. He graduated with a degree in speech pathology.
.
He spent the 2005 season
as the third string running back, behind LaDainian Tomlinson
and Michael Turner, returning kicks and punts. He then spent the entire 2006 season on injured reserve list after breaking his ankle during the preseason.
23-21 upset over the Indianapolis Colts
, Sproles made history by returning a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns—the first player in league history ever to do so. He returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for the game's first score. After Nate Kaeding
's field goal increased the Chargers' lead to 10-0, Sproles returned a Hunter Smith
punt 46 yards for another touchdown for a 16-0 lead. Sproles became the first NFL player to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game since Dante Hall
did so in 2003
.
On December 16, 2007, Sproles ran one yard for his first career rushing touchdown against the Detroit Lions
. This was followed by an 11 yard run for his second rushing touchdown, capping off his first 100+ yard rushing game.
with the Chicago Bears
). His stats for the game included: 53 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards, and 192 return yards. Sproles logged 317 all-purpose yards in a 39-38 loss to the Denver Broncos
. He also had a 103 yard touchdown return.
On January 3, 2009, during an AFC Wild card game against the Indianapolis Colts
, Sproles ran for two touchdowns in place of the injured LaDainian Tomlinson
, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Colts 23-17. With 105 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving and 178 return yards, Sproles finished the game with 328 all-purpose yards in the Chargers victory over the Colts, the third most all-purpose yards by a player in a single NFL post-season game in NFL history. He was named the NBC Sunday Night Football
"Horse Trailer Player of the Game" for the second consecutive week. The week following however, Sproles was stopped by the Pittsburgh Steelers
. He managed only 15 yards on 11 carries, but did have 5 receptions for 91 yards including a 62-yard touchdown.
on Sproles. He signed the tender on April 28, 2009, which is worth $6.621 million.
On March 4, 2010 it was reported that the Chargers will tender Sproles a contract, which will be worth approximately $7.3 million. Another team would have to give the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks if they signed Sproles.
. The contract included $6 million in guaranteed money. He returned a punt for a touchdown in an opening day loss against the Green Bay Packers
.
On October 24, 2011, Sproles gained 190 all purpose yards in a 62-7 Saints win over Indianapolis. Sproles broke over 1,000 all-purpose yards in only his seventh game as a Saint. He now has 1,115 all-purpose yards this season.
. Larry was 5 in 5 in (1.65 m)
His mother Annette died of cancer in April 2004.
Sproles married his longtime girlfriend, Michel Hunt, this past offseason. The couple have a daughter, Devyn.
Sproles is known by the nickname "Lightning Bug" due to his speed, agility, diminutive stature and the fact the Chargers uniform is adorned with lightning bolts.
At 5 in 6 in (1.68 m), 180 lb (81.6 kg) Sproles is no longer the smallest player in the NFL. Trindon Holliday
(selected in 2010 entry draft) stands at 5 in 5 in (1.65 m).
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
of the NFL who plays for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft
2005 NFL Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 23–24, 2005. The league also held an supplemental draft that year, which was held after...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
.
He was named as kick returner for the San Diego Chargers 50 Greatest Chargers team.
Early years
Sproles attended Rolling Ridge Elementary, then Oregon Trail Junior HighOregon Trail Junior High
Oregon Trail is one of the nine 6th-8th junior high schools in Olathe, Kansas. The school opened its doors in the August of 1976, and serves a diverse population...
, followed by Olathe North High School
Olathe North High School
Olathe North High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Olathe, Kansas, USA, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is one of four public high schools in the Olathe School District. The school colors are red and royal blue and the mascot is the Eagle...
, all in Olathe, Kansas
Olathe, Kansas
Olathe is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. Located in northeastern Kansas, it is also the fifth most populous city in the state, with a population of 125,872 at the 2010 census. As a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Olathe is the fourth-largest city in the...
. He has been conquering a speech impediment he has had since childhood. Sproles was a star in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, earning the name "Tank," after being born at 10 lb (4.5 kg). For two consecutive years, he was an All-Sunflower League honoree, All-Metro honoree, and an All-State selection. Additionally, he was twice named The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star is a McClatchy newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. Published since 1880, the paper is the recipient of eight Pulitzer Prizes...
Player of the Year. As a senior, he was named the Kansas Hall of Fame Player of the Year and the USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Kansas Player of the Year. Throughout his high school career, Sproles rushed for 5,230 yards, averaging nearly 8.4 yards per carry and 79 touchdowns.
He was a High school All-American as selected by Student Sports Magazine. He was also the winner of Thomas A. Simone Trophy, given to the top big-class football player in Kansas City metro area. In 1999, he rushed for 2,031 yards in nine games as a junior. In his senior year of 2000, Sproles rushed for 2,485 yards, scoring 49 touchdowns. He led his Olathe North Eagles to a 12–0 record and their fourth Kansas 6A state title in five years.
College career
Sproles played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas State University
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
from 2001 to 2004, starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
all games in his last two seasons and setting 23 school records. He finished 11th on the all-time college rushing yards list, with the 6th most all-purpose yards in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
history. He led all FBS
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
teams in rushing yards in 2003 with 1,986. He also led Kansas State University to its first Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
championship in 2003
2003 Big 12 Championship Game
The 2003 Big 12 Championship Game was played on December 6, 2003 in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The game determined the 2003 football champion of the Big 12 Conference. The Oklahoma Sooners, winners of the South division of the Big 12, were upset by the Kansas State Wildcats, who...
, a win over # 1 ranked Oklahoma, 35–7. That same year he finished 5th in the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting. He graduated with a degree in speech pathology.
Collegiate statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | YPA | TDs | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis... |
Kansas State 2001 Kansas State Wildcats football team The 2001 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2001. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 2001 saw the wildcats finish with a record of 6-6, and a 3-5 record in Big... |
6 | 28 | 210 | 7.5 | 1 | 38 |
| 2002 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season ended the season with what most consider an exciting double overtime national championship game. Ohio State and Miami both came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated. The underdog Buckeyes defeated the Hurricanes 31–24, ending Miami's 34 game winning... |
Kansas State 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team The 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2002. The team's head coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 2002 saw the wildcats finish with a record of 11-2, and a 6-2 record in Big 12... |
13 | 237 | 1,465 | 6.2 | 17 | 80 |
| 2003 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate.... |
Kansas State 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team The 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a... |
15 | 306 | 1,986 | 6.5 | 16 | 73 |
| 2004 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss... |
Kansas State 2004 Kansas State Wildcats football team The 2004 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium... |
11 | 244 | 1,318 | 5.4 | 11 | 74 |
| Career | 45 | 815 | 4,979 | 6.1 | 45 | 80 | |
San Diego Chargers
Sproles was drafted by the Chargers 130th overall in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft2005 NFL Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 23–24, 2005. The league also held an supplemental draft that year, which was held after...
.
He spent the 2005 season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
as the third string running back, behind LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
and Michael Turner, returning kicks and punts. He then spent the entire 2006 season on injured reserve list after breaking his ankle during the preseason.
2007
On November 11, 2007, in the Chargers'2007 San Diego Chargers season
The 2007 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to equal their 2006 regular season success and avoid another early departure in the playoffs. After a disappointing start under new head coach Norv Turner , they finished the regular season strong, with six straight wins, an overall...
23-21 upset over the Indianapolis Colts
2007 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2007 Indianapolis Colts season was the 55th season for the team in the National Football League and 24th in Indianapolis. The 2007 Indianapolis Colts improved upon their 12–4 record from 2006 as well as winning their 5th straight AFC South Championship. They finished the season 13–3 and lost to...
, Sproles made history by returning a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns—the first player in league history ever to do so. He returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for the game's first score. After Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
's field goal increased the Chargers' lead to 10-0, Sproles returned a Hunter Smith
Hunter Smith
Hunter Dwight Smith is an American football punter, currently a free agent and most recently for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
punt 46 yards for another touchdown for a 16-0 lead. Sproles became the first NFL player to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game since Dante Hall
Dante Hall
Damieon Dante Hall is a former American football Return specialist, and wide receiver in the National Football League. He is considered one of the greatest return specialists in NFL History...
did so in 2003
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
.
On December 16, 2007, Sproles ran one yard for his first career rushing touchdown against the Detroit Lions
2007 Detroit Lions season
The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League. After starting the 2007 season with a 6-2 record, the Lions lost 7 of their last 8 games. They finished with a 7-9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season...
. This was followed by an 11 yard run for his second rushing touchdown, capping off his first 100+ yard rushing game.
2008
On September 14, 2008, Sproles became just the second player in NFL history with 50 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, and 100 return yards in one game (the other being Gale SayersGale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former professional football player in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears....
with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). His stats for the game included: 53 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards, and 192 return yards. Sproles logged 317 all-purpose yards in a 39-38 loss to the Denver Broncos
2008 Denver Broncos season
The 2008 Denver Broncos season was the franchise's 49th season for the team . They improved from their 7–9 record from 2007 but failed to make the playoffs with an 8–8 record...
. He also had a 103 yard touchdown return.
On January 3, 2009, during an AFC Wild card game against the Indianapolis Colts
2008 Indianapolis Colts season
The 2008 Indianapolis Colts season was the 56th season for the team in the National Football League and the 25th in Indianapolis. It was the first season since 2002 that the Colts did not win the AFC South title. However, after a 3–4 start on the season Peyton Manning led the Colts to a nine-game...
, Sproles ran for two touchdowns in place of the injured LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Colts 23-17. With 105 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving and 178 return yards, Sproles finished the game with 328 all-purpose yards in the Chargers victory over the Colts, the third most all-purpose yards by a player in a single NFL post-season game in NFL history. He was named the NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color...
"Horse Trailer Player of the Game" for the second consecutive week. The week following however, Sproles was stopped by the Pittsburgh Steelers
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League . The season concluded with the team winning Super Bowl XLIII to become the first franchise in the NFL with six Super Bowl titles....
. He managed only 15 yards on 11 carries, but did have 5 receptions for 91 yards including a 62-yard touchdown.
2009-2010
On February 18, 2009, the Chargers placed their franchise tagFranchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
on Sproles. He signed the tender on April 28, 2009, which is worth $6.621 million.
On March 4, 2010 it was reported that the Chargers will tender Sproles a contract, which will be worth approximately $7.3 million. Another team would have to give the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks if they signed Sproles.
2011
On July 29, 2011, Sproles signed a four year contract worth $14 million with the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. The contract included $6 million in guaranteed money. He returned a punt for a touchdown in an opening day loss against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
On October 24, 2011, Sproles gained 190 all purpose yards in a 62-7 Saints win over Indianapolis. Sproles broke over 1,000 all-purpose yards in only his seventh game as a Saint. He now has 1,115 all-purpose yards this season.
Personal
Sproles' father Larry played running back at MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityMidAmerica Nazarene University
MidAmerica Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college in Olathe, Kansas. It was established in 1966 by the Church of the Nazarene.-History:Mid-America Nazarene College was founded in 1966...
. Larry was 5 in 5 in (1.65 m)
His mother Annette died of cancer in April 2004.
Sproles married his longtime girlfriend, Michel Hunt, this past offseason. The couple have a daughter, Devyn.
Sproles is known by the nickname "Lightning Bug" due to his speed, agility, diminutive stature and the fact the Chargers uniform is adorned with lightning bolts.
At 5 in 6 in (1.68 m), 180 lb (81.6 kg) Sproles is no longer the smallest player in the NFL. Trindon Holliday
Trindon Holliday
Trindon Holliday is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
(selected in 2010 entry draft) stands at 5 in 5 in (1.65 m).