Darren Sproles is a former Kansas State college football and track and field athlete who had a notable career in the National Football League with teams such as San Diego Chargers (2005-2010), New Orleans Saints (2011-2013) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2014 to present).
The athlete who broke the record and was named the Chargers’ 50-year-old kickoff returner currently holds the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a single season.
Biography (Age)
Darren Sproles was born on June 20, 1983 in Waterloo, Iowa. He is the child of Annette and Larry Sproles, a former varsity athlete who played running for MidAmerica Nazarene University. Sproles grew up in Olathe, Kansas, then attended Rolling Ridge Elementary School, Oregon Trail Junior High, then Olathe North High School.
During his time in high school, Sproles dominated among his peers in football and received a wide range of awards for his talents. Notably, they were twice named Kansas City Star Player of the Year, then USA Today Kansas Player of the Year and Kansas Hall of Famer as a senior. He was also an All-State and All-American selection, managing 5,230 rushing yards and 79 touchdowns before graduating.
Darren Sproles then attended Kansas State University. In his freshman year, he appeared in just 6 games with 210 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. The following year was different, however, as his role in the team’s offense increased. He then played in 13 games, totaling 237 points for 1,465 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. His strong showing continued well into his freshman year as a junior as he helped his team win the Big 12 Conference Championship, but still placed fifth in the Heisman Trophy of the Year voting. He finished the season with 1,986 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
In his final collegiate season, Darren Sproles had 1,318 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He then earned a degree in speech therapy before heading to the NFL. Sproles was picked by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round as the 130th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and the rest is history.
Darren Sproles Family – Wife
Darren Sproles is married to his longtime girlfriend, Michel Hunt, a former professional track athlete who now works as a girls’ track coach, as well as a certified image consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Ms Sproles, born November 29, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, is also a breast cancer survivor after undergoing a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery.
Darren and Michel introduced themselves through a mutual friend. They reportedly had a relationship over the phone for around two months before they were able to meet in person. They then exchanged vows in 2010 and were blessed with two daughters. Devyn Annette Sproles and Rhyan Leigh Sproles.
Michel Sproles has found himself in the news a number of times due to his outspokenness on matters relating to his husband’s career. She has in the past called out New Orleans Saints management for their intention to trade her husband without notifying him, especially after he sacrificed a lot for the team and invested in the community.
