Darren Waller

Darren Waller: biography

Darren Waller is an American football tight end who currently plays for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL).

Childhood and youth

Darren Waller was born on September 13, 1992, in Landover, Maryland. Growing up, Waller faced a number of challenges, including the divorce of his parents, which had a significant impact on his childhood. His father, who struggled with drug addiction, was in and out of his life, leaving Waller to be raised primarily by his mother.

Despite these challenges, Waller showed early promise as an athlete. He played multiple sports, including basketball and track, but ultimately focused on football. As a high school student, he played for the North Cobb High School Warriors in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back. He was also a standout on the track team, setting school records in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles.

Football career

Darren Waller's football career began at Georgia Tech, where he played for the Yellow Jackets from 2011 to 2014 as a wide receiver.

Waller was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He played primarily on special teams during his rookie season, appearing in seven games and recording two tackles. In 2016, he saw more playing time on offense, catching 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

In 2017, Waller was suspended for the entire season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He spent the year working to overcome his addiction and turned to music as a creative outlet. During this time, he wrote and recorded a rap album, "Wall Street," which he released in 2018.

Waller was released by the Ravens in 2018 and subsequently signed with the Oakland Raiders. He played in four games for the team that season, catching six passes for 75 yards. However, it was not until the 2019 season that Waller began to emerge as a star in the NFL.

In 2019, Waller became the Raiders' primary tight end and had a breakout season, catching 90 passes for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the team's Offensive MVP and established himself as one of the best tight ends in the league.

Waller's success continued in the 2020 season, where he had another career year, setting personal bests in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196), and touchdowns (9). He was named to his first Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro.

In 2021, Waller continued to be a major contributor to the Raiders offense. Although he missed some time due to injury, he still finished the season with 74 receptions for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He recorded his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, cementing his status as one of the top tight ends in the league.

On September 10, 2022, Darren signed a $51 million contract extension for three years with the Las Vegas Raiders. He became the highest-paid tight end in the league.

On March 15, 2023, it became known that Darren Waller was traded to the New York Giants.

Waller's success on the field is due in large part to his size, speed, and athleticism, as well as his ability to create mismatches for opposing defenses. He is a physical presence on the field, but he also has the speed and agility to run crisp routes and make difficult catches. He is known for his ability to make contested catches and create yards after the catch.

Personal life

On March 4, 2023, Darren married his girlfriend Kelsey Plum who is a point guard for Las Vegas Aces.

Darren Waller's personal life has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. He has been open about his struggles with addiction and has used his platform as an NFL player to raise awareness about the issue.

Waller's father struggled with drug addiction, and his parents divorced when he was young. These experiences had a significant impact on his childhood and early adulthood, and he began using drugs himself as a way to cope with his emotions.

However, Waller sought help and was able to overcome his addiction. He has been sober since 2017 and has become an advocate for addiction recovery and mental health. He founded the Darren Waller Foundation, which works to provide support and resources to those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

Off the field, Waller is also a talented musician. He began playing the guitar at a young age and has written and recorded his own music. In 2018, he released a rap album, "Wall Street," which he wrote and produced during his suspension from the NFL.

Waller is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has worked with a number of organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club and the Special Olympics, and has been recognized for his charitable work.

Championships and accomplishments

• Offensive MVP of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019
• Pro Bowl selection in 2020
• Second-team All-Pro selection in 2020
• Established himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL in 2019 and 2020
• Set a Raiders franchise record for receptions in a single season (107) in 2020
• Recorded 1,196 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 2020, all career highs
• Had back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2019 and 2020
• Caught at least one pass in every game he played in from 2019 to 2020, a streak of 46 games
• Founder of the Darren Waller Foundation to support those struggling with addiction and mental health issues
• Widely regarded as one of the top tight ends in the NFL and a key player for the Raiders' offense.