Darren Waller

Darren Waller's Biography

Darren Charles Waller was born on September 13, 1992, in Landover, Maryland, to his parents, Dorian and Charlena Waller. Darren Waller grew up with a sister named Deanna in multiple cities, including Colorado Springs, Marietta, and Acworth. Off the field, Waller developed a passion for producing hip-hop music.

Waller began his football career playing college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Although he redshirted his freshman season in 2011, he chose to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2015 NFL draft. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens, he was the 204th overall pick and the 27th wide receiver in 2015. The Ravens signed Waller to a four-year, $2.39 million contract.

In his rookie year, head coach, John Harbaugh, named him the sixth wide receiver on the depth chart. Unfortunately, Waller was placed on the injured reserve list in late October. Waller, originally drafted as a wide receiver, transitioned into the tight end position based on the advice from coach Harbaugh.

Waller’s career was interrupted when he was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Again in 2017, his career faced a roadblock. This time, his suspension was for a year without pay for again violating the substance-abuse policy. Waller’s subsequent rehabilitation led to his return to the league in August 2018 after serving his suspension. The Baltimore team waved him upon his return, but soon signed him to their practice squad. However, the Oakland Raiders signed Waller from the Ravens’ practice squad.

During the Hard Knocks documentary series that followed the Raiders, they showcased Waller’s struggle with substance abuse and the subsequent steps he took to overcome it. His performance in the 2019 season earned him recognition, and Waller signed a three-year contract extension with the Raiders, which would run till 2023.

In the 2020 season, he established career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, and he was ranked 35th in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021. Despite an injury in 2021 that limited him to only 11 games, Waller still managed to rack up impressive statistics.

In 2022, Waller signed a lucrative contract extension with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league. However, he suffered another injury that sidelined him for several games. Despite his setbacks, his performance still earned him a spot amongst the top 100 players of 2022. Waller was subsequently traded to the New York Giants in 2023 but was again sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, Waller announced his retirement from professional football in 2024, marking the end of a career spanning nine seasons.

However, Waller had personal struggles off the field. He began abusing oxycodone at the young age of 15 and started consuming alcohol the following year. His addiction escalated to the point where he was spending up to a hundred dollars daily on pills, and he later began using cocaine. After overcoming a near-fatal overdose in 2017, Waller sought professional help for his addiction.

In the wake of his recovery, Waller founded the Darren Waller Foundation in 2020. The foundation seeks to support youth who are struggling with substance abuse and their families on their road to recovery and treatment. In 2023, Waller married Las Vegas Aces point guard, Kelsey Plum. However, the marriage was short-lived, and the couple filed for divorce in 2024. Waller’s turbulent life experiences have also fueled his music, and in 2024, he released “Who Knew,” a song about his former wife.