Olathe North High School Class of 2001

(June 20, 1983 —           )

Despite being a retired NFL Pro-Bowl running back whose career took him all over the United States, Darren remains committed to his hometown, especially Olathe children. Locally, he has conducted youth football camps and created a writing contest to help youth focus on perseverance. Darren and his wife, Michel, started Sproles Empowered Youth, a foundation to support football, academics and financial literacy for boys and girls. Darren joined other celebrities in supporting The Stuttering Foundation, which helps youths who stutter become more confident. While at Kansas State University, Darren was named All Big 12, All American and broke the school’s rushing records for game, season and career. He was named to the K-State Hall of Fame, College Hall of Fame and Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Throughout his 15-year NFL career (with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles), Darren broke numerous records and was named to the Pro Bowl and selected as an All-Pro. Retired K-State football coach Bill Snyder remarked that Darren “represented each of his programs and each community with an intrinsic value system admired and respected by all.”