Having Stuttered Most of His Life, Darren Sproles Now Serves as Inspiration to Others

After the Chargers beat the Colts Saturday, I didn't really think much of Darren Sproles' post-game interview with ESPN's Ed Werder. Partly because I figured he was exhausted after putting the team on his back for most of the night, but also because playing behind LaDainian Tomlinson means he's rarely in the spotlight. I just assumed he was equal parts nervous and overwhelmed.

And then I saw this comment from FanHouse reader CathyO:

I have stuttered my entire life and I can not tell you how proud I am of Darren Sproles for not being afraid to speak his mind to others, no matter how the words come out. I watched his interview after he scored the winning touchdown at last week's game - that was awesome by the way - and when I heard him speak, I almost lost my breath. It is not every day we see someone as successful as he is stuttering on TV and it was refreshing to see. He has no idea how many people he has inspired and how great of an example he is to the thousands of kids and teens who stutter who are afraid to speak because of their stutter. ...

Thank you to Darren for not being afraid to express yourself. By doing so, you have given many the courage to do the same. I have talked to several people in the NSA (National Stuttering Association) who saw that interview (including some teenagers) and you truly inspired them to say what they want to say no matter what. We are all so proud of you!

Last season, the North County Times' Mike Sullivan talked to Sproles about his life-long battle with stuttering.

"If the cameras are in my face, that's when it gets hard for me," Sproles said ... "I guess it is because I get nervous, I think. That's the reason why it gets bad." ...

"[In high school] I had to talk to the media a lot, and once they put a camera in my face that's when it got bad," Sproles said. "I just had to work on it. I couldn't really stress about it, because that's just me. That's the way the Lord made me." ...

"Sometimes you can use your hands to get words out," said Sproles, who routinely moves his hands or slaps his palms while talking. "I was told to tap my hand on my leg while I'm talking to help me get my words out."

I didn't think I could like Sproles any more than I did moments after he racked up 328 all-purpose yards against Indy. I stand corrected.

According to Wikipedia, he majored in speech pathology at Kansas St. More importantly, though, Sproles serves as inspiration for others who stutter. It's a great story, and one certainly worth telling.

A lot of times, I think, we -- fans and media -- are too easily distracted by the absurd and lose sight of the important stuff. So before something shiny diverts my attention, let me just say: nice work, Darren. Here's to hoping you get your Michael Turner payday in the coming months.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning looks up to the scoreboard during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers in their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego, January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

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Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea (41) intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers in the fourth quarter of their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers during the third quarter in their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego, January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers during the third quarter in their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

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San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, fails to make a first down under pressure from Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt during the fourth quarter of an NFL AFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles, left, fumbles at he goal line under pressure from Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson during the third quarter of an NFL AFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)

Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers during the fourth quarter of an NFL AFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

San Diego Chargers' Darren Sproles (R) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Antoine Bethea (L) during the third quarter in their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)

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San Diego Chargers' Chris Chambers catches a pass for a first down against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter in their AFC Wild Card Round NFL playoff football game in San Diego, January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)

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