Contact: Jane Fraser at info@stutteringhelp.org
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Playing professional football is easier than speaking. Just ask Darren Sproles,
the San Diego Chargers football player who made history last season by
returning a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns in the
same game.
The running back, who became aware of his
struggle with stuttering at age 4, says the problem became more
pronounced when he was a star football player at Kansas State
University.
"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 of
his stuttering. "I just had to work on it. I couldn't really stress
about it, because that's just me."
Playing the game has
always come easy for Sproles. Speaking, and the challenge to overcome
stuttering, has been much more difficult.
"I remember
a long time ago my grandpa told me: 'Don't ever let anybody tell you
that you can't do anything because you stutter.' " Sproles said. "I
always remembered that and worked hard at improving my speech."
A free mini-poster of Sproles is available to download from the Stuttering Foundation.
He joins other sports legends who have had to overcome stuttering, such
as Bill Walton, Kenyon Martin, Ken Venturi and Bob Love.
"Darren Sproles will be a great source of inspiration to young people
who struggle with the challenge to overcome stuttering," says Jane
Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation.
The
24-year-old Sproles is always taking steps to control his stuttering
and to help others overcome stuttering as well. He bypassed potential
NFL riches following his junior season and returned to Kansas State to
complete his degree in speech pathology. Darren got advice from
basketball great, Bill Walton, who also struggled with stuttering and is now a successful broadcaster.
Sproles said he learned an important lesson that helped him to overcome
stuttering when speaking with the press and in other situations as well
– to take his time while answering questions during an interview. "I
don't have to be in a hurry to say something," he explained.
Coming out of Kansas State, Sproles was one of the most prolific
runners and all-purpose performers in college football history. He set
nearly every school record imaginable - 23 in all - and he is regarded
by many as the best player in the 110-year history of Kansas State
football. As a 5-foot, 6-inch running back and return specialist with
the Chargers, he ranks eighth in the NFL in kickoff return average 26.7
yards and 13th in punt return average 10.1.
For a free
copy of the mini-poster or for other resources to help you, a friend,
or loved one overcome stuttering, visit the official website of The Stuttering Foundation. For additional resources, call 800-992-9392 or e-mail info@stutteringhelp.org.
National Stuttering Awareness Week is May 12-18.
The Stuttering Foundation, through its award-winning website,
provides free
online resources, services and support to those who stutter and their
families, as well as support for research into the causes of
stuttering. The Stuttering Foundation is the first and the largest
nonprofit charitable organization in the
world working towards the prevention and improved treatment of
stuttering, reaching over one million people annually. We also offer
extensive educational programs on stuttering for professionals. Please
call us at 800.992.9392 for more information.
