Kansas State Football: Darren Sproles gives fans one more year

There has probably never been a player come from Kansas State Football like Darren Sproles. He has announced that 2018 will be his final year.

On the night of December 6th, 2003, the Kansas State Football team took on the undefeated, powerhouse, No.1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. That night something amazing happened. Darren Sproles happened.

The game started as expected. The Sooners jumped out to a 7 point lead right off the bat. After a quarter of basically nothing happening offensively, Darren Sproles spun to his right and took off downfield. This lit the fuse as Kansas State Football had its greatest win in school history.

Darren Sproles ran for 235 yards in a 35-7 whipping of Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship. He didn’t do it alone of course, with Ell Roberson throwing four touchdown passes and the defense playing its best ball of the season.

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Most fans will probably agree, Sproles is the fan favorite, still today.

Sproles will be entering his 13th and final season. He missed the majority of the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run last season.

Over his career, he has played for three different teams. The Eagles, Saints, and the team that drafted him, the now Los Angeles Chargers.

His career numbers are impressive for a back that many felt was too small to play in the league at 5′-6″. He has 3,366 rushing yards and 4,656 receiving yards with 52 touchdowns. He also has nine touchdowns on kick and punt returns.

His style of running never changed over his career. He weaved his way through crowds of defenders with quickness and grace. Like a bumble bee flying through a garden.

Sproles has always been such an exciting player to watch. He is liked by the majority of NFL and college fans alike. Sooners fans, not so much.

There is a chance for Sproles to move up the record books in yards from scrimmage this season as well, placing him with guys like Emmitt Smith, Tim Brown, and Marshall Faulk. That’s quite an NFL career. You can read his personal announcement here, but here are some tidbits.

"I love this game. I love what I do. When my daughter Devyn looked me in the eye and told me I have to play one more year,well, that was it."

He mentions how 2017 was supposed to be his final year before he got injured. He mentions how excited he is about his championship team as well. He also gives us his secret on lasting so long in the league at his size.

"Don’t get hit."

Darren Sproles was a huge part of the greatest night for every fan of Kansas State Football. He will go down in history as the best Wildcat ever, or at least he should. Give him a key to the city, name another burger after him, play that 35-7 Big 12 Championship game over and over.

Next: All-time rushers for K-State

Darren Sproles is one of the greatest football players in history. He’s a Wildcat. His career has been a fun one to follow and we here at the kingdom wish him an injury free season.

*Note: All stats are credited to pro-football-reference.com

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