From NFL Star to Hip-Hop Hopeful: Darren Waller Chooses Music Over Football and Kelsey Plum

Darren Waller, a former NFL tight end, once appeared poised for a prominent career. Selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft from Georgia Tech, he excelled during his nine seasons in the league. After four quieter years with the Baltimore Ravens, Waller truly shined after joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018, earning his Pro Bowl selection in 2020 following consecutive 1,100-yard receiving seasons. The Raiders esteemed Waller greatly, making him the highest-paid tight end in 2022 with a $17 million annual salary, a record briefly surpassed by Travis Kelce in 2024. However, his time with the Raiders soured, leading to a trade to the New York Giants. After the 2023 season, Waller retired to pursue music, with fans expressing mixed feelings about his choices. During "The Side You Don’t See" podcast, he reflected on his waning passion for football, stating, “I knew I was retiring…” as he contemplated his life's direction.