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'''Darren Mallory Sharper''' (born November 3, 1975) is a former [[American football]] [[safety (American football position)|safety]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and a convicted rapist. He played [[college football]] for the [[College of William & Mary]]. He was drafted by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the second round of the [[1997 NFL Draft]], also playing for the [[Minnesota Vikings]] and [[New Orleans Saints]]. Sharper was a five-time [[Pro Bowl]] selection, and was named to the NFL's [[National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team|2000s All-Decade Team]]. He finished his career with 63 interceptions, 6th on the NFL's all-time leader list at the time of his retirement.
'''Darren Mallory Sharper''' (born November 3, 1975) is a former [[American football]] [[safety (American football position)|safety]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for fourteen seasons. He played [[college football]] for the [[College of William & Mary]]. He was drafted by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the second round of the [[1997 NFL Draft]], also playing for the [[Minnesota Vikings]] and [[New Orleans Saints]]. Sharper was a five-time [[Pro Bowl]] selection, and was named to the NFL's [[National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team|2000s All-Decade Team]]. He finished his career with 63 interceptions, 6th on the NFL's all-time leader list at the time of his retirement.


In 2014, Sharper was arrested and accused of [[sexual assault]] in California. He was subsequently charged with multiple sexual assaults in Louisiana, Arizona, and Nevada.
In 2014, Sharper was arrested and accused of [[sexual assault]] in California. He was subsequently charged with multiple sexual assaults in Louisiana, Arizona, and Nevada.

Revision as of 17:39, 31 July 2016

Darren Sharper
refer to caption
Sharper in 2011
No. 42
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1975-11-03) November 3, 1975 (age 48)
Richmond, Virginia
Career information
College:William & Mary
NFL draft:1997 / round: 2 / pick: 60
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:942
Quarterback sacks:7.5
Interceptions:63
Interception return TDs:11
Passes Def:101

Darren Mallory Sharper (born November 3, 1975) is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. He played college football for the College of William & Mary. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft, also playing for the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. Sharper was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and was named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. He finished his career with 63 interceptions, 6th on the NFL's all-time leader list at the time of his retirement.

In 2014, Sharper was arrested and accused of sexual assault in California. He was subsequently charged with multiple sexual assaults in Louisiana, Arizona, and Nevada.

Early years

Sharper has an older sister, Monica, and an older brother, Jamie.[1] The Sharpers attended Hermitage High School in Henrico County, Virginia. Jamie played for the high school football team as a linebacker. Darren played for the varsity football and basketball teams. He was named to the honor roll, had perfect attendance in three of his four years, and was active in the foreign language club and student council. Hermitage honored Sharper with a display on their "Wall of Fame".[2] Sharper graduated from Hermitage in 1993.[3]

College career

Sharper attended the College of William and Mary, where he played for the William & Mary Tribe football team. In high school, Sharper primarily played quarterback, and he wanted to be a quarterback at William & Mary as well, until his college coach, Jimmye Laycock, told Sharper that he had the potential to succeed in the NFL as a defensive back.[3] During his college career, he earned All-America honors twice and was named first-team All-Yankee Conference selection three times. As a senior he was the Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year after intercepting 10 passes. He finished his college career with a school record 24 career interceptions and a I-AA record 468 career interception return yards. He also set the school record with 1,037 career punt return yards.

Sharper's college awards and honors include:

  • 3× First-team All-Yankee (1994–1996)
  • 2× I-AA All-American (1995–1996)
  • Yankee Conference Defensive P.O.Y. (1996)

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers selected Sharper in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. During his rookie season he played in 14 games, finishing with 19 tackles and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns. The first of which was a 50-yard return in week 10 to help the Packers to a 20–10 victory over the Detroit Lions. His play helped Green Bay reach Super Bowl XXXII which they lost to the Denver Broncos by a score of 31–24. During his second season he started all 16 games for the Packers, finishing with 73 tackles. In 1999 he started all 16 games for the second consecutive season finishing with a career high 113 tackles and three interceptions.

Sharper's breakout season was in 2000. He finished the season with 92 tackles and a league leading nine interceptions, and made his first career Pro Bowl. Sharper had another great season in 2001 finishing with 94 tackles and six interceptions.

In 2002 Sharper made his second Pro Bowl after intercepting seven passes for a league high 233 interception yards in only 13 games. In 2003 he finished with 82 tackles and five interceptions. During his last season with the Packers in 2004 he totaled 70 tackles and four interceptions and led the league in defensive touchdowns with three.

On March 10, 2005, the Packers released Sharper. He finished his eight-year career in Green Bay, fifth in Packer history with 36 career interceptions, 616 tackles, six sacks, 677 interception yards, and five touchdowns.[4]

Minnesota Vikings

Sharper signed with the Minnesota Vikings on March 12, 2005.[5] Sharper made an immediate impact for the Vikings intercepting nine passes for a league high 276 interception yards and two defensive touchdowns, in only 14 games. His great play earned him a trip to his third Pro Bowl. During his second season with the Vikings in 2006 he made 67 tackles and four interceptions. On November 11, 2006 in a game against the Miami Dolphins, Sharper bumped a member of the officiating crew, but he was not immediately penalized, later the following week the NFL fined him $15,000 for the infraction.[6]

Sharper made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in 2007, after totaling 63 tackles and four interceptions. On September 16, 2007, Sharper became the 22nd player in NFL history to intercept 50 passes.[7] In 2008, Sharper recorded 69 tackles and one interception. He finished his four-year career in Minnesota with 18 interceptions, 250 tackles, 359 interception yards, three touchdowns, and a sack.

New Orleans Saints

An unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season, Sharper signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on March 18, 2009.[8] On October 4, 2009, Sharper returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest in Saints history. It was also his second 95+ yard interception return for a touchdown for the season. On October 25, Sharper returned his third interception for a touchdown on the season, a team record. At the end of Week 8, on Monday Night Football, Sharper intercepted a pass from Atlanta's Matt Ryan to help keep the Saints' perfect record. It was his seventh interception of the season. On November 30, once again on Monday Night Football, Sharper intercepted a desperation pass from New England's Tom Brady and returned it 35 yards, which left him 4 yards short of the NFL record for interception return yards in a season, set by Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens in 2004.

Sharper then broke that record in a December 27 game against Tampa Bay, intercepting Josh Freeman's pass and returning it 21 yards. This gave him 9 interceptions on the year and 376 return yards (including 3 interceptions returned for touchdowns). It was the 63rd interception of Sharper's NFL career, tying him for sixth on the all-time list.[9] His 376 interception return yards broke the NFL single season record of 358 previously held by Ed Reed. Sharper also shares an NFL record with Deion Sanders for most games with 50+ interception return yards (9) and owns the NFL record for most games with 75+ interception return yards (6).

For his performance in 2009, Sharper was selected for his fifth Pro Bowl and as a first team All-Pro. On February 7, 2010, Sharper earned his first Super Bowl ring as the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by a score of 31–17. Characteristic of the play of the New Orleans defense all season, the game was decided when cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted a Peyton Manning pass late in the 4th quarter and returned it 74 yards for the winning touchdown.

Sharper had micro-fracture arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during the off-season. On March 5, 2010, Sharper became an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to sign with another team. However, on May 3, Sharper re-signed with the Saints for the 2010 season.[10] On September 3, Sharper was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, causing him to miss the first six weeks of the 2010 NFL season. He was activated on October 24,[11] but he later missed another two games after a further injury. He was selected as a second team All Pro, despite having missed much of the season.

After workouts with the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers without a contract offer, Sharper reportedly announced his retirement after a 14-year career. He finished with 63 career regular season interceptions, placing him sixth all time. He took 11 of them back for touchdowns, which ranks him third only to Charles Woodson and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, with 12.[12] Sharper's 13 career defensive touchdowns (11 interception returns, 2 fumble returns) is tied for 1st in NFL history with Rod Woodson and Charles Woodson.[13] Sharper is the only player to ever lead the NFL in interception return yards in 3 different seasons (2002, 2005, 2009).

NFL stats

Year Team G Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Comb Total Ast Sack PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR Yds TDs
1997 GB 14 13 11 2 0.0 2 2 70 35 50 2 1 1 34 1
1998 GB 16 73 53 20 0.0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999 GB 16 113 84 29 1.0 6 3 12 4 9 0 0 1 9 0
2000 GB 16 92 72 20 1.0 17 9 109 12 47 0 0 0 0 0
2001 GB 16 94 70 24 2.0 17 6 78 13 23 0 1 1 17 0
2002 GB 13 68 51 17 0.0 9 7 233 33 89 1 0 0 0 0
2003 GB 15 82 69 13 2.0 13 5 78 16 50 0 2 0 0 0
2004 GB 15 70 57 13 0.0 7 4 97 24 43 2 2 1 15 1
2005 MIN 14 51 41 10 0.0 16 9 276 31 92 2 1 1 14 0
2006 MIN 16 68 52 16 1.0 9 4 10 3 10 0 1 0 0 0
2007 MIN 16 63 49 14 0.0 8 4 61 15 41 1 1 0 0 0
2008 MIN 16 69 60 9 0.0 5 1 12 12 12 0 0 2 20 0
2009 NO 14 71 51 20 0.5 15 9 376 42 99 3 0 0 0 0
2010 NO 8 16 11 5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0
Career 205 943 731 212 7.5 134 63 1,412 22 99 11 9 8 120 2

[14]

WWL-TV and NFL Network

In August 2012, after retiring, Sharper worked briefly for WWL-TV as an analyst before leaving to take a position with NFL Network. On January 18, 2014, it was announced that Sharper has been suspended, without pay, from his position at NFL Network until further notice. The suspension was a result of sexual assault charges against him.[15] On February 28, 2014, Sharper was officially fired from NFL Network.[16]

Sexual assault convictions

Criminal charges against Sharper began being filed in 2014 in Arizona, California, and Louisiana, alleging he is a serial rapist. On January 17, 2014, Sharper was arrested in Los Angeles on two separate counts of sexual assault.[17] The alleged incidents are said to have happened in October 2013 and January 2014.[17] According to USA Today, the New Orleans Police Department indicated that it also was investigating a sexual assault allegation which was filed September 24, 2013, against Sharper.[17]

On February 14, 2014, Sharper was officially charged with two counts of rape, by use of drugs, and five related felony counts. Sharper was released on $200,000 bond, which at the request of the prosecution was raised to $1,000,000. Sharper pleaded not guilty to the charges. Conditions of his bail required him not to frequent any drinking establishment, as well as not to be alone with any women he had no relationship with prior to October 13, 2013, the date of his first alleged rape.[18][19] Sharper faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all counts.[18]

Officials in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, filed two charges of aggravated rape against Sharper and another two counts against Erik Nunez, 26, on February 27, 2014, related to the alleged September 2013 incident in New Orleans. Investigators said a second woman came forward with a complaint following an initial report shortly after the alleged rape. Louisiana law states that a person convicted of aggravated rape shall be punished by life imprisonment at hard labor, without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.[20] On December 12, 2014, an Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Sharper on two counts of aggravated rape, stating that, if convicted, he will face a mandatory life sentence.[21]

On March 12, 2015, Sharper was charged with sexual assault in Arizona.[22] Under Arizona state law, a person commits sexual assault by knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another person without that person's consent.[23][24] No consent was given if the victim was incapable of consenting by reason of drugs, alcohol, sleep, or a similar impairment, and such impairment was known or should have been known to the defendant.[25][26]

On March 20, 2015, Sharper was charged with two sexual assaults in Las Vegas.[27] The purported crimes took place in January 2014 and involved two women. Nevada state legislation provides that a person subjecting another person to sexual penetration against that person's will, or under conditions in which the perpetrator knows or should know that the victim is mentally or physically incapable of resisting or understanding the nature of the perpetrator's conduct, is guilty of sexual assault. The notion of sexual penetration includes sexual intercourse in its ordinary meaning.[28] Later on March 20, Sharper's lawyer said that Sharper had reached a plea agreement to resolve all of the charges against him. He appeared in court in Los Angeles on March 23 to enter guilty pleas[29] to sexual assault in Arizona, by video-conferencing, and no contest in California to raping two women he knocked out with a potent sedative mixed with alcohol.[30] The Arizona judge sentenced him immediately to nine years in prison, with no chance for early release.[31]

On March 24, 2015, Sharper accepted a nine-year sentence in a plea deal for all charges against him, in addition to the year he had served already.[31] However, on February 18, 2016, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche-Milazzo rejected the deal saying, "This court cannot accept this plea agreement", and noted that a federal pre-sentence report called for a range of 15–20 years.[32] On March 22, 2016, judge Triche-Milazzo approved a new deal under which the length of the prison term will follow the above guidelines. At their discretion, prosecutors may ask for a lighter sentence, based on Sharper's cooperation in building the case against his co-defendants, Erik Nunez and Brandon Licciardi, a former sheriff's deputy in the New Orleans suburb of St. Bernard Parish.[33]

Sharper still awaits formal sentencing in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and in state and federal courts in New Orleans. He may be sentenced to 20 years in Louisiana in response to the multiple rapes he committed there.[34] As part of his plea deal, upon his release from prison, Sharper will be tracked by California officials with a GPS, undergo sex offender treatment, be prohibited from drinking alcohol or going to bars or liquor stores, be banned from sex shops and Internet dating, and be required to seek approval before traveling more than 50 miles from his home or spending a night away. While on lifetime probation in Arizona, Sharper will be forced to take "penile plethysmograph" tests, during which a sensor is attached to the penis to gauge arousal level as sexual images are shown. Subjects are measured for both size and girth.[35][36]

Hall of Fame Consideration

In 2016, Sharper became eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leading to a debate as to whether his criminal convictions disqualify him.[37] Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, who is on the Hall of Fame voting committee, has said Sharper must be considered because voters are prohibited from taking off-field issues into account.[38]

Sharper has already been removed from his college's hall of fame.[39]

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Dave (October 1, 1994). "Oh Brother, What A Game: W&m Plays Virginia In A Family Affair". Daily Press. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  2. ^ Laken Litman, USA TODAY Sports (April 15, 2014). "Sharper's high school faces decision on 'tarnished' hero". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Paul Woody, "Hard work, confidence key Sharper’s NFL success", Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 6, 2009.[dead link]
  4. ^ Packers Release Darren Sharper, Sparky Hamilton. Packers.com. October 3, 2005
  5. ^ Sharper stays in NFC North. Sports.espn.go.com (March 12, 2005). Retrieved on 2011-11-17.
  6. ^ Vikings safety Sharper fined $15K for bumping referee. Sports.espn.go.com (November 24, 2006). Retrieved on 2011-11-17.
  7. ^ Career Interception List. Pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved on November 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Saints Agree to Terms with Sharper. Associated Press. March 18, 2009
  9. ^ Mike Triplett, "Sharper makes history", Times-Picayune, December 27, 2009.
  10. ^ Mike Triplett, "Darren Sharper and New Orleans Saints agree to a 1-year deal", Times-Picayune, May 3, 2010.
  11. ^ Mike Triplett, "Darren Sharper is off the PUP list, and back with the New Orleans Saints", Times-Picayune, October 21, 2010.
  12. ^ "Source - Darren Sharper, formerly of New Orleans Saints, set to retire - ESPN". Espn.go.com. November 28, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  13. ^ Darren Sharper   (November 3, 1975). "Darren Sharper: Career Stats at". Nfl.com. Retrieved January 20, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  14. ^ "Darren Sharper Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  15. ^ Mike Florio, "Darren Sharper arrested for suspicion of rape," NBC Sports: Pro Football Talk, January 18, 2014.
  16. ^ Dillon, Nancy. "Former NFL safety Darren Sharper in Los Angeles jail, officially fired by NFL Network". NY Daily News. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  17. ^ a b c "Darren Sharper arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of rape," USA Today, January 18, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Christian Red, "Darren Sharper, former All-Pro NFL safety, charged with raping two women," New York Daily News, February 14, 2014.
  19. ^ Michael Martinez and Paul Vercammen, CNN (February 20, 2014). "Ex-NFLer Darren Sharper pleads not guilty in alleged California rapes - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved March 23, 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ Clint Durrett (May 15, 2012). "NOPD issues arrest warrant for Darren Sharper on 2 charges of rape". WDSU. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  21. ^ Ken Daley, "Darren Sharper, 2 others indicted in New Orleans rape cases", The Times-Picayune, December 12, 2014.
  22. ^ "Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper charged with sexual assault in Arizona". CNN. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  23. ^ "13-1406. Sexual assault; classification; increased punishment". azleg.state.az.us. Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  24. ^ "13-1406. Sexual assault; classification; increased punishment". azdps.gov. Arizona Department of Public Safety. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  25. ^ "13-1401. Definitions; factors". azleg.state.az.us. Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  26. ^ "13-1401. Definitions; factors". azdps.gov. Arizona Department of Public Safety. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  27. ^ "Darren Sharper charged with rape in Las Vegas". USA TODAY. March 20, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "Chapter 200 - Crimes Against The Person". leg.state.nv.us. Nevada Legislature. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  29. ^ Associated Press, "Lawyer: Sharper to enter plea", ESPN, March 20, 2015.
  30. ^ "Ex-NFL Player Sharper Gets 9 Years in Arizona Sex Assault". CBS News. March 23, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  31. ^ a b Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports (March 23, 2015). "Darren Sharper sentenced to 9 years for rape". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  32. ^ http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/darren-sharper-PESPT006654-topic.html
  33. ^ "Judge accepts revamped plea deal in Darren Sharper rape case". CBS News. March 22, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  34. ^ "Darren Sharper takes 20-year plea deal in Louisiana rape case - ProFootballTalk". Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  35. ^ Chris Yuscavage. "Darren Sharper Will Have His Penis Monitored by Arizona Officials as Part of His Plea Deal". Complex. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  36. ^ "'Penile plethysmograph' test to gauge arousal part of Darren Sharper's strict post-prison deal". The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  37. ^ Ryan Gabrielson. "For Darren Sharper, a Place in Prison. But in Hall of Fame, Too?". ProPublica.
  38. ^ Drew Magary. "Peter King Defends Hall Of Fame's Right To Honor Alleged Serial Rapist". Deadspin.
  39. ^ "Darren Sharper removed from his college's Hall of Fame - ProFootballTalk".
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