Darren Sharper

Darren Mallory Sharper (born November 3, 1975) is an American former professional football safety and convicted rapist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the William & Mary Tribe and was selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he spent eight seasons. Sharper played his next four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and his final two with the New Orleans Saints.

Recognized as one of the league's top defensive backs during his career, Sharper was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro, along with being named to the second-team of the 2000s All-Decade Team. He ranks sixth in interceptions and is tied with Charles Woodson and Rod Woodson for the most defensive touchdowns.

Following Sharper's 2010 retirement, allegations surfaced that he drugged and raped several women across various states, leading to him being charged in 2014. Sharper pled guilty to the rape and drug-related charges and was sentenced in 2016 to 20 years in prison. As a result of his guilty plea, he was removed from the College of William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame. Although the conviction did not disqualify his Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility, Sharper never progressed beyond nomination in the voting process.

Sharper has an older sister, Monica, and an older brother, Jamie. 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". Sharper graduated from Hermitage in 1993. Following the rape allegations being substantiated, Hermitage removed all Sharper memorabilia from its school grounds.

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. He wanted to be a quarterback at William & Mary, as well. The college coach, Jimmye Laycock, hinted to him that, as an alternative, Sharper might join the NFL (as a defensive back). During his college career, he earned All-America honors twice and was named first-team All-Yankee Conference selection three times. As a senior in 1996, he was the Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year after intercepting 10 passes for a season. 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 1,027 career punt return yards.

Sharper participated at the annual NFL Scouting Combine, and completed all of the combine and positional drills. Although he performed well, his overall performance was mediocre compared others amongst his position group. NFL draft analysts and scouts projected Sharper to be selected in the third or fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Sharper as the second best safety prospect available in the draft, following Tremain Mack (Miami). Mel Kiper Jr. predicted the Packers would select Sharper in the third round in his mock draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Sharper in the second round (60th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. He was the fifth safety drafted and surpassed 1982 third round pick (83rd overall) John Cannon to become the highest drafted player from William & Mary since the common draft was established in 1967. His brother, Jamie Sharper, was also selected in the second round (34th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens.

On July 12, 1997, the Packers signed Sharper to a four—year, $1.82 million rookie contract that includes a signing bonus of $580,000.