Danny Wuerffel

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Danny Wuerffel
Danny Wuerffel poses with the 1996 Heisman Trophy
Date of birth	May 27, 1974
Place of birth	Pensacola, Florida
Position(s)	Quarterback
College	Florida
NFL Draft	1997 / Round 4/ Pick 99
Awards	1996 Heisman Trophy 1996 Maxwell Award 1996 Walter Camp Award 1996 Johnny Unitas Award 1996 Davey O'Brien Award 1995 Davey O'Brien Award
Statistics	CBS.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1997-1999 2000 2001 2002	New Orleans Saints Green Bay Packers Chicago Bears Washington Redskins

Danny Carl Wuerffel (born May 27, 1974 in Pensacola, Florida) is an American football player who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy while playing quarterback at the University of Florida under coach Steve Spurrier. He later played for several NFL teams, retiring in 2002.

Wuerffel is a devout Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, and known for his character both on and off the field. Since retiring from football, he has been engaged in charitable work in New Orleans.

[edit] Early life

Wuerffel is a military brat being the son of an United States Air Force chaplain. He grew up in the Destin, Florida area and attended Fort Walton Beach Senior High School, leading the Vikings to an undefeated season as a senior while winning the Florida AAAA state football championship in 1991. His coach, Jimmy Ray Stephens, became responsible for protecting Wuerffel on the field after being hired as the offensive line coach at Florida. His teammate and friend, wide receiver E.G. Green, would go on to star at Florida State University under coach Bobby Bowden.

[edit] College

At the University of Florida, Wuerffel played quarterback for the Florida Gators, winning four consecutive Southeastern Conference titles between 1993 and 1996, and the 1996 National Championship in decisive fashion (52-20) over archrival Florida State University at the 1997 Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Wuerffel broke most quarterback records at the University of Florida and many in the NCAA during his career at UF. He was the first college athlete to win the Heisman and Draddy (for the NCAA student-athlete of the year) trophies in a single season (1996).

Known for clamping his hands together after throwing touchdowns, Wuerffel made his religious faith known throughout his college career. He was known as "the Waffle House."

[edit] Career stats at Florida

1995 Sports Illustrated cover featuring Wuerffel, following a 62-37 win over Tennessee. The magazine had intended to put Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning on the cover prior to the game.

Most Pass Attempts

• Career : 1,170
• Season : 360 (1996)
• Game : 50 (1993) at Auburn

Most Pass Completions

• Career : 708
• Season : 210 (1995)
• Game : 29 (1995) vs. Tennessee

Most Pass Yards

• Career : 10,875
• Season : 3,625 (1996)
• Game : 462 (1996) vs. Arkansas

[edit] NFL

His National Football League career was significantly less successful, due in large measure to his lack of height and his tendency to throw the ball rather softly by professional standards. After playing seven seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins, Danny retired. One highlight of his professional career was winning the MVP award in World Bowl 2000 while playing for Rhein Fire in NFL Europe (the match was won by Fire 13-10 over the Scottish Claymores).

[edit] Life after the NFL

Wuerffel began work at Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit faith-based organization focusing on spiritual and community development in one of the poorest areas of New Orleans. He also speaks to college groups, such as the University of Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2004 Wuerffel co-authored a book called Tales from the Gator Swamp, in which he covers his college football career at Florida.

For his exemplary achievements on and off the field, the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach created the Wuerffel Trophy in his honor in 2005. It is to be awarded annually to the athlete who best exemplifies the character and play on the field that Wuerffel achieved. [1]

Hurricane Katrina destroyed Wuerffel's home and Desire Street Ministries. He has made national news with his calls to action and plans to rebuild Desire Street Ministries and New Orleans.

On September 30, 2006, Wuerffel was inducted into the Florida Football Ring of Honor alongside his former coach Steve Spurrier and two other Gator legends: Jack Youngblood and Emmitt Smith.