Today, there are over 1,700 players in the National Football League. The media’s job is to attempt to get as much coverage as possible on popular stories, big name players and compelling issues surrounding the league and its 32 teams. The spotlight topics will primarily shine upon the offensive and defensive players, a Manning or Brady under center or a Watt or Mathews off the edge. Where does that leave the players on Special teams? A forgotten 3rd unit, this group’s on-field contributions are often under appreciated and widely overlooked.
For the past three seasons Chargers Safety, Darrell Stuckey, has made his value look “special”. His play and leadership on the field, proved that Stuckey was a must sign candidate in the off-season. In March, Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco signed The Pro-Bowl special teamer to a multi-year contract, bringing back whom many on the team consider to be a cornerstone of The Chargers roster.
Above all his talents and play making abilities, Stuckey is an influential voice in the locker room and carries with him a message that he wants to spread to the heart of America’s Finest City. “Be selfless.”
Raised by his single mother Michelle Foulks, Stuckey along with his older brother and younger sister were brought up in the church environment. Without a father figure from the age of 4, Stuckey yearned for a male role model in his childhood.
Several years later, Michelle remarried and Stuckey’s family of four grew to eight. With a father to look up to and a huge family, things couldn’t get much better as Stuckey was just about to begin his journey into high school.
Having to learn and experience life lessons from a young age, Stuckey earned a scholarship to attend a local leadership camp at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). While simultaneously attending a football camp for The University of Kansas, Stuckey did not want to miss out on a football scholarship but also understood the impact that the FCA camp could have on his life.
Making the decision to attend to the first day of football camp and spend the rest of the week at FCA, Stuckey would experience an event that would remain with him for the rest of his life.
On his solitary day of attending football camp, Stuckey injured his hamstring and could not finish out the day. Feeling dejected that he wasn’t able to give his best effort, Stuckey carried a cloud of depression over his head the entire way to FCA. However, it was at FCA where young Stuckey would learn the values and priorities that would turn his entire world around. With a new found guidance and perspective on life following his attendance at FCA, Stuckey accepted a scholarship at Kansas University shortly after.
Unfortunately, the excitement would be short lived as Stuckey had come to learn from his mother that his stepfather had sexually abused one of his siblings. Filled with anger and shattered trust in a relationship that had been forged for several years, Stuckey became the new man of the house at age 17. Having to work nights and leave football practice early to help support his family, Stuckey experienced first hand what it meant to be a responsible and reliable adult.
From that moment on, Stuckey carried with him a sense of accountability and purpose that was not just for himself but for those around him as well. Stuckey became one of the most popular and involved players in the community during his tenure at Kansas University and the goal of the being selfless and giving back to others traveled with him all the way to San Diego.
Now, as one of the most publicly active Chargers in San Diego, Stuckey participates in countless events in the city. This week, The Chargers Kicked off their “Salute to Service” event at Camp Pendleton. On Veteran’s day, Stuckey alongside fellow teammates Jeremy Sirles, Sean Lissemore and Craig Watts, paid a visit to the military base to honor the brave men and women who serve our country.
Throughout his life, Stuckey has garnered many titles from his peers. But whether as a public speaker, locker room leader, teammate or community contributor, Stuckey attempts to spread the same heartfelt message for everyone to live by: “Be selfless”
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