Darren Sharper, American football player and sportscaster
Darren Mallory Sharper (born November 3, 1975) is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football at William & Mary 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, while his final two seasons were as a member of 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 William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame, while debate has loomed over whether his Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility should be disqualified.