Danny 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 modern-day legendary coach Steve Spurrier.
Biographical Information
He is the son of an Air Force chaplain and has been renowned for his character off the field as well as on. Wuerffel grew up in the nearby Destin area.
High school
He attended Fort Walton Beach High School, where he won the Florida state championship.
College
At the University of Florida, Wuerffel played quarterback for the Florida Gators, winning four consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles 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. He 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 (NCAA student-athlete of the year) trophies in a single season (1996).
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).
Life after the NFL
He then 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 Danny co-authored a book called "Tales from the Gator Swamp", in which he covers his college football career at Florida.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed Danny's home and Desire Street Ministries. He has been back in the news with his calls to action and plans to rebuild Desire Street Ministries and New Orleans.