Darnell Stapleton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Union Township, New Jersey, U.S.
 Stapleton with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 | |
| Washington Commanders | |
|---|---|
| Title | Offensive line coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 21, 1985 Union Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 305 lb (138 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Union |
| College |
|
| NFL draft | 2007: undrafted |
| Position | Guard, No. 72 |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Coaching | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Darnell Robert Stapleton (born September 21, 1985) is an American professional football coach and former guard who is the offensive line coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and won Super Bowl XLIII with the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom he signed with as an undrafted free agent in 2007.
Stapleton played football for Union High School. As a senior in 2002, he was a first-team All-Watchung Conference selection, and a first-team all-county selection.
College career
Junior college
Stapleton attended Hudson Valley Community College for two seasons. In 2003, he earned second-team all-league honors. He started 11 games in 2004, and was a first-team All-Northeast Football Conference selection and a preseason NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American.
Rutgers University
Following junior college, Stapleton enrolled at Rutgers University, where he became the team's starting center in spring camps in 2005. He started 12 games on the season. In his senior year, Stapleton started 13 games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's best center. The Rutgers offensive line allowed only eight sacks on the season, the fewest in the nation, while Rutgers running back Ray Rice set a Big East Conference record with 1,794 yards on the season. Stapleton was awarded the David Bender Trophy, given to the team's best player on the offensive line.
Professional career
Pittsburgh Steelers
Stapleton was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2007 NFL draft. He made the Steelers' 53-man roster in his rookie season but was inactive for every regular season and playoff game. In 2008, Stapleton was a reserve for the first four games of the season, before starting the final 12 games at right guard in place of an injured Kendall Simmons. He also started the team's three playoff games, including the Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He did not play in the team's first three preseason games in 2009 before being placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2009, with a knee injury. He was not offered a tender by the team as a restricted free agent following the season.
Florida Tuskers
Stapleton signed to play with the United Football League's Florida Tuskers in July 2010.[1]
New England Patriots
Stapleton signed with the New England Patriots on August 9, 2010, but waived two days later.[2]
