Darren Lee Sproles (born June 20, 1983) is an American professional football executive and former running back.

He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, earning first-team All-American honors and becoming the school's all-time leading rusher.

Sproles was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft.

He joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency before the 2011 season, and broke the NFL record for most single-season all-purpose yardage the same year, with 2,696 yards.

[4] Sproles was a star in football, earning the name "Tank", after having been born at 10 lb (4.5 kg).

He was also the winner of Thomas A. Simone Trophy, given to the top big-class football player in Kansas City metro area.

He led his Olathe North Eagles to a 12–0 record and their fourth Kansas 6A state title in five years.

Sproles played college football at Kansas State University from 2001 to 2004, starting all games in his last two seasons and setting 23 school records.

[9] In the 2001 season, he made his collegiate debut against New Mexico State and had four carries for 49 yards and a touchdown.

[25] Sproles started the 2004 season off strong with 42 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Western Kentucky.

[32] Sproles was inducted to the Kansas State Athletics Hall of Fame, leading the class of 2021.

[36] Sproles spent the 2005 season as the third string running back, behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner, returning kicks and punts.

[37][38] He then spent the entire 2006 season on injured reserve list after breaking his ankle during the preseason.

[49][50] He was named the NBC Sunday Night Football "Horse Trailer Player of the Game" for the second consecutive week.

[57] On March 4, 2010, it was reported that the Chargers would tender Sproles a contract, which was worth approximately $7.3 million.

Another team would have had to give the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks if they signed Sproles.

[59] On July 29, 2011, Sproles signed a four-year contract worth $14 million with the New Orleans Saints.

[71] On November 2, 2012, Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt announced that Sproles would be out indefinitely due to a fractured hand.

Drew Brees was quoted after the trade: "You only see a Darren Sproles type of player come around once in your career".

[84] Starting the 2015 season, much hype surrounded the Eagles signing reigning rushing champion DeMarco Murray and San Diego starter Ryan Mathews, leading to speculation that Sproles would get less playing time.

[85][86] In Week 3, DeMarco Murray did not play due to injury, but the Eagles running game prospered under Mathews and Sproles.

Sproles was named NFC Special Teams player of the week for returning a punt 89 yards for the touchdown.

He also rushed for 17 yards and one touchdown, helping the Eagles win their first game of the season against the 2-0 New York Jets, 24–17.

[87][88] Sproles was given his largest workload since the 2009 season in a Week 13 game against the 10-1 New England Patriots, due to the ineffectiveness of Murray and Mathews being hurt.

[99] On November 7, the day after the Giants game, head coach Doug Pederson officially named Sproles as the starting back.

[102] On September 25, 2017, it was revealed that Sproles suffered a broken arm and a torn ACL on the same play in a game against the New York Giants in Week 3.

[111] His return from injury was short-lived as he injured his hamstring in practice before the Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

[119] In Week 5, against the New York Jets, he moved into 5th all-time on the all-purpose yards list, passing Tim Brown.

[120] However Sproles suffered a partially torn right hip flexor muscle and missed the next three games.

[124] On February 7, 2020, Sproles was hired as a personnel consultant in the Eagles' football operations department, alongside former teammate Brent Celek.