Addicted at 15. NFL Star at 30. | Darren Waller

Darren Waller was one of the most talented players in football.Georgia Tech standout. NFL draft pick. Pro Bowl tight end. Massive contracts. Fame. Success. But behind the scenes, he was spiraling. Addiction started at 15. Pills. Alcohol. Failed drug tests. Suspensions. A fentanyl overdose that nearly killed him. Eventually, the NFL banned him for a year. This conversation goes way deeper than football. We talk about identity, addiction, recovery, fame, relationships, loneliness, rebuilding your life from scratch, and what happens when you finally stop running from yourself. Darren opens up about rehab, working at Sprouts after losing football, fighting his way back to the NFL, signing life-changing contracts, his marriage and divorce, retiring from the game, and finding purpose through sobriety, music, and helping others recover. One of the most honest conversations we’ve had. Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT15” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com/ Code "RIDEOUT" Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Darren Waller Joins (00:29) Music Roots and Passion (01:56) Atlanta Upbringing and Academics (04:58) Georgia Tech Grind (06:25) Position Switch and NFL Dreams (08:50) High School Arrest and Fallout (13:42) Addiction Begins (15:59) Identity and Belonging (20:51) College Partying and Arrest (24:42) Scouts Notice and Draft Path (31:16) Agents Combine and 40 Time (33:15) Drafted by Ravens (33:58) Combine Lies and Red Flags (35:24) NFL Money and Pill Supply (38:36) Rookie Camp and Injury Spiral (40:05) Switch to Tight End (40:28) Failed Tests and Suspension (43:15) Touchdowns and Shoulder Tear (46:33) Banned and Fentanyl Overdose (50:32) Detox and Rehab Breakthrough (51:40) Sprouts Job and Rebuilding (54:22) Training for Comeback (57:17) Raiders Chance and Breakout (01:00:04) Sobriety and Self Belief (01:03:40) NAD Plus Sponsor Break (01:04:44) Big Contract Setup (01:05:17) First Big Extension (01:06:54) Handling Fame and Money (01:07:37) Frugal Lifestyle Choices (01:09:53) Giving Back Through Foundation (01:10:50) Love Addiction and Marriage (01:16:01) Giants Trade and Retirement (01:21:20) Year Off and Self Work (01:23:02) Unretiring With Dolphins (01:27:15) Injury Comeback and Free Agency (01:29:19) Books Music and Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices