Darrius Heyward-Bey is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on February 26, 1987, in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended the University of Maryland, where he played college football for the Terrapins.
Heyward-Bey was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, seventh overall. He played for the Raiders for four seasons, from 2009 to 2012, and was known for his speed and ability to stretch the field. In his rookie season, he caught nine passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. He had his best season in 2011, when he caught 64 passes for 975 yards and four touchdowns.
After leaving the Raiders, Heyward-Bey played for the Indianapolis Colts for one season, in 2013. He caught 29 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, where he played for three seasons. He was primarily used as a special teams player and caught only 26 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns during his time with the Steelers.
Heyward-Bey's final season in the NFL was in 2018, when he played for the Steelers. He caught only two passes for 47 yards and a touchdown that season. He announced his retirement from the NFL in April 2019.
Throughout his career, Heyward-Bey was known for his speed and athleticism. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.30 seconds at the 2009 NFL Combine, which was the fastest time among all participants that year. He was also a standout track and field athlete in high school, where he won multiple state championships in the 100-meter dash and long jump.
Off the field, Heyward-Bey was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Darrius Heyward-Bey Foundation in 2010, which aims to provide educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth. He also participated in various community service initiatives throughout his career, including visiting children's hospitals and hosting football camps for young athletes.
Overall, Heyward-Bey had a successful career in the NFL, despite not living up to his high draft pick status. He finished his career with 209 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was a reliable special teams player and a respected veteran presence in the locker room.
🏈