The Young Business Leaders’ Fall Luncheon
On
Tuesday, the 12th
of October, 2010
The Hilton
Hotel
Our
distinguished speaker:
Danny Wuerrffel
1996 Heisman Trophy Winner
Danny Wuerffel was born May 27, 1974 in Pensacola, Florida. He grew up as
the son of an Air-force Chaplin, living all over the
country
as well as three years in
Spain. Danny graduated as
valedictorian of Fort Walton Beach High School in Florida,
where he led his football team to the state championship.
For higher education, he chose the University of Florida.
While at the
University
of Florida,
Danny led the Gators to four SEC championships and a
National title. He won the 1996 Heisman trophy, the William
V. Campbell Award, (formerly known as the Draddy award for
the
Nation's
top student-athlete), and set 17 NCAA and University of Florida
records. He graduated with High Honors and earned his
bachelor's degree in Public Relations.
The
New Orleans
Saints drafted Danny in 1997. After three years with the
Saints, Danny played with the NFL's European league, winning
the World Bowl Championship and was selected the league's
MVP by the European media. Danny played one season with each
of the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins.
In 2004, Danny decided to retire from professional football to
work full time with Desire Street Ministries (www.desirestreet.org),
which was started to transform one of
America's impoverished neighborhoods in
the Ninth Ward of New Orleans into a desirable place to live. In
2008, the Desire Street Ministries headquarters moved to
Atlanta
in order to increase the vision set years ago in New Orleans of encouraging and empowering
local leaders across the country to transform their
neighborhoods through spiritual and community development.
Danny is a popular speaker, sharing how his experiences playing
football have helped shape his life, and has written one
book, "Danny Wuerffel's Tales from the Gator Swamp:
Reflections of Faith and Football."
His wife, Jessica, is
his best friend. They have two sons, Jonah and Joshua, and a
daughter, Macy
