Darian Durant facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Darian Durant

Durant with the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Born:	(1982-08-19) August 19, 1982 (age 42) Florence, South Carolina, U.S.
Career information
Status	Retired
CFL status	American
Position(s)	QB
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg)
College	North Carolina
High school	Florence (SC) Wilson
Hand	Right
Career history
As player
2005	Baltimore Ravens*
2006–2016	Saskatchewan Roughriders
2017	Montreal Alouettes
2018*	Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
2× Grey Cup champion (2007, 2013) CFL passing yards leader (2010) CFL passing touchdowns leader (2013) CFL record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (323)
CFL West All-Star	2009, 2013
Career stats
Passing completions	2,500
Passing attempts	4,001
Percentage	62.5
TD–INT	164–115
Passing yards	31,740
Passer rating	88.9
Playing stats at CFL.ca

Darian Bernard Durant (born August 19, 1982) is an American who used to play professional Canadian football. He was a quarterback, which is the player who throws the ball. Darian played college football at the University of North Carolina. He set many school records there for how many passes he completed and how many touchdowns he threw.

In 2006, Darian joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a free agent. By 2009, he became their main starting quarterback. He was chosen as a CFL West Division All-Star twice, in 2009 and 2013. Darian led the Roughriders to win the 101st Grey Cup in 2013, which was a huge win for the team on their home field. He also played for the Montreal Alouettes in 2017. His brother, Justin, also played professional football in the National Football League.

Early Life and School Football

Growing Up in South Carolina

Darian Durant was born on August 19, 1982, in Florence, South Carolina. His parents are Betty and Israel Durant. He grew up with three brothers and one sister. His younger brother, Justin, played for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. His older brother, Keyshawn, was also a quarterback in college.

High School Football Star

Darian went to Wilson High School in Florence, South Carolina. In his final year of high school, he led his team to the state semi-finals. He set a school record by throwing for 2,446 yards. He also tied his own record with 25 touchdown passes. Darian was recognized as a top player by several sports groups. He also played well in the South Carolina All-Star game.

College Football Success

In 2000, Darian decided to play college football at the University of North Carolina. In his first year, 2001, he set new records for first-year players. He threw 17 touchdown passes and had 1,843 passing yards. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Week five times. Darian helped his team win the 2001 Peach Bowl against Auburn.

After his college career, Darian was one of the most successful athletes at his school. He held 51 offensive records! In his second year, he set a school record for most passing yards in a single game, with 417 yards. In his third year, he set records for most passes attempted and completed in a season. Overall, he set records for career passing attempts, completions, touchdowns, and total yards. While playing football, Darian also earned a degree in African-American studies.

Professional Football Journey

Starting in the NFL

After college, Darian was not chosen in the 2005 NFL draft. However, he signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He joined their training camp and was briefly on their practice team. But he was later released because of concerns about his size.

Playing in the CFL

Darian's journey in the Canadian Football League (CFL) began when his rights were traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Then, in 2006, the Tiger-Cats traded his rights to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Years

2006-2008: Finding His Place

Darian signed with the Roughriders in May 2006. In his first year, he mostly served as a backup quarterback. He completed one pass for 14 yards. In 2007, he was on the team's active roster but did not play much. He was there when the Roughriders won the Grey Cup that year.

In 2008, Darian started to get more playing time. He started four games and helped the team win three of them. He threw seven touchdown passes that season. In January 2009, Darian signed a new contract with the Roughriders.

2009: Grey Cup Appearance

In 2009, Darian became the Roughriders' main starting quarterback. He was the first Roughrider quarterback since 1992 to start all 18 regular season games. He was known for his steady play and his ability to run with the ball. Darian was nominated for the CFL Most Outstanding Player award and was named a West Division All-Star.

The Roughriders finished first in their division for the first time since 1976. They won the West Final and made it to the Grey Cup against Montreal. Darian scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, putting his team ahead. However, Montreal made a comeback and won the game by one point. Darian finished the season with 4,348 passing yards and 501 rushing yards. He threw 24 touchdown passes.

2010: Another Grey Cup Run

In 2010, Darian aimed to reduce his interceptions. The season started with a thrilling game against Montreal, which the Roughriders won in overtime. Darian threw five touchdown passes and had 478 passing yards in that game. He was named the CFL's Offensive Player of the Week.

Later that season, Darian had a career-high game, throwing for 500 yards. He became only the second Roughrider quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. He was again nominated for the CFL Most Outstanding Player Award.

Darian led the Roughriders to a 10–8 record. They won their playoff games and reached the 98th Grey Cup for the second year in a row, again against Montreal. The Roughriders lost a close game, 21–18. This season, Darian set career highs in passing yards (5,542) and rushing yards (618).

2011-2012: Dealing with Injuries

The 2011 season was tough for Darian and the Roughriders. The team struggled, and Darian's performance dropped. He played with a broken bone in his foot, which caused him to miss the last two games. Despite this, his contract was extended through the 2014 season.

In 2012, Darian helped the Roughriders start strong with a 3–0 record. He did not throw any interceptions in those games. He also led the team to a big 52–0 win against Winnipeg. However, he suffered a neck injury and then a hip injury, which limited his playing time. He helped the team reach the playoffs, but they lost a close game to Calgary.

2013: Grey Cup Champions!

The 2013 season was one of Darian's best. He set a career high with 31 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. He also set a CFL record by attempting 212 passes without an interception. His first interception did not happen until the ninth game of the season.

Darian led the Roughriders to an 11–7 record. They won their playoff games, beating the BC Lions and Calgary. Then, Darian led the Riders to their fourth Grey Cup championship! They won the game on their home field at Mosaic Stadium, which was a very special moment.

2014-2016: More Injuries and Records

In 2014, Darian started strong, leading the Roughriders to an 8-2 record. But he suffered several injuries, including a torn tendon in his right elbow that needed surgery. This injury made him miss the rest of the season.

Darian returned in 2015, but in the very first game, he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury. This injury caused him to miss the entire season. The Roughriders had a tough year, finishing with only 3 wins.

In 2016, Darian came back from his Achilles injury. He started the first game and played well. Later in the season, he set a new CFL record: 323 consecutive pass attempts without an interception! The Roughriders improved their record, but still missed the playoffs. Darian also played in the final game at historic Taylor Field, which was a special moment for the team and fans.

Montreal Alouettes

In January 2017, Darian's rights were traded to the Montreal Alouettes. He signed a three-year contract with them. However, Darian struggled in Montreal, winning only three of his 15 starts. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns that season. In January 2018, he was released by the Alouettes.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Darian signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in January 2018. However, on May 11, 2018, Darian Durant announced his retirement from professional football. This was a surprise to the Bombers, who expected him to be a backup quarterback.

After Football

In 2023, the 2013 Grey Cup team, which Darian led, was honored and added to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honour. Darian returned to Saskatchewan for the celebrations. In 2024, Darian himself was inducted into the Plaza of Honour.

Statistics

Playoff Games

Grey Cup Games

Personal Life

Darian Durant has a tattoo on his left arm that says "Against all odds – I'm gonna shine." He feels this phrase describes his life journey. His teammates and coaches say he is a very determined player who pushes through injuries and sickness.

To celebrate the Roughriders' 100th anniversary, Darian worked with a local Ford dealer. They created a special limited edition Ford F-150 truck named after him. These trucks had Darian's license plate, his "DD4" logo, and Roughriders mud flaps. Only four of these trucks were made, and $500 from each sale went to KidSport, a charity Darian supported.