Wuerffel was born in Florida the son of a Lutheran minister who was a chaplain in the US Air Force. That job led to several moves for the family and Danny spending time in South Carolina, Nebraska, Colorado and Spain. Wuerffel approached each stop as a learning lesson and also used sports to help make friends. Danny played basketball and football in high school. He helped lead his high school football team to a state championship in 1991 and was named the top high school recruit in Florida. Following visits to Alabama, Florida State and Florida, Wuerffel chose to play for the Gators and head coach Steve Spurrier. After redshirting in 1992 and sharing the quarterback duties for two seasons, Danny became the starter in 1995 and led the Gators to the National Championship game twice, eventually winning in 1996 over in-state rival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy in 1996 and would later be inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, the Gator Football Ring of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame. The New Orleans Saints drafted Wuerffel in 1997 and he would spend three years with the Saints. His pro career also took him to Germany playing for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe where he was the MVP of World Bowl 2000. After additional NFL stops in Green Bay, Chicago and Washington, Wuerffel retired in 2004 but returned to New Orleans. It was during his playing days in the city that he first discovered Desire Street Ministries and volunteered. Now the Executive Director at Desire Streets, Wuerffel shares his story and tells us how he’s used the Heisman Trophy to make a difference in his community.
