Danny Wuerffel
Danny Wuerffel
Humanitarian. Heisman Winner. National Champion.
Danny’s accurate arm and ability to make split second decisions was first recognized when playing in Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. and named Florida’s player of the year his senior year, as well as Valedictorian.
At University of Florida, Danny led the Gators to four SEC Championships and the National Championship, under the leadership of Coach Steve Spurrier. Wuerffel set 17 NCAA and UF records, led the nation in touchdown passes, earned the SEC Player of the Year title and culminated his career with the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1996, exactly 30 years after his legendary coach had won the distinguished award. Danny’s 3.7 GPA and leadership off the field awarded him the Campbell Award presented to the nation’s top scholar athlete, one of only two athletes to earn both the Heisman and the Campbell Award.
During his NFL years with the Saints, Danny volunteered after practice with Desire Street Ministries, serving in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, a neighborhood ranked by HUD as one of the worst in the country. He felt so strongly about the pivotal role Desire Street plays in reshaping communities he became their Executive Director following his NFL career with the Packers, Bears and Redskins. Under Danny’s leadership, Desire Street expanded its reach to support leaders and ministries in under-resourced neighborhoods throughout the Southeast. Desire Street provides coaching, training, retreats and many other resources to the heroes leading change in neighborhoods that need the most support.
Wuerffel resides in Atlanta with his wife Jessica and three children. He continues to serve as Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries, speaks at leadership and sales conferences and enjoys coaching his children in their various activities.
- Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Recipient
- 2020 Humanitarian of the Year Award
- 2015 Academic All-America Hall of Fame
- 2013 College Football Hall of Fame
- 2000 The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame “Tradition of Excellence Award”
- 2000 MVP of World Bowl, Europe NFL
- 1996 National Champion
- 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner
- 1996 Campbell Award (Top Student Athlete)
- 1996 Maxwell Award - Player of the Year Recipient
- 1996 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- 1996 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
- 1995 Davey O’Brien Award Recipient
- 1995 SEC Player of the Year
- 1996 SEC Player of the Year
- Presidential appointee to the White House Council for Service and Civic Participation
Desire Street Ministries supports under-resourced neighborhood leaders to positively influence their communities through leadership training, economic development, spiritual and educational resources.
Taking on the role of Executive Director allowed Wuerffel to lead an expansion of the community development work Desire Street Ministries offered to impact neighborhoods throughout the Southeast.