Pro-Connections: Kenneth Darby - St. Louis Rams
During the 2007 NFL Draft, Kenneth Darby, renowned Alabama running back, was selected in the seventh
round by Tampa Bay. After a brief stint at both Tampa Bay and Atlanta, Darby started his career for
the St. Louis Rams. At the age of 27, Darby has already begun to make a name for himself in the
professional football realm.
Darby started his football career at Alabama as a walk-on in 2003. During the 2004 season, he
began to show the SEC what talents he had. The Tide went 6-6 that season under the reign of Coach
Mike Shula. Darby was a second-team All-SEC. He had a total of 239 carries for a career high of
1,062 yards. He also had a career-high 8 touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 74 yards and
one score.
In 2005, Darby finished the season as one of the most recognized running backs in the SEC. In his
senior season, Darby needed 1,000 yards to surpass the record of former all-star Shaun Alexander.
However, he rushed for only 835 yards. His total career statistics at Alabama were 668 attempts,
3,139 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Now in his third season at St. Louis, Darby has an overall career of 27 carries, 88 yards, and 1
touchdown. He has played a total of 11 professional games, including 10 with the Rams and one as a
rookie for Tampa Bay.
Darby scored his first career touchdown in a game against the Redskins in September. “That’s my No.
1 so far in the NFL,” Darby said. “I really haven’t had too many highlights in the NFL as a running
back. I have a lot in college but this is my number one in the NFL. I have got a lot more to come,
though.”
Many have wondered if Darby could handle the pressures that come with NFL football, and the
expectations of the fans. However, Darby credits his playing at Alabama as a precursor to the
experiences he has on the field in the pros. “At Alabama, we sat 101,000 fans so I was kind of
used to it,” Darby said. “I wasn’t really worried about the pressure or the noise of the crowd or
anything like that. I was just concerned about my job at hand, executing my assignment like I have
been doing all week in practice. I was ready for the challenge and ready for the opportunity.”
Darby has had a difficult time proving his worth in the NFL. To this, he comments, “I can’t worry
about things I can’t control,” Darby said. “The only thing I can worry about is what I have control
over and that’s my attitude each day I go out there on that field and what I have got to do to get
better.”
Although his current records aren’t what most would deem spectacular, Kenneth Darby has started to
make his mark in the NFL. His career at Alabama was one of great success, and he will carry that on
to the Rams and prove another success in professional football for the Tide.