Darren Waller ha ido de estar en la escuadra de practicas a ser seleccionado a su primer Pro Bowl en tan solo dos años y por ello está agradecido por una sola cosa: El fracaso
En el ultimo capítulo del podcast Huddle and Flow con Jim Trotter y Steve Wyche, Waller compartió lo que significa para él haber sido seleccionado al Pro Bowl y como es que no hubiera tenido el éxito que ha logrado sin haber experimentado algunas dificultades en el camino.
"La primera palabra que se me ocurre: necesario," dijo Waller cuando le preguntaron como describiría su camino. "Hay muchas maneras en las que viví antes, quería la aprobación de otros, la afirmación de otros y solo ser aceptado. No quería sobresalir; quería ser normal. No quería ser diferente, pero ahora mi vida ha cambiado, he podido sobresalir al ser diferente."
"Ir en contra de a corriente y hacer muchas cosas que otros probablemente no hacen, eso es lo que me ha ayudado a estar donde estoy hoy. Así que tuve que fracasar, tuve que sufrir todo y fue necesario para poder estar hoy aquí."
Ha sido bien documentado su esfuerzo en contra de la adicción a la droga la cual ha inspirado a muchos en todo el país y su éxito en el campo le ha permitido compartir su historia con otros. En 14 partidos en el 2020, Waller ha registrado 93 recepciones para 967 yardas y ocho touchdowns. En su posición solo está por debajo de Travis Kelce de los Kansas City Chiefs en yardas aéreas y está entre los 15 mejores, incluyendo a receptores abiertos.
Waller llamó la atención de sus colegas desde la temporada pasada por su excelente desempeño, pero en el 2020, se ha ganado el respeto de ellos al ser seleccionado a su primer Pro Bowl.
"Definitivamente es un honor el ser seleccionado porque no puedes engañar a esos jugadores que están contigo en la trinchera," dijo Waller. "Saben el deporte y quien realmente se está esforzando por superarse, así que significa mucho para mi que venga de parte de ellos con quienes juego, eso es lo que mas importa."
El Pro Bowl es un honor que no reciben muchos jugadores, pero no es el único objetivo para Waller. Es solo un capítulo en su historia de la cual todavía queda mucho por escribir, pero es muy satisfactorio y un momento en el cual puede reflexionar. Se siente muy bendecido de llegar a este momento en su vida, pero mañana se despertará al igual que cada día, ansioso de seguir esforzándose.
"Siento que para poder dar lo mejor de mí y que merezco este reconocimiento tengo que seguir mejorando, creciendo y no darme por satisfecho."
With his selection to the 2021 Pro Bowl, view the top photos of tight end Darren Waller during the 2020 season so far.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate after connecting on a 1-yard touchdown pass during the regular season home game against the New Orleans Saints.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate after connecting on a 1-yard touchdown pass during the regular season home game against the New Orleans Saints.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the New Orleans Saints.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Buffalo Bills.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 5-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) blocks during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 1-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) is congratulated by center Rodney Hudson (61) after making a 1-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) goes up for a catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith (72) and tight end Foster Moreau (87) after making a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 9-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) heads to the end zone on a 38-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) heads to the end zone on a 38-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates during the regular season away game against the New York Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 35-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 35-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 35-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 35-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
