OLATHE, Kan. — Darren Sproles was back where it all began Monday.
"It was great," Sproles said. "As a kid, you kind of dream of this."
The former Philadelphia Eagle was first an Olathe North Eagle, winning the Simone Award as the best high school football player in Kansas City in 2000.
Fast forward two decades, and Sproles was honored by Olathe with a key to the city Monday. The Olathe mayor Michael Copeland, Sproles' favorite teacher growing up, and even his barber all spoke at the ceremony.
Sproles also met students at Central Elementary School. The children were challenged to an essay contest on perseverance that used Sproles overcoming concerns about his size as an example.
"I really want the kids to see when you really work hard at something, you can do anything," Sproles said.
Kansas State was the only major college to offer Sproles out of high school, and it paid off for the Wildcats. Sproles starred in Manhattan and was drafted into the NFL in 2005.
Sproles spent 15 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Saints and Eagles. He retired in fifth place on the all-time all-purpose yards list.
He now is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles front office.
"I never wanted to be a coach," Sproles said. "My next goal job is to be a GM [general manager]."
