Amara Darboh
{{Short description|Sierra Leonean-born American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Amara Darboh
| image = Amara Darboh in 2017.jpg
| caption = Amara Darboh in 2017
| current_team =
| number = 84
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|02|01}}
| birth_place = Freetown, Sierra Leone
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 215
| high_school = Dowling Catholic
(West Des Moines, Iowa)
| college = Michigan
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 106
| pastteams =
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2017}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2020|2021}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2016)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 8
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 71
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = DarbAm00
}}
Amara Darboh (born February 1, 1994) is a Sierra Leonean-born former American football wide receiver. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. A native of Sierra Leone, Darboh was orphaned during the Sierra Leone Civil War and moved to Iowa at age seven. He enrolled at the University of Michigan and was the Wolverines' leading receiver with 58 catches in 2016.
Early years
Darboh was born in Sierra Leone, Africa, in 1994.{{Cite web |url=http://btn.com/2015/10/02/pregame-profile-learn-the-amazing-story-of-michigan-wr-amara-darboh/ |title=Learn the amazing story of Michigan WR Amara Darboh |date=October 2, 2015 |publisher=Big Ten Network}} At the age of two, Darboh's parents were killed, and he left the family's home in Freetown with his siblings to escape the violent Sierra Leone Civil War that left over 50,000 dead.{{Cite web |last=Drahold |first=Byron |date=May 1, 2017 |title=New Seahawks wide receiver Amara Darboh's amazing journey |url=http://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2017/05/01/seahawks-new-wide-receiver-amara-darbohs-amazing-journey |access-date=May 26, 2017 |website=Seahawks Wire|publisher=USA Today}} The family lived for a time in Gambia and Senegal. The family settled in Iowa when Darboh was seven years old.{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependent.com/sports/commentary/bob_hamar/hamar-darboh-is-an-american-success-story/article_01f0cd08-668f-11e6-8172-c70b613b6497.html |title=Darboh is an American success story |last=Bob Hamar |date=August 19, 2016 |work=The Grand Island Independent}} Darboh was taken in by the Schaefer family in Des Moines and attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and would go on to play high school football at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.{{Cite news |url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/from-war-time-orphan-to-big-time-football-michigan-recruit-amara-darboh-tells-survivalist-tale/ |title=War-time orphan to big-time football: Michigan recruit Amara Darboh survives to become Freetown's Finest |last=Kyle Meinke |date=January 29, 2012 |work=The Ann Arbor News}}
College career
Darboh enrolled at the University of Michigan and has played college football for the Michigan Wolverines starting in 2012. As a true freshman in 2012, he appeared in four games as a backup at wide receiver and 11 games on special teams. He then missed the 2013 season due to a foot injury sustained prior to the start of the season.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/amara_darboh_811603.html |title=Amara Darboh Bio |work=Mgoblue.com |access-date=September 10, 2016 |publisher=University of Michigan}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/03/michigan_wr_amara_darboh_sense.html |title=Michigan WR Amara Darboh senses big opportunity, but still focused on helping others |last=Nick Baumgardner |date=March 26, 2015 |work=Mlive.com}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/amara_darboh_hoping_to_bring_a.html |title=Amara Darboh hopes to bring a little extra to the Michigan offense, in more ways than one |last=Brendan F. Quinn |date=August 13, 2014 |work=Mlive.com}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/03/michigan_wr_amara_darboh_feels.html |title=Michigan WR Amara Darboh feels 100 percent after foot injury but still limited in spring practice |last=Kyle Austin |date=March 27, 2014 |work=Mlive.com}}
Darboh saw his first significant playing time as a redshirt sophomore in 2014. He appeared in 12 games, eight of them as a starter at wide receiver. His best game of the season was against Indiana on November 1, as he had nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite news |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/amara-darboh-michigan-footballs-best-kept-secret |title=Amara Darboh: Michigan football's best-kept secret |last=Alexa Dettelbach |date=November 4, 2014 |work=The Michigan Daily}} Over the course of the entire 2014 season, Darboh was Michigan's second leading receiver (trailing only Devin Funchess) with 36 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/112914aab.html |title=Michigan Football Statistics (12-game Totals) |date=November 29, 2014 |website=Mgoblue.com |publisher=University of Michigan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921013750/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/112914aab.html |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016}}
As a redshirt junior in 2015, Darboh appeared in 13 games, including nine as a starter at wide receiver. In the season opener against Utah, Darboh had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Darboh also became a United States citizen in September 2016.{{Cite news |url=http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/michigans-darboh-becomes-us-citizen-and-makes-amazing-catch |title=Michigan's Darboh Becomes US Citizen and Makes Amazing Catch |last=Larry Lage |date=September 26, 2015 |publisher=Associated Press}}{{Cite news |url=http://michiganjournal.org/2015/09/29/lindsay-darbohs-wild-american-week/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930102548/http://michiganjournal.org/2015/09/29/lindsay-darbohs-wild-american-week/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |title=Darboh's Wild, American Week |last=Ricky Lindsay |date=September 25, 2016 |work=The Michigan Journal}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/09/24/michigan-football-amara-darboh/72739304/ |title=U-M's Darboh finishes long journey to U.S. citizenship |last=Mark Snyder |date=September 27, 2015 |work=Detroit Free Press}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2015/09/24/michigan-wolverines-amara-darboh-becomes-united-states-citizen |title=Michigan WR Amara Darboh grateful to become U.S. citizen |date=September 24, 2015 |publisher=Sports Illustrated}} Against Indiana on November 14, he had eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Over the course of the season, he led the Wolverines with 58 receptions, and his 727 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns ranked second among the Michigan receivers, trailing only Jehu Chesson.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/010116aad.html |title=2015 Michigan Football Statistics (13-game Totals) |date=January 1, 2016 |website=Mgoblue.com |publisher=University of Michigan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921012545/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/010116aad.html |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016}}
In August 2016, prior to the start of the 2016 season, head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Darboh, "I would say he's our top receiver right now."{{Cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2016/08/04/amara-darboh-michigan-wolverines/88278092/ |title=Everything finally lined up for U-M receiver Amara Darboh |last=Mark Snyder |date=August 4, 2016 |work=Detroit Free Press}} On September 10, 2016, Darboh caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard touchdown pass from Wilton Speight in the first quarter.{{Cite news |url=http://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/9/10/12873436/amara-darboh-talks-chemistry-with-wilton-speight-jake-butt-jehu-chesson-michigan |title=Amara Darboh talks chemistry with Wilton Speight |last=Evan Petzold |date=September 10, 2016 |publisher=Maize N Brew}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Dan |date=September 10, 2016 |title=Michigan airs it out early in blowout win over UCF |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/136258/michigan-airs-it-out-early-in-blowout-win-over-ucf |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=ESPN.com}} On October 29, 2016, he had the best game of his college career, catching eight passes for 165 yards.{{Cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2016/10/29/michigan-wolverines-football-amara-darboh-michigan-state-spartans/92984002/ |title=Michigan WR Amara Darboh rips apart MSU in last chance to beat rival |last=George Sipple |date=October 29, 2016 |work=Detroit Free Press}}{{Cite web |last=Wenzel |first=Matt |date=2016-10-30 |title=Amara Darboh dialed in as Michigan's top receiver, enjoys career day vs. MSU |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2016/10/michigans_amara_darboh_sets_ca.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=mlive}} Through the first eight games of the 2016 season, Darboh was the leading Michigan receiver with 38 catches for 664 yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/102916aad.html |title=2016 Michigan Football Statistics (8-game Totals) |website=Mgoblue.com |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=October 29, 2016}} During the 2016 season, Darboh was the team's leading receiver with 52 receptions for 826 yards and seven touchdowns. Boasting two 100-yard receiving performances, Darboh ranks fourth in reception yards per game in the Big Ten, averaging 68.8 yards.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112916aaa.html |title=Peppers, Lewis Lead All 11 Defenders Honored by B1G |date=November 29, 2016 |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=November 29, 2016 |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622192605/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112916aaa.html |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Following the 2016 season, Darboh was named to the All-Big Ten Conference offensive second-team.{{Cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/16fbawardwinners.pdf |title=2016 Big Ten Individual Award Winners |date=November 30, 2016 |website=www.grfx.cstv.com |publisher=Big Ten Conference |access-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928055540/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/16fbawardwinners.pdf |url-status=dead }}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
|height ft = 6
|height in = 1 5/8
|weight = 214
|dash = 4.45
|ten split = 1.52
|twenty split = 2.58
|shuttle = 4.30
|cone drill = 6.81
|vertical = 36.5
|broad ft = 10
|broad in = 4
|bench = 17
|arm span = 32 5/8
|hand span = 9 7/8
|note = All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day{{Citation |title=Amara Darboh Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/amara-darboh/32004441-5203-2327-c092-d07f965cf947 |work=NFL.com |access-date=May 26, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |author-link=Gil Brandt |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Pro day results: Michigan, Cal, BYU, Akron, Utah State |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-day-results-michigan-cal-byu-akron-utah-state-0ap3000000795088 |access-date=May 26, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Seahawks Select Amara Darboh No. 106 Overall In 2017 NFL Draft |url=https://www.seahawks.com/video/seahawks-select-amara-darboh-no-106-overall-in-2017-nfl-draft-186104 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}{{Cite web |title=Amara Darboh 2017 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51684 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com}}{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Amara Darboh College Football Profile |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=122611&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
= Seattle Seahawks (first stint)=
Darboh was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round, 106th overall, in the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite news |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seattle-seahawks-select-michigan-wide-receiver-amara-darboh-with-no-106-o-186134 |title=Seattle Seahawks Select Michigan Wide Receiver Amara Darboh With No. 106 Overall Pick In 2017 NFL Draft |last=Yohannes, Aron |date=April 28, 2017 |website=Seahawks.com}} On May 23, 2017, Darboh signed a four-year deal worth $3.175 million overall with a $706,288 signing bonus.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fieldgulls.com/2017/5/25/15695012/seattle-seahawks-sign-malik-mcdowell-amara-darboh-nfl-news |title=Seahawks sign top draft choice Malik McDowell, as well as third-round pick Amara Darboh |last=Alexander, Mookie |date=May 26, 2017 |website=FieldGulls.com |publisher=SBNation |access-date=May 26, 2017}} On September 10, 2017, Darboh made his NFL debut in a 17–9 loss to the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100gnb.htm |title=Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers - September 10th, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=September 24, 2017}} In Week 2, against the San Francisco 49ers, he had his first career reception, a 16-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson, in the 12–9 victory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170sea.htm |title=San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - September 17th, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 28, 2017}}
Darboh was waived by the Seahawks on September 1, 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-set-53-man-roster |title=Seahawks Set 53-Man Roster |date=September 1, 2018 |website=Seahawks.com}}
= New England Patriots =
On September 2, Darboh was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, but was waived two days with a failed physical designation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-claim-two-players |title=Patriots claim two players |date=September 2, 2018 |website=Patriots.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-roster-moves |title=Patriots Make Roster Moves |date=September 4, 2018 |website=Patriots.com}}
=Seattle Seahawks (second stint)=
After being waived by the Patriots due to a failed physical, Darboh reverted to the Seahawks and was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/Article/Amara-Darboh-Seahawks-IR-return-121871838/ |title=Amara Darboh reverts back to Seahawks Injured Reserve |date=September 14, 2018 |website=247sports.com}} He was waived on August 27, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-make-roster-moves-adding-two-receivers |title=Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Adding Two Receivers |last=Boyle, John |date=August 27, 2019 |website=Seahawks.com}}
= Tampa Bay Buccaneers =
On September 16, 2019, Darboh was signed to the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-wr-amara-darboh-to-practice-squad-roster-move |title=Bucs Sign WR Amara Darboh to Practice Squad |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=September 16, 2019 |website=Buccaneers.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 17, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-promote-amara-darboh-practice-squad-kahzin-daniels-roster-move |title=Bucs Promote WR Amara Darboh, Bring OLB Kahzin Daniels Back |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=October 17, 2019 |website=Buccaneers.com}} He was waived on November 5.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=November 5, 2019 |title=Bucs waive Amara Darboh |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/05/bucs-waive-amara-darboh/ |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On November 18, 2019, Darboh was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.{{Cite web |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2019/11/18/amara-darboh-quadree-henderson-steelers-nfl-week-12/ |title=Steelers continue to shuffle practice squad players |last=Popejoy |first=Curt |date=November 18, 2019 |website=Steelers Wire |publisher=USA Today |access-date=2019-11-26}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 16, 2019.{{cite web|title=Darboh promoted to active roster|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/darboh-promoted-to-active-roster|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=December 16, 2019}}
Darboh was waived on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Steelers make moves to get to 53-man roster|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-to-get-to-53-man-roster|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=September 6, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Steelers add 14 to practice squad|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-add-14-to-practice-squad|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=September 6, 2020}} He was released on October 26, 2020.{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Bryan|title=Steelers Shuffle Practice Squad Wide Receivers On Monday|url=https://steelersdepot.com/2020/10/steelers-shuffle-practice-squad-wide-receivers-on-monday/|website=SteelersDepot.com|date=October 26, 2020}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On December 11, 2020, Darboh signed with the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.{{cite news |author=Bryan, Will |title=Three players activated from reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/three-players-activated-from-reserve-covid-19-list |website=Panthers.com |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2021}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 4, 2021,{{cite web|title=Panthers sign 14 players to reserve future contracts for 2021|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-sign-14-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-for-2021|author=Bryan, Will|website=Panthers.com|date=January 4, 2021}} and was released on March 15, 2021.{{cite news |title=Amara Darboh: Let go by Panthers |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/amara-darboh-let-go-by-panthers/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=March 15, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021}}
=Denver Broncos=
On June 17, 2021, Darboh signed with the Denver Broncos.{{cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |title=Broncos sign WRs Amara Darboh and De'Mornay Pierson-El|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-wrs-amara-darboh-and-de-mornay-pierson-el|work=Denver Broncos |date=June 17, 2021 |accessdate=June 17, 2021}} He was waived on August 6, 2021.{{cite web | last=Kelberman | first=Zack | title=Broncos Cut WR Amara Darboh, Activate S Jamar Johnson | website=SI.com| date=2021-08-06 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/broncos-cut-amara-darboh-activate-jamar-johnson | access-date=2025-01-18}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/amara_darboh_811603.html Michigan Wolverines bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Seahawks2017DraftPicks}}
{{Portal bar|American football|Biography|College football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darboh, Amara}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Michigan Wolverines football players
Category:Sportspeople from Freetown
Category:Players of American football from Des Moines, Iowa
Category:Sierra Leonean players of American football
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players