TAMPA, Fla. – The odds never have been in Darnell Stapleton’s favor.
Not when he had to go to junior college out of Union (N.J.) High School. Not when every team passed on him in the 2007 draft after he had two years at Rutgers. Not when he underwent knee surgery during his rookie training camp with the Steelers, causing him to miss all but one preseason game.
But here Stapleton is – the unlikely starting right guard of the AFC Champion Steelers. On Sunday, the 23-year-old has a chance at earning a Super Bowl ring.
“When the season is all said and done, then I’ll start reflecting back on the season,” Stapleton said yesterday. “I can’t stop now and see how far I came and we came as a team. I’ve got one more game to play this season and hopefully it’s my best game.”
Stapleton got his chance this season in Week 4 when starting guard Kendall Simmons ruptured an Achilles’ tendon against the Ravens, putting him out for the season. Stapleton replaced him late in the second quarter. Pittsburgh had gained just 46 yards in the first half with no touchdowns and Ben Roethlisberger was sacked three times. In the second half with Stapleton in there, they had 191 yards, scored two touchdowns and Roethlisberger was not sacked.
“Everybody that’s on this team is a competitor,” Stapleton said. “That competitive spirit doesn’t allow you to accept not playing. You’re always competing and trying to get better so that you can one day get on that field. Then when you’re on that field, you have to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to show that you can perform at this level.”
Stapleton’s teammates knew he was prepared when Simmons went down.
“I knew just by looking at him he was ready,” tackle Willie Colon said. “He met the challenge and never looked like he was fazed by anything. There are times where he struggles, but he just keeps on plugging.”
That’s what Stapleton learned growing up in Union. After a strong high school career, Stapleton didn’t have the grades to go right to a four-year college. Instead he spent two years at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. He transferred to Rutgers in 2005, and became a two-year starter at center.
If the Steelers win on Sunday, Stapleton will be the third player in a row from Rutgers to win the Super Bowl. He talked last week with Colts linebacker Gary Brackett and Giants center Shaun O’Hara, the two Scarlet Knights who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in the last two years. They told Stapleton what to expect, and O’Hara advised him to buy a camcorder to record his trip.
For Stapleton, the recording will be a reminder of his unlikely journey.
