MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Jan. 6, 2009) — San Diego Chargers' Darren Sproles, made history Jan. 3, with 328 all-purpose yards with 23 carries for 105 yards, 5 catches, 3 punt returns and 4 kickoff returns. It was the second-best yard gain in the Chargers post-season history and ranks as the third most all-purpose yards by a player in a single post-season game in NFL history.

Sproles is featured in a new mini poster of Famous People Who Stutter, which is available free to download from the Stuttering Foundation, www.stutteringhelp.org.

He joins other sports legends who stutter, such as Bill Walton, Kenyon Martin, Ken Venturi and Bob Love, as the 18th famous person on the poster. Others include actor James Earl Jones, Marilyn Monroe and Winston Churchill.

Sproles said he learned to take his time while answering questions during an interview. “I don’t have to be in a hurry to say something.”

“I remember a long time ago my grandpa told me “don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do anything because you stutter.” Sproles said.  “I always remembered that and worked hard at improving my speech.” 

“Darren Sproles will be a great source of inspiration to young people who struggle with stuttering,” says Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. She notes that speech therapists, school clinicians, teachers and others often hang the posters in a prominent place in their office.

Note to reporters and editors: A photo of Darren Sproles and PDF copies of the 18 Famous People Who Stutter brochure/poster can be e-mailed to you. A media resource kit on stuttering is also available to help with stories or sidebars