Former Heisman Trophy Winner Danny Wuerffel Doesn't Let Hurricane Katrina Stop Him from Serving New Orleans

Former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel was serving New Orleans even before Hurricane Katrina. He didn't let the hurricane's destruction of his own home or the location of the ministry he was involved with, Desire Street Ministries, stop him. The ministry was relocated to Florida, and he has still been involved in building churches and rebuilding homes and communities in New Orleans. There are plans to rebuild a home for Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans.

Wuerffel led Florida to four Southeastern Conference titles between 1993 and 1996. He won the national championship and Heisman Trophy in 1996, as the quarterback led the Florida Gators to a decisive 52-20 victory over archrival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. For his career at the school, Danny Wuerffel set Florida records with 708 pass completions in 1,170 attempts for 10,875 yards. He also set the single game Florida passing mark with 462 yards in a game against Arkansas. He wasn't as successful in the NFL, although he did play seven seasons for several teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins. He did win the MVP award of the World Bowl, however, while playing in NFL Europe in 2000, as he led the Rhein Fire to a 13-10 victory over the Scottish Claymores. He was also successful in high school, as he led Fort Walton Beach (Florida) to an undefeated season as a senior and the Florida AAAA championship.

Danny Wuerffel red about a man who moved from Georgia to the Desire neighborhood of New Orleans, once rated among the worst neighborhoods in the country. That man began a ministry to kids. The former Heisman Trophy winner decided he would serve New Orleans too and began his own involvement with Desire Street Ministries. He served while still playing in the NFL. He turned right to go to football practice and left to go to the ministry and reported later that it got harder every day turn right. In 2004 he retired from the NFL and entered full-time ministry for Desire Street.