The marriage of Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum and NFL tight end Darren Waller hit a dead line faster than a blitzing linebacker. The couple finalized their divorce in April 2024 after a 13-month union. This was a tough transition for both athletes, who followed their private ceremony in Las Vegas on March 4, 2023. Just 10 days after they said “I do,” the Las Vegas Raiders traded Waller to the New York Giants. The Raiders received a 2023 third-round draft pick in exchange for the veteran.
The 2023 season was a tale of two careers. Plum became a prominent asset for the Aces as she led the roster to clinch consecutive WNBA championships. She averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Waller faced a different impact with the Giants. He recorded 52 receptions for 552 yards and one touchdown during his single season in New York.
By chance, the couple filed a joint petition for divorce in Clark County, Nevada, on April 23, 2024. Plum said the end of the marriage was a nightmare that broke her emotionally.
“Going through a very public divorce is something I was not expecting,” Plum said (h/t ESPN). “It felt like the rug got taken out from under me. I think people may look at me like, ‘Oh, she’s super tough.’ But this one really broke me.”
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She decided to delete social media and turned to reading her Bible:
“I deleted social media off my phone. I got a new phone, and don’t have very many people’s numbers,” Plum added. “I turned off TV and just got into reading my Bible. I’ll just say that emotionally, I’ll be feeling this for a long time.”
Inside the abrupt split of the WNBA and NFL power couple
Waller spent three and a half days in the hospital after a life-threatening emergency in November 2023. He said this mishap prompted a reflection on his identity and relationship patterns. During a heart-to-heart interview with “The Breakfast Club,” Waller said he lacked the tools for a long-term commitment.
“Anytime I’m in a relationship, I feel like I got to dance or do a certain thing for to keep this person around, almost like tying myself worth to the success of a relationship, and you realize how much you lose yourself,” Waller said.
“Realizing the impact that it was having on me and as far as making decisions that were authentic for the life that I wanted, these are things that I couldn’t say 100% yes to. You have certain conversations and realize there’s so much life ahead.”
“I feel like in a way there was a reliance on me on the relationship to give me something that, of course, I needed to come to the table without that extra baggage and with that healing already in place, and I didn’t,” he added.
#DarrenWaller gets honest on #TheBreakfastClub and a sheds light on his recent divorce w/ WNBA Star #KelseyPlum.
Check out the full interview on @youtube now! @iHeartRadio @breakfastclubam pic.twitter.com/NTNZKw3S5m— Power 105.1 (@Power1051) July 1, 2024
Waller released a music video for his song “Who Knew” on May 30, 2024. Spectators noted the female lead was akin to Plum. He retired from the NFL on June 9, 2024, to prioritize his mental well-being. Waller said his decisions caused harm to Plum and that she has every right to express her feelings. In spite of his retirement, Waller chose to reverse his decision. On July 1, 2025, he returned to the league. The Giants traded Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Now, Waller plans to manage his foundation while playing for the Dolphins. The organization provides assistance to those seeking treatment for substance abuse. Plum continues to make a name for herself as a star for the Aces.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
