When Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum tied the knot in March 2023, the sports world basically went into a frenzy. It was a Las Vegas fairy tale. You had the star tight end for the Raiders and the back-to-back WNBA champion for the Aces. They were the ultimate "it" couple of Sin City.
Then, just over a year later, it all went up in smoke.
No one saw it coming. Or maybe we just weren't looking. On April 23, 2024, the news hit that Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum had filed for a joint divorce in Clark County, Nevada. Plum’s social media post shortly after was raw. She said she was "devastated" and had "walked through fire" for him.
But since then? Things have gotten a lot more complicated than a simple breakup. Between Waller’s retirement from the NFL and his pivot into a music career—plus Plum’s dominant 2025 season with the Los Angeles Sparks—there’s a lot to unpack about what actually happened when the cameras stopped flashing.
The Timeline of a Year-Long Marriage
The relationship between Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum wasn't exactly a long, slow burn. They kept things remarkably quiet at first. They reportedly started dating in 2022, applied for a marriage license in January 2023, and were married by March 4.
The trouble seemingly started almost immediately after the wedding.
Just days after the ceremony, the Raiders traded Waller to the New York Giants. Suddenly, the newly married couple was living 2,500 miles apart. Waller was in New Jersey trying to learn a new playbook; Plum was in Vegas defending a title.
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Key Dates in the Relationship:
- March 4, 2023: The couple marries in Las Vegas.
- March 14, 2023: Waller is traded to the New York Giants.
- April 23, 2024: Joint divorce petition filed in Nevada.
- June 10, 2024: Waller officially retires from the NFL at age 31.
- May 2024: Waller releases "Who Knew (Her Perspective)," a song about the split.
Why Did Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum Split?
People want a villain. It’s human nature. But if you listen to Waller talk about it now, the reality is much more about internal struggles than some dramatic betrayal.
Waller has been incredibly open about his journey. He’s a recovering addict who has faced massive demons. In interviews after the split, specifically on The Breakfast Club and various podcasts, he admitted to being "co-dependent." He confessed that he often tied his entire self-worth to the success of his relationships.
Basically, he felt like he had to "dance" or act a certain way to keep Plum around.
He called it unhealthy. He admitted he wasn't perfect. Plum, on the other hand, hasn't spilled the full story yet. She told fans that "one day" she would, but for now, she’s focused on the court. Her "walked through fire" comment suggests she gave everything she had to save the marriage, but at some point, the flame just went out.
The Music Video That Went Viral for All the Wrong Reasons
In May 2024, Waller dropped a music video for a song called "Who Knew (Her Perspective)." It was... a lot.
The video featured a woman who looked strikingly like Plum. In the climax, the woman stabs Waller in the back while they’re on a beach. It was widely panned by fans who thought it was "cringe" or a bit too much "main character energy."
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Waller explained that the song was actually an attempt to see things from the woman's side. He wanted to acknowledge the damage he’d done in past relationships. He said he’s struggled with intimacy his whole life.
"I recognize the toll it has taken on the lovers I've been close to," Waller told TMZ Sports. "I’m telling myself, from the damage I’ve done, that it’s imperative for me to heal."
Life After the Divorce: 2025 Updates
Fast forward to today. Both athletes have moved into entirely different phases of their lives.
Kelsey Plum’s Resurgence
After the trade and the divorce, Plum didn't just survive; she thrived. In the 2025 WNBA season, she emerged as a cornerstone for the Los Angeles Sparks. Honestly, her stats were incredible. She averaged 20.1 points and 5.8 assists per game and was voted to the 2025 AP All-WNBA Second Team.
She’s also become a fixture in the fashion and business world. She’s signed major deals and seems to have found a peace that wasn't there during the chaotic 2023 season.
Darren Waller’s Second Act
Waller left roughly $30 million on the table when he walked away from the NFL. That’s a lot of cash to leave behind for a hobby. But for Waller, music isn't just a hobby—it’s therapy.
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In early 2025, he released "Top Play," a track that actually got some decent reviews. It’s a lot more confident than his breakup ballad. He’s also been seen doing more public speaking about mental health through the Darren Waller Foundation.
He did briefly return to the field in late 2025, signing a short-term deal with the Miami Dolphins, but it’s clear his heart is in the studio now.
What We Can Learn from the Waller-Plum Saga
It’s easy to look at professional athletes and think they have it all figured out. They don’t. This split was a reminder that even the "perfect" match on paper can't survive if the individuals aren't whole.
Waller needed to find himself outside of being a football player or a husband. Plum needed a partner who could meet her at the level she was playing at.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Don't rush the process: Their marriage happened very quickly after they started dating publicly. Sometimes, the "honeymoon phase" hides structural cracks.
- Mental health matters more than money: Waller walking away from $30 million to find peace is a massive statement.
- Professional success doesn't fix personal pain: Plum was winning titles while her personal life was "devastated."
- Watch the music: If you're interested in Waller's growth, his 2024 EP Mind Games: It’s All in Your Head gives way more insight into his psyche than a tabloid headline ever could.
If you want to keep up with them, follow the WNBA off-season moves for Plum's next chapter in LA, and keep an ear out for Waller’s next album release. Both are proving there is absolutely life—and a lot of it—after a high-profile heartbreak.
To get a better sense of Waller's journey, you should check out his recent appearance on The Schultz Report where he talks about the intersection of sobriety and his new music career.