WNBA Queen and NFL Hunk Call It Quits-Behind Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller's Divorce

Kelsey Plum, star point guard for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, and Darren Waller, standout tight end for the NFL’s New York Giants, have split after just one year of marriage. The high-profile athlete couple stunned fans when they announced their divorce on April 23rd, 2024. What went wrong for the sports power duo? Let’s take a closer look at why WNBA Queen and NFL Hunk Call It Quits-Behind Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller’s Divorce.

A Whirlwind Romance

Plum, 29, and Waller, 31, first met when Waller played for the Las Vegas Raiders. They started dating sometime that year and their romance quickly heated up. The pair went public with their relationship, frequently posting loving photos together on social media. In 2023, Waller popped the question after just over a year of dating. Their engagement happened at the peak of both their careers – Plum was fresh off winning a gold medal with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, while Waller was coming off a Pro Bowl season.

The couple had a short engagement and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on March 12th, 2023. Just one week later, Waller was traded to the New York Giants in a shocking NFL move. The newlyweds suddenly faced being bi-coastal with Plum playing in Las Vegas and Waller on the opposite side of the country in New York. It was a major test right out of the gate for the athletic duo. “It’s not how anybody would really want to start being married. But if you ever find yourself trying to resist change, it’s never going to be a good thing,” Waller told the New York Post.

Long Distance Takes Its Toll

Plum and Waller attempted to make their bi-coastal marriage work, gushing over each other in interviews and on social media. Plum was in the midst of her 2022 WNBA season with the Aces while Waller adjusted to his new team in New York. The distance clearly took its toll; in January 2024, Waller posted a cryptic TikTok video with the caption “When ya girl bout to leave you.”

Just three months later, the couple jointly filed for divorce. Plum released a statement saying “I’m devastated. I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it’s time to go.” Waller has yet to publicly address the split.

Why Did The Sports Power Couple Split?

While neither party has directly cited the cause behind their sudden divorce, there are a few likely factors at play:

– The long distance and bicoastal arrangement proved too difficult to maintain. Plum and Waller spent a significant amount of time apart right after their wedding, an immense challenge for a brand new marriage.

– Waller’s unexpected NFL trade created upheaval and stress. The couple had just settled down together in Las Vegas when Waller was abruptly shipped to the Giants. The trade likely introduced instability and uncertainty into their relationship.

– The constant spotlight and public scrutiny that comes with their high-profile careers may have added strain. Plum and Waller attempted to navigate the early days of marriage while also handling the pressures and demands that come with being star athletes.

– Rumors of infidelity or dishonesty. Neither party has indicated this, but it often plays a role in celebrity divorces.

While fans hoped Plum and Waller could beat the odds, perhaps the challenges surrounding long distance love, new careers in different cities, and non-stop public attention proved lethal. The queen of the WNBA and her NFL hunk called it quits just as quickly as their whirlwind romance began. Here’s wishing them both happiness and healing as they move forward. I sincerely hope you find this “WNBA Queen and NFL Hunk Call It Quits-Behind Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller’s Divorce” article helpful.

Dory Larrabee Zayas

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