-
Former Washington State running back Derek Sparks has a piece of his alma mater with him as he rests in a hospital bed in Houston. Sparks is battling pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in August.
Derek Sparks Courtesy
-
On a mirror in his Houston hospital room, former Washington State running back Derek Sparks has drawn up a “35 blast” play. Before a recent biopsy, doctors needed Sparks’ blood potassium level to reach 3.5 millimoles per liter.
Derek Sparks Courtesy
-
In 2018, after watching his daughter Ze’Lee battle leukemia, Derek Sparks created the Cleats vs. Cancer game to raise money for pediatric cancer.
Derek Sparks Facebook
-
Washington State running back Derek Sparks escapes the grasp of a Fresno State tackler during a 1992 game.
Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
-
At Washington State’s bookstore, Derek Sparks poses for a photo with Cougar fans at a signing session for his book, “Lessons of the Game: The Betrayal of an All-American Football Star.”
Derek Sparks Courtesy
-
Derek Sparks pounds ahead for short yardage in the second quarter of the 1994 Apple Cup between Washington State and Washington. Sparks was the workhorse running back for the Cougars in their win over the Huskies.
Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
-
Pacific Lutheran football player Max Larson stretches before the team’s recent game against Lewis & Clark. PLU players wore pink socks with special logos commemorating former Washington State running back Derek Sparks as he battles pancreatic cancer. Sparks coaches PLU’s running backs.
Tim Mackey Pacific Lutheran
-
Pacific Lutheran players wearing pink socks for Derek Sparks hold hands before Saturday’s game against Lewis & Clark.
Tim Mackey Pacific Lutheran
-
Former Washington State running back Derek Sparks is now a running backs coach at Division III Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma.
John Froschaur Pacific Lutheran
-
Among his other jobs, former Washington State Derek Sparks has developed a knack for public speaking. He is pictured here delivering a speech to a group of students at Bordeaux Elementary in Shelton, Wash.
Derek Sparks Courtesy
-
Derek Sparks poses with his daughter, Ze’Lee, in July 2018. Three years before Sparks, the former Washington State running back, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Ze’Lee overcame a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Derek Sparks Courtesy
Share on Social Media
Related Content