Darrius Heyward-Bey Net Worth

Darrius Heyward-Bey is a retired American professional football player who has an estimated net worth of $14 million. He played in the National Football League from 2009 to 2018, beginning his career with the Oakland Raiders before later playing for the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Known for his speed and athleticism, Heyward-Bey built his wealth primarily through his NFL contracts during nearly a decade in professional football.

Darrius Heyward-Bey Net Worth	$14 Million
Date of Birth	February 26, 1987
Place of Birth	Silver Spring, United States

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Darrius Heyward-Bey Salary

During his time in the NFL, Darrius Heyward-Bey earned approximately $38 million in salary.

Despite earning millions during his career, he became known for his disciplined financial habits. Heyward-Bey reportedly lived on a strict budget throughout much of his career, saving a large portion of his after-tax earnings. He was guided in managing his finances by his mother, who works as a certified public accountant (CPA).

Early Life

Darrius Heyward-Bey was born on February 26, 1987, in Silver Spring, United States.

As a teenager, he attended McDonogh School in Owings Mills, where he starred as both a wide receiver and linebacker on the football team.

During his senior year, he earned:

First-team All-State honors
PrepStar All-American recognition

Heyward-Bey also competed in track and field, winning the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championship in the 100 meters, highlighting the speed that later became one of his biggest strengths in football.

College Football Career

After high school, Heyward-Bey became a highly sought-after recruit and received offers from several major college football programs, including Alabama Crimson Tide football, Michigan State Spartans football, Virginia Cavaliers football, Pittsburgh Panthers football, and Boston College Eagles football.

He ultimately chose to attend the University of Maryland, where he played for the Maryland Terrapins football.

After redshirting in 2005, Heyward-Bey made his college debut in 2006 and quickly made an impact:

45 receptions
694 receiving yards (a school record for a freshman)
Second-Team All-ACC honors

He continued to lead the team in receiving in 2007, finishing with 51 catches for 786 yards, and was later named the team’s offensive MVP.

In his final college season in 2008, he recorded 42 receptions for 609 yards and five touchdowns before declaring for the NFL Draft. He finished his college career with:

2,089 receiving yards (second in school history at the time)
138 receptions (third in school history)

Oakland Raiders Career

Heyward-Bey entered the 2009 NFL Draft and was selected seventh overall in the first round by the Oakland Raiders.

He signed a five-year contract with the team and started 11 games in his rookie season, finishing with:

9 receptions
124 receiving yards
1 touchdown

His role expanded in the following seasons. In 2010, he started 14 games, recording 26 receptions for 366 yards. During a 33–3 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, he caught a career-long 69-yard touchdown and finished with 105 receiving yards, his best performance that season.

In 2011, Heyward-Bey posted another career highlight with eight receptions for 155 yards against the Detroit Lions, the most receiving yards by a Raiders player in a single game since Jerry Rice in 2003.

His 2012 season included 41 receptions for 606 yards and five touchdowns, though it was also marked by a serious on-field collision that briefly left him unconscious during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders released him in March 2013.

Indianapolis Colts

In April 2013, Heyward-Bey signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

During the 2013 NFL season, he recorded:

29 receptions
309 receiving yards
1 touchdown

Pittsburgh Steelers

Heyward-Bey joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in April 2014 on a one-year contract. Initially used mainly as a depth receiver, he appeared in all 16 games during the 2014 season.

The Steelers reached the playoffs that year but were eliminated in the Wild Card Round by the Baltimore Ravens.

He re-signed with the Steelers in 2015, finishing the season with:

21 receptions
314 receiving yards
2 touchdowns

In 2016, he signed a three-year contract extension with the team. That season he scored his first career rushing touchdown, a 60-yard run against the Miami Dolphins.

However, injuries limited his impact in later seasons. By 2017, he recorded just two receptions for 47 yards, and in 2018 he finished with one reception for nine yards. After that season, the Steelers chose not to re-sign him, effectively ending his NFL career.