Donald Parham

Donald Durand Parham Jr. is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Born August 16, 1997, in Lakeland, Florida, Parham went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft before signing with the Detroit Lions. Over his professional career, he has developed into a reliable receiving threat at the tight end position, most notably during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2020 to 2024. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, his uncommon size makes him a difficult matchup for defensive players, particularly in the red zone.

Donald Durand Parham Jr. Bio

Donald Durand Parham Jr. built his reputation as a developmental tight end who maximized his rare physical tools through consistent improvement season after season. His professional journey reflects persistence through adversity, including roster changes across multiple teams and a significant injury in 2021. Parham has accumulated 67 career receptions for 764 yards and 11 touchdowns across his NFL tenure, with most of his production coming as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers. He represents an example of undrafted talent finding sustained success in the league through patience and opportunity.

Early Life and Background

Parham grew up in Lakeland, Florida, where he attended Lake Gibson High School. Despite coming from a family rich in football tradition, including his father and four uncles who all played college football, Parham initially pursued basketball as his primary sport during high school. He did not begin playing football until his senior season at Lake Gibson High School. Once on the gridiron, he excelled as a wide receiver and defensive end, showcasing the athleticism that would later translate to the tight end position at the next level.

After high school, Parham committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Stetson University, located in DeLand, Florida. He redshirted during his freshman season in 2015, seeing minimal action in just four games. This developmental year laid the foundation for the breakout performance that would follow as he transitioned to a larger role within the Stetson offense.

Path to American Football

Parham took on an expanded role as a sophomore in 2016, converting to tight end and appearing in 11 games with 6 starts. He recorded 37 catches for 455 yards and led the team with six touchdown receptions, immediately demonstrating his ability to contribute as a pass-catcher. This conversion proved pivotal, as it highlighted his versatility and set the stage for his development into a complete tight end.

His junior season saw Parham emerge as Stetson’s primary receiving weapon, leading all pass-catchers on the team with 58 receptions for 817 yards and a touchdown. He earned Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition for his performance. During his senior season in 2018, Parham achieved his most impressive collegiate statistics, recording 85 receptions for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns. His outstanding play earned him First-team FCS All-American honors and First-team All-PFL recognition. Upon completing his college career, Parham finished as Stetson’s all-time leading receiver with 180 receptions for 2,591 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was selected to participate in the NFLPA Bowl and Senior Bowl, showcasing his talents against higher-level competition.

Donald Durand Parham Jr. Career

Early Career (2019)

After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Parham signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent on May 10, 2019. He was waived just two days later but quickly found another opportunity, signing with the Washington Redskins on June 7, 2019, following a minicamp tryout. Parham was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly thereafter. He was released from the practice squad on September 17, 2019, ending his brief tenure with the organization.

Arlington Renegades and XFL (2020)

Parham was selected by the Arlington Renegades in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft, providing him an opportunity to develop against professional competition while the NFL navigated the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his second game with the Renegades against the Los Angeles Wildcats, Parham recorded five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in the receiving game. His Mid Season All-XFL recognition validated his early success in the spring league. However, his time in the XFL ended when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, forcing Parham to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2020–2024)

Parham signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on April 14, 2020, beginning a four-year stint that would become the most productive period of his career. He made his NFL debut and recorded his first professional reception in Week 4 of the 2020 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching a 19-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Justin Herbert during the 38-31 loss. This connection between Parham and Herbert would become a defining element of the Chargers’ offense over the following seasons.

During a Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, Parham suffered a frightening injury while attempting to catch a pass in the back of the end zone. He dove for the ball without contacting an opponent, landed on his elbow, and his head struck the ground, causing him to lose consciousness. He displayed a fencing pose with rigid arms for several minutes before being taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition while undergoing testing for a head injury. Parham was placed on injured reserve on December 25, 2021, ending his second season prematurely. He returned to action in 2022, though he was placed on injured reserve again on November 5 before being activated on December 17.

Parham signed a two-year contract worth $2.535 million with the Chargers on March 17, 2023, rewarding his development with long-term security. However, he was released by the Chargers as part of final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, bringing his four-year tenure with the organization to an end.

Denver Broncos (2024)

Following his release from the Chargers, Parham was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on August 28, 2024. He spent the early portion of the 2024 season with the Broncos, continuing his professional career with a new organization while working to earn a more prominent role in the offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025–Present)

On February 21, 2025, Parham signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal, joining his fifth NFL franchise. The move presented an opportunity for Parham to compete for playing time in a new offensive system. However, his 2025 season came to an abrupt halt when he tore his Achilles during organized team activities on June 3, ending his campaign prematurely and requiring a lengthy recovery process.

Driving Style and Strengths

Parham’s game is built around his exceptional size at the tight end position, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall with a wingspan that creates significant advantages in jump-ball situations and the red zone. His basketball background contributes to hand-eye coordination and body control when adjusting to passes in traffic. While not known as an inline blocker at the level of traditional tight ends, his receiving ability and scoring potential make him a valuable weapon when deployed correctly. His rapport with quarterbacks, particularly Justin Herbert, demonstrated his ability to develop chemistry and execute timing-based routes in the passing attack.

Notable Events and Milestones

The most significant moment of Parham’s career came with his first NFL touchdown reception, a 19-yard score from Justin Herbert against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 that announced his arrival as a legitimate NFL weapon. His 2021 injury incident drew national attention to player safety concerns in the league and highlighted the risks associated with high-speed athletic competition. Despite these challenges, Parham demonstrated resilience by returning to the field and continuing his professional career through multiple subsequent seasons.

Donald Durand Parham Jr. Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career, Parham has appeared in multiple games across five franchises, contributing primarily as a receiving tight end. His career totals reflect consistent per-catch averages that highlight his efficiency when targeted.

NFL Career Highlights

Parham’s most productive stretch came during his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2020 to 2023, where he appeared in 40 games and became a trusted target in the red zone. His connection with Justin Herbert produced several memorable touchdowns, including his first career reception that went for a score. His career statistics include 67 receptions for 764 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging approximately 11.4 yards per reception. Most of his production came with a single team, demonstrating sustained contribution over multiple seasons rather than brief flashes with multiple organizations.

Other Performances

Prior to his NFL opportunities, Parham’s XFL tenure with the Arlington Renegades provided valuable professional experience during a transitional period in his career. His Mid Season All-XFL recognition in 2020 validated his abilities against professional competition outside the NFL structure. His college career at Stetson remains the most statistically impressive portion of his football history, with all-time program records that underscore his sustained excellence at the FCS level.

Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Donald Parham comes from a distinguished football family with deep roots in the sport at the collegiate level. His father and four uncles all played college football, creating an environment steeped in football tradition and knowledge of the game. This lineage provided Parham with unique exposure to the sport’s demands and expectations, even though he initially chose basketball as his primary athletic pursuit during his formative years.

Personal Life

Details regarding Parham’s personal life beyond his football career remain relatively private. He has not publicly disclosed information regarding a spouse or children as of the available information. His focus appears centered on his professional football career and recovery from his 2025 Achilles injury.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season promised to be a fresh start for Parham following his mid-2024 tenure with the Denver Broncos. His signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal represented an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and potentially contribute as a receiving tight end in a new offensive scheme. The Steelers, known for their commitment to building competitive rosters, appeared to value Parham’s size and red-zone abilities as potential assets for their passing attack.

Those plans unraveled when Parham tore his Achilles during organized team activities on June 3, 2025, ending his season before training camp could fully begin. This injury represents a significant setback for Parham’s career trajectory and forces him to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process that will likely extend well into the 2026 offseason. The timing of the injury, occurring during the non-contact portion of the offseason program, added to the disappointment as there was no specific game or practice moment to point to as the cause.

The outlook for Parham beyond 2025 remains uncertain but hinges on his recovery from the Achilles injury. Players returning from such injuries typically require 9 to 12 months of rehabilitation before resuming full football activities. Assuming a complete recovery, Parham would enter the 2026 season at age 28, still within the prime athletic window for a tight end. His ability to secure another NFL opportunity will depend on demonstrating restored mobility and the same receiving skills that made him a reliable target during his Chargers tenure.