Donald Parham Bio
Donald Durand Parham Jr. is an American professional football tight end who plays in the National Football League. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, he is one of the tallest pass-catching tight ends in the league and has carved out a career as a reliable red-zone target. He is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, having signed with the franchise in February 2025.
After going undrafted out of Stetson University in 2019, Parham built his professional resume through brief stints with the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins before finding his stride with the Los Angeles Chargers. Across his NFL career, he has recorded 67 receptions for 764 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, establishing himself as a notable late-round success story from the small-college ranks.
Early Life and Background
Donald Durand Parham Jr. was born on August 16, 1997, in Lakeland, Florida. He grew up in the same central Florida community, attending Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, where he first made his mark as a basketball player rather than a football prospect.
Despite coming from a rich lineage of football players, including his father and four uncles who all played college football, Parham did not take up the sport until his senior season of high school. He quickly emerged as a standout, playing both wide receiver and defensive end and earning attention from small college programs. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball background made him an intriguing late-blooming recruit.
Path to American Football
Parham committed to play college football at Stetson, an FCS program located in DeLand, Florida, where he continued to develop physically and athletically. After seeing minimal action in four games as a freshman, he transitioned to tight end as a sophomore and immediately became a featured piece of the offense, recording 37 catches for 455 yards and a team-leading six touchdown receptions.
His junior year brought further growth, as he led Stetson’s pass-catchers with 58 receptions for 817 yards and a touchdown, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition. As a senior, Parham erupted for 85 receptions, 1,319 yards, and 13 touchdowns, performances that earned him FCS First-Team All-American honors and First-Team All-PFL recognition. He finished his career as Stetson’s all-time leading receiver with 180 receptions for 2,591 yards and 20 touchdowns, and was selected to participate in both the NFLPA Bowl and the Senior Bowl.
Donald Parham Career
Early Career (2019)
Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Parham signed with the Detroit Lions on May 10, 2019, but was waived just two days later on May 12. He quickly caught on with the Washington Redskins, signing on June 7, 2019, after a minicamp tryout. Although he was waived on August 31, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad on September 12 before being released again on September 17.
Released without an NFL landing spot, Parham joined the spring league XFL when the Arlington Renegades selected him in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft. In his second game against the Los Angeles Wildcats, he delivered five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, showing the downfield ability that would soon translate to the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2020–2024)
Parham signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on April 14, 2020, and quickly became part of the team’s offensive plans. In Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he recorded his first career reception, a 19-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, signaling his arrival as a red-zone weapon in the Chargers’ passing attack.
During a Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, Parham suffered a frightening concussion after diving for a pass in the back of the end zone. Without contacting an opponent, he landed awkwardly, with his head hitting the turf while in a fencing posture, and was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in stable condition before being placed on injured reserve on December 25. He returned to action in subsequent seasons, including another injured reserve stint on November 5, 2022, before being activated on December 17. On March 17, 2023, he signed a two-year contract worth $2.535 million, cementing his role with the team until he was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27, 2024.
Denver Broncos Era (2024)
One day after his release from the Chargers, Parham was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on August 28, 2024. His time in Denver offered a fresh opportunity to compete for an active roster spot, though his stay concluded when the Broncos parted ways with him at the end of the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On February 21, 2025, Parham signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining the franchise as part of its tight end rotation. His arrival added a proven red-zone target to the Steelers’ offensive scheme.
However, on June 3, 2025, Parham tore his Achilles during organized team activities, prematurely ending his 2025 season. The injury halted what had been a hopeful new chapter in Pittsburgh and put the focus on his long-term recovery.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches and 237 pounds, Parham brings an unusual combination of height and athleticism to the tight end position. His basketball background gives him excellent body control and catch radius, particularly in contested situations near the goal line. He has consistently functioned as a reliable chain-mover and touchdown threat within structured passing offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Parham’s first NFL touchdown, a 19-yard connection from Justin Herbert in 2020, marked his official arrival in the league. His subsequent All-American status from Stetson, his 2023 two-year contract, and his career totals of 67 receptions, 764 yards, and 11 touchdowns reflect a player who has steadily built a respectable NFL résumé from an unconventional path.
Donald Parham Career Wins
Across his professional journey, Parham has produced consistent receiving production, particularly during his Chargers tenure, where he became a fixture in the team’s red-zone packages. His 11 career receiving touchdowns underscore his knack for finishing drives and exploiting mismatches against smaller defensive backs.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
During his time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Parham posted the bulk of his NFL receiving numbers, including his first career touchdown and multiple subsequent scoring receptions. He was active for a significant portion of games from 2020 through 2023, occasionally filling in as a starter and contributing as a complementary option in two-tight-end sets.
Other Wins and Performances
Parham was named to the XFL Mid-Season All-XFL team in 2020 after a strong showing with the Arlington Renegades. He also earned FCS First-Team All-American and First-Team All-PFL recognition during his senior season at Stetson, cementing his status as one of the most productive small-school receivers of his era.
Donald Parham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Parham comes from a football-oriented family, with his father and four uncles having all played college football. That lineage helped shape his eventual path to the sport, even though he did not take up football seriously until his senior year at Lake Gibson High School.
Personal Life
Public information about Parham’s personal life remains limited, with no confirmed spouse or children documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Donald Parham’s 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers was expected to be a fresh opportunity to contribute as a tight end within a competitive offense. The one-year deal he signed in February suggested the team valued his size and experience as a red-zone target.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short on June 3, 2025, when he tore his Achilles during organized team activities, prematurely ending his year. The injury removed him from competition before training camp even concluded and shifted attention to his recovery timeline.
Looking ahead, Parham’s focus is on rehabilitation and a potential return to the field in 2026, where he will aim to resume his role as a reliable receiving tight end. His progress in recovery will likely determine whether he can secure another NFL opportunity.