Darwin Vander Esch, the father of former NFL player Leighton Vander Esch, was arrested on 1 December for domestic violence-related charges.
The Idaho County Sheriff‘s Office responded to a call about a domestic battery incident around 12:30 a.m. on Seven Devils Road, near Riggins.
Highlights
- Leighton Vander Esch was born to parents Darwin and Sandy Esch, who are proud of Leighton thriving under the bright spotlight of the Dallas Cowboys.
- His mother, Sandy Vander Esch, shared how many people didn’t believe Leighton would make it to the NFL.
- His father, Darwin, purchased a 610,000-mile bus to take a ride to his son’s NFL games.
Darwin Vander Esch, 61, was taken into custody on charges of felony attempted strangulation.
He was also cited for misdemeanor domestic battery and for intentionally damaging a phone to prevent someone from calling for help.
Leighton, who retired from the NFL in March 2024, has not publicly commented on his father, Darwin Vander Esch’s arrest.
Darwin, Leighton Vander Esch’s Father, Purchased A Bus To Make A Ride To Leighton’s Dallas Cowboys Games
Leighton Vander Esch and his four siblings- Shannon, Christon, Morgan, and Jason grew up under the parenthood of Darwin and Sandy, who hail from Riggins.
Darwin and Sandy are proud of their son Leighton, who played eight-man football at Salmon River High in their small town just a few years ago and is now thriving under the bright spotlight of the Dallas Cowboys.
Sandy Vander Esch shared how, even in their hometown, many people didn’t believe Leighton would make it to the NFL.
She recalled a time when Leighton mentioned his dreams of a professional football career during school, and one teacher told him he needed a backup plan, as the chances of making it to the NFL seemed almost impossible.
It all started when Leighton, 28, played eight-man football at Salmon River High School in Riggins, Idaho.
The idea for the bus began long before Leighton Vander Esch became a first-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys.
His father, Darwin Vander Esch, dreamed of a bus that would offer comfort and safety for the players. But the plans never came to fruition during those early years.
The team often had to endure long, uncomfortable bus rides to games, and Darwin’s father thought there had to be a better way to travel.
Fast-forward to 2014, when Darwin found a solution. He purchased a 610,000-mile bus from a company in San Diego for $14,000.
Originally used to shuttle people from Amtrak stations to Disneyland, the bus was an old, reliable vehicle with character.
“It’s a good, old bus. There are no loose bolts or nuts or anything in it. Everything works.”
Darwin Vander Esch
He saw the potential to transform it into a traveling tribute to his son’s rise to the NFL.
The transformation began as the bus was outfitted with a bold design. Down the side in blue, outlined in silver, is “55 Leighton Vander Esch,” a tribute to his son’s number.
Darwin and other family members drove seven hours from Riggins to Seattle in the first season after Leighton was drafted.
The bus became a staple at Cowboys home games as the season progressed. It was often parked outside AT&T Stadium, drawing attention wherever it went.
Darwin’s purchase of the bus was more than just a way to show support for his son.
Additional Information
- He played college football for the Boise State Broncos before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
- Over his six seasons with the team, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie year.
- He tied the knot to his wife, Madalynn Vander Esch, with whom he shares a daughter.
