Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football player and currently is the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Daunte was born in jail and raised by a foster mother, Emma Culpepper, in Ocala, Florida, where he attended Vanguard High School. He has earned selection to the Pro Bowl three times (2000, 2003, 2004), and is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. Orignially selected in the 26th round by the New York Yankees in the 1995 First-Year Player Draft Culpepper was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft (11th overall) out of the University of Central Florida. Aside from great arm strength, his quickness and large build (6'4" and 260 lb (118 kg)) are considered a great advantage at his position, allowing him to avoid tackles while passing or running. In the 2004-2005 season, he broke the Vikings' franchise record for most touchdown passes in a season with 39 - breaking the previous mark of 34 by Randall Cunningham in 1998. Culpepper also broke Dan Marino's NFL record for combined passing and rushing yards, amassing 5,123 total yards, and led the NFL in passing yards (4717) in 2004.

Trivia
- Among all qualified quarterbacks in NFL history (at least 1500 passing attempts), Culpepper ranks third in passer rating and second in completion percentage.
- He once walked 5 yards on his hands to win a wager of $500 from a fellow Viking.
- Culpepper also appeared on the cover of the Madden NFL 2002 video game.