When Danny Amendola led his high school football team to their first-ever Texas state championship game, many could only see glimpses of the bright future that awaited him in the years that would follow. Now playing as a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, Amendola has come quite far from his college days with the Texas Tech. Since 2008 when he was first signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas-born star has played for other great teams such as the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots. But there’s more beyond the running, kicking, and dribbling akin to Amendola.
How Danny Amendola Started His Career
Daniel James Amendola was born on November 2, 1985, in Woodlands, Texas. Danny is the son of Willie and Rose Amendola. Although American, his roots has been traced to parts of Italy and Ireland. As the younger of two children, Danny spent the better part of his childhood in Texas with his brother, Matt, who also played college football at Baylor University.
Danny began his football career in Woodlands High School where he trained and played under the tutelage of the ace football coach Weldon Willig. While there, he led his school team to its first Texas state championship game. Even though his team could not clinch the cup and lost to North Shore High School, it remained a big move forward for the school. As a senior, Danny finished his high school career with 129 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, and a whopping 1,045 receiving yards. These results prepared him in no small way for the college career that lied ahead.
In 2004 and fresh from high school, Danny Amendola proceeded to Texas Tech University where he majored in Communication Studies. There, he joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team as a punt returner; a role he flourished in effortlessly. During his first year, he was named as punt return specialist to the All-Big 12 first team.
In the years that followed, he climaxed his college career with 15 touchdowns and 204 receptions for 2,246 yards. Asides that, his 11.06 yards per return average made him the third all-time in Texas Tech University history in both punt returns and yardage. Within that period, Danny returned 116 punts for 1,283 yards with just one touchdown.
Danny recorded his best college football career with 6 touchdowns and 109 catches for 1,245 yards. This, of course, gave him a cumulative record of 204 receptions for 2,246 yards with 15 touchdowns. On the academic scene, the Texas-born star could not maintain the balance at the time. With such impressive stats, his football career had obviously hijacked other aspects, needless to say. Instead of fussing over spilled milk, Danny decided to pause his academic endeavor to pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL). This decision would pay off in no small way.
Net Worth and Teams He Has Played for
In April 2008, Danny Amendola began his football career on a humble note. Unlike most of his peers at the time, Amendola wasn’t drafted by his choice team immediately but signed up as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Although he tried so hard, he could not make the cut to join the NFL season that year. He then resigned to Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad and spent the 2008 season on the squad without getting involved in any field event. After leaving Dallas Cowboys, Danny Amendola played on several other teams over the course of his career. Let’s show you more on that.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2009)
When his contract with Dallas Cowboys expired, Danny Amendola joined the Philadelphia Eagles on January 6, 2009. He joined the team’s practice squad and was placed on a future contract later that January. However, he was waived out of the Eagles roster on September 6, 2009, and re-joined the practice squad. In all, he could not play in the regular football season.
2. St. Louis Rams
Joining the St. Louis Rams marked his first NFL regular-season action in which he caught 43 passes for 326 yards. He also had one touchdown as a slot receiver; returning 31 punts for 360 yards and 66 kickoffs for 1,618 yards. The years of practice began to pay off in an incredible way. By 2010, Danny Amendola was leading the NFL in all-purpose yards recording 2,364 on 7 rushing attempts, 85 receptions, 40 punt returns, and 50 kickoff returns. Amendola spent the next two seasons playing for the Rams.
3. New England Patriots
He joined the ranks of New England Patriots on March 13, 2013. His sign-up came only hours after the team’s former slot receiver, Wes Welker, accepted a contract with the Denver Broncos. The Patriots extended a 5-year contract to Danny. His pay would be a whopping $28.5 million; with a guaranty of $10 million. Over the next four seasons he spent playing for the Patriots, Danny emerged the 27th player in NFL history to record two career receiving touchdowns in the Super Bowl. With a catch rate of 79.3%, he became one of the best.
4. Miami Dolphins
After the 2017 season, more career prospects came calling for Danny Amendola. Having seen his exploits on the Patriots, the Miami Dolphins were willing to offer him a contract. And so, on March 15, 2018, Danny entered a 2-year contract with the team. After his time there, he moved on to join the Detroit Lions.
5. Detroit Lions
On March 11, 2019, just three days after leaving the Dolphins, Danny joined the Detroit Lions on a 1-year contract that would see him earn $4.5 million. Asides the juicy pay, the agreement included $1.25 million worth of incentives. Even though it was a new team for him, he was greeted by a particularly familiar face from the past. His new head coach, Matt Patricia, had been his defense coordinator while he played for the Patriots. By the end of the 2019 season, Amendola had garnered 62 receptions for 678 receiving yards and one touchdown. Although his contract with the Lions was supposed to end in March 2020, he signed another 1-year, $4.5 million contract with the side on February 22, 2020; only weeks before his former contract was due to expire.
With a career spanning over a decade, Danny has earned some incredible bragging rights. His 2-year contract with the Dolphins is worth $12,000,000, with an average salary of $6,000,000 and a signing guarantee of $6,000,000. As of 2020, his net worth is estimated at $8 million. As he puts it, wealth only has meaning when shared with those we love. Which begs the question, who is the woman in his life?
See Also: Robert Griffin III Bio, Net Worth, Career Stats, Who is The Wife or Girlfriend
What We Know About The Woman In His Life
According to sources, Danny has had romantic links with a couple of beautiful women, most notably, the American model, cheerleader, and actress Talor Reazin. Amendola and Reazin dated for a brief period before they went their separate ways. He later dated the Good Morning Football sportscaster and host, Kay Adams.
As of 2016, Danny was dating former Miss USA and Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo. The two were in an on-and-off relationship for about 2 years. After news of their first separation went viral in 2018, they reconciled and got back together around June the same year. However, as of April 2019, they don’t seem to be together as a couple.
In May 2019, multiple sources stated sightings of Danny in Miami with a “mystery blonde woman” tanning in a white bikini. At the time, the love birds were having a 2-day rendezvous in South Beach. After rummaging through the stacks, the paparazzi have a name; Emily Tanner.
Tanner is a lifestyle Instagram model. She graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health in 2017 as per her LinkedIn profile. Although she planned to pursue a career in public health, she had second thoughts when she discovered how much of a model she could become if she took the chance.
Having dated several women in the past, fans and followers are hoping that Danny and Emily settle soon as husband and wife.
