Danny Amendola

A star wide receiver for The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, Danny Amendola helped lead his school to its first-ever state championship game during his senior season in 2004. 

During a four-year collegiate career at Texas Tech, Amendola made a name for himself during his senior season in 2007 when he earned over 1,200 total receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Amendola went undrafted, signing as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. He spent the entire season on the Cowboys’ practice squad, never seeing game action. 

He later found his way to the St. Louis Rams, where he played from 2009 to 2012. After signing with the New England Patriots in 2013, Amendola won two Super Bowls as part of the franchise’s dynasty that included teammates like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. 

Amendola finished off his professional football career with brief stints with the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans, eventually announcing his retirement in July 2022.

In his post-football career, Amendola appeared on the first season of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and on season 33 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars alongside partner Witney Carson. Together, Amendola and Carson made it to the finale and placed fifth.