Admin November 19, 2024
‘Dancing with the Stars’ to perform in Columbus on Feb.7
“Dancing with the Stars: Live!” tour to make a stop in Columbus on Feb. 7.
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Going into the “Dancing With the Stars” semi-finals, the roster is heavy with accomplished athletes competing for the ultimate title.
Dancing alongside Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik is two-time Super Bowl winner Danny Amendola, known for helping lead the New England Patriots to victory alongside Tom Brady in 2014 and 2016.
With pro dancing partner Witney Carson, Amendola has managed to translate his experience from the field to the dancefloor, consistently scoring high marks from the judges and impressing fans with fluency and footwork.
Here’s what to know about Olympian and “Dancing With the Stars” semi-finalist.
Who is Danny Amendola?
Danny Amendola, full name Daniel James Amendola, is a retired American professional football player who played wide receiver for several NFL teams. He signed with five teams during his 14-year career, winning two Super Bowls playing alongside Tom Brady for the New England Patriots.
Both of his parents are from Boston but he grew up and currently resides in Texas, where his father was the head football coach at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball and later Dekaney High School.
Amendola also has a history as a model, signing with Ford Models in 2017 and appearing in New York Fashion Week model for Philipp Plein the same year. He also had another stint on reality TV before signing on with DWTS, having appeared on FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test in 2023.
Amendola is officially single but has been linked to several high-profile women over the years. He dated model Olivia Culpo and actress Jean Watts on and off, according to People, and his breakup with Culpo garnered some attention with the two trading public jabs on podcasts and social media in 2019.
Danny Amendola’s NFL career
Amendola was signed to the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after playing college ball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. After serving the 2008 season on the Dallas practice squad and the 2009 season on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, he was signed by the St. Louis Rams in 2009, where he played his first regular season.
In 2013, Amendola signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract with the New England Patriots, with whom he played three Super Bowls and won two between 2013 and 2017. In 2018, he signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. He was released from the Dolphins in 2019, however, and moved on to the Detroit Lions where he signed a $4.5 million, one-year contract.
The contract was renewed in 2020 and he played another season with the team before moving on to the Houston Texans for a one-season, $2.5 million contract in 2021. He announced his retirement in July 2022 and moved to the sidelines as a coaching assistant and returners coach for the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2023 season.
According to the NFL, Amendola finished his career having played 163 games with 76 starts, recorded 617 career receptions for 6,212 yards receiving and 24 touchdowns during his time with the St. Louis Rams, Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Texans, finishing with 11,761 all-purpose yards.
Danny Amendola on “Dancing With the Stars”
Going into the semi-finals, Amendola and Carson are planning to perform a waltz to John Mayer’s “Gravity” and salsa to “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin.
Often showing off his muscled physique with open, sheer shirts and acrobatic lifts, Amendola has been praised for adapting so well to the dance floor this season. Often coming in as one of the top-scored contenders, Amendola’s partner isn’t afraid to get athletic with the choreography, using him as a base for complex spins, lifts and maneuvers.
While the pair often receive scores of 8 and 9 from the judges, Amendola earned his first 10 in week six after performing the Argentine Tango to the song “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe during the Halloween special.
How to watch Danny Amendola on “Dancing With the Stars”
Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” returns Tuesday, Nov. 18 for its semi-final episode. New episodes air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+. They are available for streaming after the live shows end on Hulu.
Fans can vote at www.dwtsvote.abc.com or by text to 21523 when the live airing begins.