Daniel James Amendola, a Texas Tech standout, embarked on his NFL journey after being passed over in the draft, signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent. While bouncing between the Cowboys and Eagles practice squads, he exhibited flashes of potential yet struggled to find stability.
Then, Amendola obtained a long sought-after role with the St. Louis Rams and shone for four seasons. Entering orbit with the dominant New England Patriots, Amendola's talents flourished as he cultivated notoriety by contributing to two Super Bowl triumphs during his half-decade tenure. His skills later aided the Dolphins, Lions, and Texans before coaching calls in 2023, when he joined the Las Vegas Raiders staff as an assistant focused on punt returns.
Danny Amendola Early Life and Education
Danny Amendola, born on November 2, 1985, in The Woodlands, Texas, attended The Woodlands High School where he played football under coach Weldon Willig. He led his team to their first-ever Texas state championship game, amassing 1,045 receiving yards, 129 rushing yards, and scoring eight touchdowns in his senior year, although they ultimately lost to North Shore High School.
| Personal Information | |
| Born | November 2, 1985 (age 38) |
| Birthplace | The Woodlands, Texas, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career Information | |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| High School | The Woodlands |
| College | Texas Tech (2004–2007) |
| Undrafted | 2008 |
| Career History | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2008* |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2008–2009* |
| St. Louis Rams | 2009–2012 |
| New England Patriots | 2013–2017 |
| Miami Dolphins | 2018 |
| Detroit Lions | 2019–2020 |
| Houston Texans | 2021 |
| Las Vegas Raiders (coach) | 2023 (Coaching assistant/returners) |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
| 2× Super Bowl Champion | XLIX, LI |
| NFL Kickoff Return Yards Leader | 2009 |
| New England Patriots All-2010s Team | |
| Second-team All-Big 12 | 2007 |
| Career NFL Statistics | |
| Receptions | 617 |
| Receiving Yards | 6,212 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 24 |
| Return Yards | 5,450 |
| Passing Yards | 83 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 2 |
Source| Pro Football Reference
His father, Alfred "Willie" Amendola, is a football coach at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas. In 2011, while coaching at Dekaney High School, Willie Amendola was involved in a viral incident where an unmanned cart struck him after his team won the 5A Division II Texas state championship. He later sued the stadium for over $1 million, citing negligence.
Danny, of half-Italian and half-Irish descent, is the first NFL player signed by Ford Models in 2017 and walked in New York Fashion Week for designer Philipp Plein. He also appeared alongside Julian Edelman in the NFL Network special NFL Going Global. In 2023, Amendola joined the reality show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. Most recently, in 2024, he was announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, partnered with pro dancer Witney Carson.
Danny Amendola Career And Retirement
Danny Amendola had a remarkable football career before retiring in 2022. He played college football at Texas Tech, where he amassed 204 receptions for 2,246 yards and 15 touchdowns. Amendola also excelled as a punt returner, ranking third in school history with 1,283 return yards.
After going undrafted in 2008, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys but spent the season on the practice squad. He later joined the Philadelphia Eagles before finding regular-season action with the St. Louis Rams in 2009. Amendola became a dynamic receiver and return specialist, leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2010.
In 2013, Amendola signed with the New England Patriots and played a key role in their Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI victories. Known for his clutch postseason performances, he earned the nickname 'Danny Playoff'.
Following stints with the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans, Amendola retired in July 2022. He briefly transitioned to coaching, joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 as an assistant and returners coach, but they parted ways in February 2024.
Amendola's legacy includes his pivotal contributions to two Super Bowl titles and a reputation for excelling in high-pressure situations.
Danny Amendola Career Statistics
Amendola was frequently compared to former Texas Tech standout Wes Welker due to their similar playing styles and physical builds. Both served as slot receivers and punt returners, with Welker standing at 5'9" and 185 lbs, and Amendola at 5'11" and 183 lbs. Here are his complete career statistics:
| Regular season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Kickoff return | Punt return | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2009 | STL | 14 | 2 | 43 | 326 | 7.6 | 25 | 1 | 3 | −2 | −0.7 | 8 | 0 | 66 | 1,618 | 24.5 | 58 | 0 | 31 | 360 | 11.6 | 56 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010 | STL | 16 | 6 | 85 | 689 | 8.1 | 36 | 3 | 7 | 81 | 11.6 | 30 | 0 | 50 | 1,142 | 22.8 | 84 | 0 | 40 | 452 | 11.3 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 | STL | 1 | 1 | 5 | 45 | 9 | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | STL | 11 | 8 | 63 | 666 | 10.6 | 56 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 17 | 122 | 7.2 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2013 | NE | 12 | 6 | 54 | 633 | 11.7 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | NE | 16 | 4 | 27 | 200 | 7.4 | 21 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 482 | 24.1 | 81 | 0 | 16 | 132 | 8.3 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | NE | 14 | 7 | 65 | 648 | 10 | 41 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 172 | 21.5 | 29 | 0 | 23 | 276 | 12 | 82 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | NE | 12 | 4 | 23 | 243 | 10.6 | 32 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 129 | 25.8 | 73 | 0 | 18 | 121 | 6.7 | 30 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2017 | NE | 15 | 8 | 61 | 659 | 10.8 | 27 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 27 | 231 | 8.6 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | MIA | 15 | 15 | 59 | 575 | 9.7 | 39 | 1 | 1 | −2 | −2.0 | −2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 59 | 5.4 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | DET | 15 | 9 | 62 | 678 | 10.9 | 47 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 55 | 5.5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | DET | 14 | 5 | 46 | 602 | 13.1 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 39 | 13 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | HOU | 8 | 0 | 24 | 248 | 10.3 | 39 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 163 | 76 | 617 | 6,212 | 10.1 | 57 | 24 | 17 | 99 | 5.8 | 30 | 0 | 153 | 3,590 | 23.5 | 84 | 0 | 198 | 1,860 | 9.4 | 82 | 0 | 18 | 6 | |
| Postseason | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Kickoff return | Punt return | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2013 | NE | 2 | 1 | 3 | 77 | 25.7 | 53 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | NE | 3 | 1 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 | 51 | 3 | 1 | −2 | −2.0 | −2 | 0 | 9 | 213 | 23.7 | 30 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | NE | 2 | 2 | 7 | 57 | 8.1 | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 54 | 13.5 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | NE | 3 | 0 | 10 | 90 | 9 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | NE | 3 | 2 | 26 | 348 | 13.4 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 52 | 10.4 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 6 | 57 | 709 | 12.4 | 53 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 213 | 23.7 | 30 | 0 | 9 | 106 | 11.8 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
As a junior in 2006, Amendola recorded 48 receptions for 487 yards and five touchdowns. His senior season in 2007 was even more impressive, with 109 receptions, 1,245 yards, and six touchdowns, solidifying his place as a key player.
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