Who is Danny Amendola? 2x Super Bowl Champion who can beat Stephen Nedoroscik for DWTS Mirror Ball

When Dancing with the Stars announced its season 33 star cast, all eyes were on the two Olympians. Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and rugby star Ilona Maher brought a lot of hype to the ongoing season. Nedoroscik, who went viral as Team USA’s Clark Kent, alone drew a ton of eyeballs. So former NFL star Danny Amendola’s inclusion flew under the radar.

But just because Amendola was the underdog didn’t mean he lacked confidence. The 38-year-old paired up with former DWTS champion Witney Carson as her mentor. The Super Bowl winner’s very first post showed his mindset coming into the show. “She’s back!!! An absolute HONOR to share the floor with @witneycarson on @dancingwiththestars… Mirror Ball we’re coming for you!” Amendola exclaimed. Now it looks like Amendola might just succeed in backing up his blood claim.

All about Danny Amendola’s DWTS journey to the finale

The veteran athlete proved he meant business from the very first episode. The Carson and Amendola duo finished in the top five. The retired professional football player’s coach showed great faith in Amendola’s ability to become one of the show’s standouts and maybe even win the mirror ball. “Danny and I share a similar mindset about winning,” Eric Rakofsky told OK! The magazine in an exclusive interview.

“If you think about losing, you’re going to lose. So he’s been set on winning since the beginning,” added the celebrity trainer. Rakofsky also praised Danny Amendola’s mentor, calling the 31-year-old one “legend” in his field. Carson himself encouraged the former NFL star to foster his competitive spirit during their time on the show.

“I told him to have fun and be Danny Amendola, the two-time Super Bowl champion,” Carson said. After finishing near the top of the pack during the season premiere, Amendola proved to be among the most consistent performers on the show, rarely facing the threat of elimination. Something that could not be said about Stephen Nedoroscik and his partner Rylee Arnold.

Amendola also became one of the first stars in season 33 to earn a perfect 10 during the Halloween special and has now made it to the finale. So on Nov. 26, the DWTS finalist will compete against Nedoroscik, Maher and two other couples to earn a spot in the finale. Despite his confidence, Amendola may not have made it this far without the support of his parents.

Who are Danny Amendola’s parents? Learn all about the DWTS star’s family

Cameras caught the 38-year-old’s mother, Rose Amendola, in the stands during his DWTS debut. Although we don’t know much about the former NFL star’s mother other than the fact that she is one of the pillars of his support, Amendola’s father also played a crucial role in him becoming a football player.

Danny Amendola’s father, Alfred ‘Willie’ Amendola, hails from Boston and has built a career as a renowned high school football coach. In fact, Willie Amendola has continued his coaching career despite his son’s successful and illustrious NFL career. In 2022, Amendola Sr. joined Concordia Lutheran High School as their football program’s head coach.

“Coach Amendola comes to Concordia after a very successful coaching career in the Spring, Aldine and Klein school districts…Coach Amendola will begin leading the Crusaders in off-season football after the Christmas break in January 2022,” announced the school in their official press release. And Danny Amendola has kept his personal life out of the spotlight (for the most part); the same cannot be said for his rumored girlfriend.

Who is Danny Amendola’s rumored girlfriend?

Ever since breaking up with actress and model Olivia Culpo, Danny Amendola has remained single. However, the DWTS finalist recently found himself romantically involved with Xandra Pohl. Unlike the former New England Patriots player, Pohl doesn’t shy away from public exposure. As a DJ and model, Pohl understands the importance of being present in the public eye.

“For DJing and stuff like that, it’s all about marketing… The more following you have, the easier it is to get gigs.” Pohl said during an appearance on Chickens in the office podcast. So maybe that’s why Xandra didn’t hesitate to appear on camera during the DWTS season 33 premiere alongside Rose Amendola. However, her appearance only helped intensify the rumor until Danny Amendola himself cleared the air.

“Xandra is a good friend of mine… I’m a big fan and supporter of hers and it’s good to have a friend like her.” The former football player told E! News at the end of September. He even added that his mother loves Pohl, for good measure. However, neither Pohl nor Amendola denied the rumors. “I say yes to dates and meet tons of new people.” Pohl had told E! New in an interview in May. But for now, the former pro athlete’s only goal is to get his hands on the mirror ball.

Career highlights and major accomplishments from the NFL star

While Danny Amendola may have retired from professional football, the 38-year-old’s tenacity will challenge younger stars like Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher from his NFL career. Throughout his illustrious, albeit relatively short-lived career, Amendola managed to play for several top teams and win two Super Bowls.

After starting his career in 2008 as a practice squad member for the Dallas Cowboys and then the Philadelphia Eagles. Amendola saw NFL action with the St. Louis Rams in 2009. However, it was with the New England Patriots that Danny Amendola really shined. The wide receiver played a pivotal role in helping the Patriots earn the Super Bowl XLIX and LI trophies. So much so that Amendola earned the nickname ‘Danny Playoff.’

After his stint with the Patriots, Danny Amendola played for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. He even had a brief stint as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Raiders before coming to the DWTS scene. Today, Playoff Danny chases the DWTS mirror ball with the same tenacity she showed on the NFL field.