NFL Player Danny Amendola: Biography, Career, Retirement and More

After going undrafted, Texas Tech standout Daniel James Amendola made his way to the NFL, signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent. While bouncing between the Cowboys and Eagles practice squads, he showed promise but struggled to find consistency.

Amendola then landed a coveted position with the St. Louis Rams, where he flourished over four seasons. After joining the New England Patriots, Amendola’s talents were fully realized, and he made a name for himself by contributing to the team’s two Super Bowl championships during his five-year tenure. His skills later helped the Dolphins, Lions, and Texans until he joined the Las Vegas Raiders as an assistant coach in 2023, focusing on punt returns.

Danny Amendola’s Early Life and Education

Danny Amendola was born on November 2, 1985 in The Woodlands, Texas, and attended The Woodlands High School, where he played football under coach Weldon Willig. He led the team to its first Texas State Championship Game, totaling 1,045 receiving yards, 129 rushing yards, and eight touchdowns in his senior year, though they ultimately lost to North Shore High School.

personal information

born

November 2, 1985 (38 years old)

place of birth

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

high

5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters)

weight

185 lbs (84 kg)

Career Information

Location

Wide Receiver

Middle School

woodland

University

Texas Tech University (2004–2007)

Undrafted

2008

Career Experience

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 (Assistant Coach/Returnee)

Career Highlights and Awards

2-time Super Bowl Champion

Forty-nine, Li

NFL Kick Return Yardage Leaders

2009

New England Patriots All-Decade Team

Big 12 All-Conference Second Team

2007

Career NFL Statistics

reception

617

Receiving Field

6,212

Catch touchdown

twenty four

Return yardage

5,450

Passing Yards

83

Passing touchdown

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 Decane High School, Willie Amendola was involved in a viral incident when an unmanned ball cart hit him after his team won the 5A Division II Texas State Championship. He later sued the stadium for more than $1 million for negligence.

Danny, who is half Italian and half Irish, was the first NFL player signed by Ford Models in 2017 and walked for designer Philipp Plein at New York Fashion Week. He also appeared on the NFL Network special NFL Goes Global with Julian Edelman. In 2023, Amendola joined the reality TV show G.I. Joe: The World’s Toughest Test. Most recently, in 2024, he was announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson.

Danny Amendola career and retirement

Danny Amendola had an illustrious football career before retiring in 2022. He played college football at Texas Tech University, where he caught 204 passes for 2,246 yards and 15 touchdowns. Amendola was also an excellent 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 entire season on the practice squad. He later joined the Philadelphia Eagles and started the regular season with the St. Louis Rams in 2009. Amendola became a dynamic receiver and return specialist, leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2010.

Danny Amendola: NFL Career, Biography, and Retirement

In 2013, Amendola signed with the New England Patriots and played a key role in the team’s Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl XLIX titles. He is known for his clutch play in the playoffs, earning the nickname “Danny Playoff.”

After playing for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans, Amendola retired in July 2022. He briefly transitioned into coaching, joining the Las Vegas Raiders as an assistant coach and returns coach in 2023, but they parted ways in February 2024.

Amendola’s legacy includes his key contributions to two Super Bowl championships and a reputation for excelling in high-pressure situations.

Danny Amendola career statistics

Amendola is often compared to former Texas Tech standout Wes Welker because of their similar playing styles and physical builds. Both played as receivers and punt returners, with Welker listed at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds and Amendola at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds. Here are his complete career stats:

Regular Season

Year

team

game

take over

Sprint

Kickoff Return

Punt Return

Goals conceded

GP

GS

Recording

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

appendix

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Enter

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Enter

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Frum

Lost

2009

STL

14

2

43

326

7.6

XXV

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

Thirty-six

3

7

81

11.6

thirty

0

50

1,142

22.8

84

0

40

452

11.3

Chapter 42

0

2

1

2011

STL

1

1

5

Chapter 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

twenty two

0

3

2

2013

northeast

12

6

54

633

11.7

57

2

1

1

1

1

0

1

Thirteen

Thirteen

Thirteen

0

0

0

2014

northeast

16

4

XXVII

200

7.4

twenty one

1

20

482

24.1

81

0

16

132

8.3

XXXIX

0

0

0

2015

northeast

14

7

65

648

10

41

3

2

11

5.5

8

0

8

172

21.5

XXIX

0

twenty three

276

12

82

0

1

1

2016

northeast

12

4

twenty three

243

10.6

XXXII

4

5

129

25.8

73

0

18

121

6.7

thirty

0

3

1

2017

northeast

15

8

61

659

10.8

XXVII

2

1

16

16

16

0

XXVII

231

8.6

40

0

2

0

2018

Mia

15

15

59

575

9.7

XXXIX

1

1

−2

−2.0

−2

0

11

59

5.4

12

0

2

0

2019

Detection

15

9

62

678

10.9

Chapter 47

1

10

55

5.5

15

0

0

0

2020

Detection

14

5

Chapter 46

602

13.1

50

0

1

2

2

2

0

3

XXXIX

Thirteen

twenty one

0

0

0

2021

Hou

8

0

twenty four

248

10.3

XXXIX

3

1

15

15

15

0

0

0

0

All

163

76

617

6,212

10.1

57

twenty four

17

99

5.8

thirty

0

153

3,590

23.5

84

0

198

1,860

9.4

82

0

18

6

Playoffs

Year

team

game

take over

Sprint

Kickoff Return

Punt Return

Goals conceded

GP

GS

Recording

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

appendix

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Enter

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Enter

code

average

Liquefied Natural Gas

TD

Frum

Lost

2013

northeast

2

1

3

77

25.7

53

0

0

0

2014

northeast

3

1

11

137

12.5

51

3

1

−2

−2.0

−2

0

9

213

23.7

thirty

0

1

0

2015

northeast

2

2

7

57

8.1

16

0

4

54

13.5

XXVIII

0

0

0

2016

northeast

3

0

10

90

9

20

1

1

15

15

15

0

0

0

2017

northeast

3

2

XXVI

348

13.4

50

2

1

3

3

3

0

5

52

10.4

20

0

0

0

All

Thirteen

6

57

709

12.4

53

6

3

16

5.3

15

0

9

213

23.7

thirty

0

9

106

11.8

XXVIII

0

1

0

As a junior in 2006, Amendola caught 48 passes for 487 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In 2007, he had an even better season as a senior, catching 109 passes for 1,245 receiving yards and six touchdowns, solidifying his status as a workhorse.