In Week 5 of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), Danny Amendola, former NFL wide receiver, delivered a heartfelt tribute to his late Coach, Mike Leach.
Known for his innovative “Air Raid” offense at Texas Tech, Leach was a pivotal figure in Amendola’s college football career.
Highlights
- In week 5 of “Dancing With Stars,” Danny Amendola performed a contemporary dance dedicated to his former coach, Mike Leach.
- Mike coached Danny when he played for Texas Tech in his college career from 2004 to 2007.
- Danny Amendola remembered his coach as selfless and the most instrumental figure in his life.
The former NFL player Danny performed a contemporary dance with partner Witney Carson to honor Leach, his coach at Texas Tech.
Mike Leach was a renowned American football coach known for his innovative “Air Raid” offensive strategy.
Before his tenure at Mississippi State, he coached at various universities, including Texas Tech and Washington State.
Mike passed away on December 12, 2022, at 61, following complications from a heart condition.
Danny Amendola Regards Coach Mike Leach As An Instrumental Figure Of His Life And Career
During Week 5 of “Dancing With the Stars,” the theme was ‘Dedication Night‘. Each dancer had to choose a song to honor a mentor, idol, or loved one.
Among the nine sets of dancers, Danny Amendola performed a contemporary number, paying tribute to late football coach Mike Leach.
He chose “Unsteady” by the X Ambassadors, and, along with partner Witney Carson, the duo scored 36 out of 40, the highest point total of the night.
"I miss him dearly and this one's for him."
— Grace Ybarra (@gnybarra) October 16, 2024
Danny Amendola dedicated his performance on Dancing with the Stars tonight to Mike Leach. Here's Amendola on why his coach was so special to him: pic.twitter.com/yxpr439ORb
After his performance, Amendola remembered his late coach, Mike Leach, as an important person. He states,
He was an instrumental character in my life and my career. His whole model was to swing your sword. You know, you’re gonna go into a sword fight, you really want to get out there and really swing it.
Danny Amendola
When asked, “What made Coach Leach such a special person to him.” The former NFL player says,
He sold us a dream that we can pay through hard work and dedication. Being a coach is very selfless job and I miss him dearly and this one’s for him.
Danny Amendola
Furthermore, fans’ reactions to the dedication dance are filled with heartwarming messages and appreciation. One of the tweets reads,
Grew up watching Mike Leach coaching Texas Tech football. So good to see Danny dedicate that beautiful dance to him
X user
Similarly, many viewers of Dancing with Stars and football fans share their appreciation of the show and the theme on social media.
They stated that the show echoes the deep affection of many players and fans who enjoyed the creative joy and competitive spirit the late Coach Mike brought to football.
Furthermore, admiration and gratitude for Danny Amendola flow freely on his social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook.
Additional Information
- Danny Amendola has advanced to the next “Dancing with the Star round.” With the theme Disney Night, he will perform one unlearned dance to a song from a classic Disney Movie.
- Danny Amendola has yet to be married. He was in a relationship with singer Jean Watts for about three years.
- As of 2024, Danny Amendola’s net worth is around $10 million. His earnings primarily stem from a successful NFL career and endorsements.
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