The NFL doesn't play on Tuesdays, but New England Patriots fans can still turn their televisions on to root for one of their own. ABC announced last week that retired receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola would be competing in "Dancing With the Stars" this year, and the 33rd season of the hit show premieres Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can tune in live on ABC and Disney+, or wait until Wednesday morning to catch the first episode on Hulu. Amendola, who describes his moves as "trash," joined the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech and went on to become a two-time Super Bowl champion. Amendola described his moves as "trash" when asked about his dancing, although he does see a potential advantage over the other non-professionals. "I think my footwork, I have an edge in that regard, but I need to learn the posture and the technique," Amendola told The Hollywood Reporter. "And for that I'll be listening to her."
Amendola's Odds To Win
The sports betting website VegasInsider calculated the odds of each contestant on this season of "Dancing with the Stars" winning it all, and two-time Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola is a favorite. VegasInsider's experts said Amendola is the third-overall favorite to win the mirrorball trophy with 6:1 fractional odds. Meaning, they believe Amendola has about a 14% chance of winning. The website's top two choices are Stephen Nedoroscik and Dwight Howard. Alternately, they predicted fake heiress Anna Delvey is the least likely of the contestants to win with 30:1 fractional odds, or a 3% chance.
Amendola's 'DWTS' Partner
Amendola will be partnered with Witney Carson, a veteran pro dancer and former "DWTS" winner, who will make her return to the lineup of contestants this year, giving her and Amendola great odds to earn the "Mirrorball" trophy. Carson began her meteoric rise to fame as an 18-year-old contestant on the reality series So You Think You Can Dance in 2012. She had a successful run on the show, eventually finishing as the second runner-up. The professional Latin ballroom dancer was able to capitalize on her success to earn a spot on Dancing With The Stars in early 2013. Carson joined DWTS as a troupe member in seasons 16 and 17 before being promoted to a professional partner in season 18. One season later, she won season 19 as the partner of actor and comedian Alfonso Ribeiro. For her efforts that season, Carson received a nomination for Outstanding Choreography at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Amendola's Competition
Amendola is up against a few fellow New Englanders, including Vermont's Ilona Maher and Massachusetts native Stephen Nedoroscik, on the latest season of the dancing competition show. One of the duo's biggest competitors, they acknowledged, is Olympian gymnast and Worcester, Mass. native Stephen Nedoroscik. Olympian rugby player Ilona Maher of Burlington, Vt. will also be competing, giving New Englanders plenty of reasons to watch this season.
What to Expect from Amendola on 'Dancing With The Stars'
Those who watched him play can expect him to bring the energy, he says. "Shaboozey is my guy," Amendola said when asked about the up-beat country track, "A Bar Song," that he and Carson might start the show off with. "It's been a staple in our family my whole life growing up" Amendola told US Weekly while promoting the show with his dance partner, Whitney Carson. "It's my mom's favorite show so when I told her we had the opportunity she told me I had to do it."
Amendola's Post-NFL Career
This isn't Amendola's first rodeo in entertainment or reality TV, having signed with Ford Models in 2017 and was one of the final four contestants left on the "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" television series. Since retiring from the NFL, the 38-year-old was a coaching assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders for one season. "I think we're going to lead off with Shaboozey and let it rip."
Watch Amendola Dance on 'Dancing With The Stars'
"Dancing with the Stars" airs on Tuesday nights and will kick off tonight with a two hour premiere beginning at 8 p.m. EST. The show is available to watch live on ABC and Disney+. It will also be available for next day streaming on Hulu.
