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Super Bowl Champion Danny Amendola Honors Mike Leach With Emotional Contemporary Dance

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Danny Amendola Mike Leach Dancing with the Stars
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Danny Amendola paid tribute to Mike Leach on Tuesday’s episode of Dancing with the Stars. The two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver performed an emotional contemporary dance with his partner, Witney Carson.

He did the Pirate proud and will stay in the competition!

Amendola, 38, played college football at Texas Tech from 2004-2007. He ultimately went undrafted in 2008 and initially bounced between the Cowboys, Eagles and Rams. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick really put him on the map in 2013. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pass-catcher finished his 14-year NFL career with 6,212 yards and 24 touchdowns on 617 catches. That does not include his 5,450 yards as a kick returner.

However, this particular chapter of Amendola’s retirement focuses on his time with the Red Raiders. Leach was his coach throughout all four years in College Station.

Although Amendola played a crucial role on special teams during his first three seasons at Texas Tech, he broke out in the passing game as a senior with 1,245 yards and six touchdowns.

A crucial first down against Oklahoma in 2005 was perhaps the most memorable play of his career.

Amendola learned a lot from Leach, who tragically passed away at the young age of 61 in 2022. The legendary head coach left an impact on everyone with whom he interacted, especially his players.

Thus, when Dancing with the Stars competitors were asked to dedicate their dances to a specific person, place or thing, Danny Amendola chose Mike Leach.

@officialdwts

@Danny Amendola is honoring a beloved coach for #DedicationNight and @Carrie Ann Inaba paid him and @Witney Carson a visit. ❤️ This is one Contemporary you won’t want to miss! 🙏 #DWTS

♬ original sound – Dancing with the Stars #DWTS

His and Carson’s contemporary routine was deeply emotional. It was also a big hit. The judges gave Amendola a score of three nines.

Following the performance, Amendola spoke about what it meant to honor his late coach. He offered a perfect summation of Leach’s long-lasting legacy.

If Mike Leach was still alive, he would be very proud of his former wide receiver. He would probably have a joke about his outfit and dancing, but he would be very proud. Rest in peace, coach.