Danny Amendola retires: A look back at his NFL career

Danny Amendola has announced that he is retiring at age 36 and after 13 seasons in the NFL. The former wide receiver had a long, successful career in the league, but is ready to pursue other interests, possibly including a future as a broadcaster.

A look back at Amendola’s NFL career

Danny Amendola played for Texas Tech University and was often compared former Tech receiver Wes Welker, who went on to play for the Dolphins, Patriots, and Broncos in the NFL. Amendola was also a receiver and had a similar build to Welker. In 2008, Amendola was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Dallas Cowboys. He spent that season on the practice squad, but never played a regular season game with Dallas. He then had a quick stint with the Philadelphia Eagles before moving to the St. Louis Rams for four seasons, where he set career highs of 85 receptions and 689 yards. But it was after that stint with the Rams that his career really took off.

Danny Playoff’s Patriots career

In 2013, Amendola became the trusted slot receiver for then New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, joining them just after fellow ex-tech receiver Welker left and signed with the Broncos. Amendola played six seasons with the Patriots and was known for his clutch performances.

Amendola helped take the Patriots to three Super Bowls and two Super Bowl victories. In the 2014-15 playoffs, Amendola had three touchdowns in three games before going on to beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. In that victory, Amendola had one touchdown reception. He also caught a touchdown pass in the Patriots Super Bowl LI victory over the Atlanta Falcons, when they overcame a 28-3 deficit.

When the Patriots played the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship in 2018, it was Amendola’s two touchdowns that helped them get the victory. Though they ended up losing Super Bowl LII to the Eagles, Amendola had eight catches for 152 yards. Even though his regular season stats don’t necessarily show it, Amendola was one of the most clutch players in the NFL, and always came through when it mattered most. In 12 postseason games with the Patriots, “Danny Playoff” had 57 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns. In total with the Patriots, Amendola had 230 grabs for 2,383 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Amendola finishes his NFL career

After his last season with the Patriots in 2018, there was some talks of Amendola retiring, but he just wasn’t ready to walk away from the NFL yet. He went on to play one season with the Miami Dolphins, where he played with fellow Red Raider Jakeem Grant. In 2019, he joined the Detroit Lions, and in his first season, Amendola saw 97 targets in 15 games. He played a second season with the Lions before playing his final season with the Houston Texans in 2021.

Now at the end of his career, Amendola has played 163 games and had 617 receptions for 6,212 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns. Though he never saw a post season after his time in New England, he had at least 45 catches and 575 receiving yards each year.

Amendola has been spending time recently filming a movie called “80 for Brady”, in which he’s been able to re-live some of those glory days with Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski.