Danny Amendola at a Patriots Super Bowl LII Media Availability on Tuesday. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WBZ-AM) -- He was the hero of the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro--Danny Amendola, making the tough catches at clutch times.
But this gridiron success for Danny is something of a New England thing--he didn't catch on with a couple of prior teams in the league, and was asked if he ever got discouraged.
"There have been times where I felt discouraged, but I try to make the most of every opportunity I've ever gotten," he said. "I love playing football, that's what I want to do, so that's what I've been blessed to be able to do."
He says his love of the game came from his father, a Texas high school football coach.
"It's huge, the foundation my dad has set in me for a long time, since I was a kid," Amendola said. "I remember working out in the garage when I was 11, 10 years old, running with bungee cords, resistance bands on the field, timing me in the 40 when I was 12, 13 years old."
"The 'Friday Night Lights' aspect was very real for me growing up, and I take that with me," he added.
He said he always has his father to talk with after every big game and big moment.
"Football is shared in our family, and it's been great," he said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports