Packers wide receiver Donald Driver made his premier on Dancing with the Stars on Monday night, and showed some moves he has never displayed on the dance floor. Although he was a crowd pleaser, met with a sustained ovation… until the crowd saw his scores. He received a 21 out of 30, which received a chorus of boos from the crowd, as he was lower than Sherri Shephard, Gladys Knight and Jack Wagner, who all received 23s. Fortunately, no one will be eliminated until after next week’s show.
Driver is and has been a well-known wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers ever since he was drafted by the team in the 7th round of the NFL Draft. He started off his path to becoming a professional football player at Alcorn State University, where he played football and was a member of their track and field team. Football fans across America may not know Driver is actually the most decorated track athlete currently playing in the National Football League. He is an Olympic-level high jumper, being able to jump over seven feet, and could have qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics if he had wanted to.
However, Donald Driver decided to take his talents to the football field, which turned out to be a great career decision. Since Driver has been in the NFL he has been selected to go to the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2006, 2007, and 2011. He has received numerous awards in his twelve seasons in the league, including an All-Pro selection in 2006 and the Packers MVP award in 2002. The Packers also gave Driver the “Walter Payton Man of the Year” award in 2002. He has also been able to break several marks in the Green Bay Packers record book, including all time receptions and all time yardage for a wide receiver. Driver didn’t play a huge role in the Packer’s Super Bowl XLV win on February 6th, 2011 seeing as though he was injured on just his 2nd reception in the game; nonetheless he is a Super Bowl Champion.
In his career so far, Driver has posted 735 receptions, 10,060 yards, and 59 touchdowns, putting him in very elite company. Packers fans praise Driver for his talents on the football field and now they are eager to see what he can do on the dance floor. Packers and football fans across America found out a few weeks ago that Donald Driver is going to be appearing on the 14th season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars”.
Since the state of Wisconsin lives for their Green Bay Packers, Driver expects to have a lot of support on the show. Driver has commented on his experience so far with his dance partner Peta Murgatroyd, telling the media he practices dance for five hours a day. He commented on what his daily routine looks like in the off season nowadays, stating, “In the morning, around 8:30, I’m at the gym working out, I have a personal trainer down in LA, then from there I go straight to dance with Peta.”
Driver says he is thoroughly enjoying his time in the city of Los Angeles and is very fond of his partner. He has called Peta a “doll, sweetheart, and a great person” and has told the media she has a “great personality and character.” The first episode of “Dancing With the Stars” aired on March 19th, with a two hour season premier, featuring Donald and Peta will be dancing the Cha-Cha. Driver is confident in his dancing abilities and says his teammates have been supporting him along the way as well. Fellow wide receiver James Jones has given Driver some great advice telling him, “Don’t get voted off first.”
Driver knows he will have a lot of eyes on him performing on the dance floor, but he knows what it’s like to perform under pressure. Americans, football fans and non-football fans, will be eager to see what kind of moves Driver has on the dance floor. There have been other football players on “Dancing With the Stars” before, and their success really puts the pressure on. Two Hall of Famers – all time receiving leader Jerry Rice and all time rushing leader Emmitt Smith – have come in second and first, respectively. In addition, wide receiver Hines Ward won in his season, and former defensive tackle Warren Sapp came in second. That’s four NFL players finishing either first or second.
Check out the interview with Donald and partner Peta…
