As the semi-finals of “Dancing With the Stars” approach, many impressive athletes are vying for the coveted title.

Among them is Danny Amendola, a two-time Super Bowl champion, who helped the New England Patriots secure victories in 2014 and 2016 alongside Tom Brady, and who is now dancing alongside Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik.

With his professional partner Witney Carson, Amendola has brought his sportsmanship to the dance floor, achieving consistently high scores and wowing audiences with his skills and technique.

Here’s everything you need to know about this Olympic athlete and “Dancing With the Stars” semi-finalist.

Who is Danny Amendola?

Born Daniel James Amendola, he is a retired wide receiver in American football who played for various NFL teams over his 14-year career. He signed with five teams and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams while playing with Tom Brady for the New England Patriots.

Amendola’s roots trace back to Boston, though he grew up and still lives in Texas, where his father coached at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball and later at Dekaney High School.

He has also dabbled in modeling and began working with Ford Models in 2017, showcasing his talents at New York Fashion Week for Phil Plein that same year. More recently, before joining DWTS, he appeared on FOX’s reality series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test in 2023.

Amendola is currently single but has been in relationships with well-known figures, including model Olivia Culpo and actress Jean Watts, with whom he had a tumultuous breakup in 2019 that attracted media attention due to their public disputes.

Danny Amendola’s NFL career

Amendola entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 after playing college football at Texas Tech. He spent his initial year on the Cowboys’ practice squad and another year with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the St. Louis Rams in 2009, where he played his first regular-season game.

He signed a lucrative five-year deal worth $28.5 million with the New England Patriots in 2013, participating in three Super Bowls and winning two of them from 2013 to 2017. In 2018, he joined the Miami Dolphins on a two-year contract but was released a year later and went on to sign with the Detroit Lions for a one-year deal of $4.5 million.

He extended his contract with the Lions for another year before signing with the Houston Texans for a one-season deal worth $2.5 million in 2021. After announcing his retirement in July 2022, he transitioned into coaching as an assistant and returners coach for the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2023 season.

Throughout his career, Amendola played 163 games with 76 starts, achieving 617 receptions for 6,212 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns among stints with teams including the Rams, Patriots, Dolphins, Lions, and Texans. He concluded his NFL journey with a total of 11,761 all-purpose yards.

Danny Amendola on “Dancing With the Stars”

As they head into the semi-finals, Amendola and Carson are set to perform a waltz to John Mayer’s “Gravity” and a salsa to the hit “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin.

Amendola has impressed audiences and judges alike with his athletic build, often showcasing his strength in graceful lifts and choreography, which earn him top scores almost every week. His first perfect score of 10 came during the sixth week after a captivating Argentine Tango dance to “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe in a Halloween special.

How to watch Danny Amendola on “Dancing With the Stars”

Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” features its semi-final episode on Tuesday, Nov. 18, airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+. The episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu following the live broadcasts.

Fans can place their votes at www.dwtsvote.abc.com or by texting 21523 during the live show.