| Damon Denson | |
|---|---|
| Born | [Damon Michael Denson] February 8, 1975 Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | USA |
| Occupation | Preacher Evangelist Writer Mentor Motivational speaker |
| Spouse | Camille Denson |
| Website | |
| DamonDenson.com | |
| No. 61 | |
| Guard | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: February 8, 1975 | |
| Place of birth: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania | |
| High School: Baldwin High School | |
| Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Weight: 305 lb (138 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Michigan | |
| NFL Draft: 1997 / Round: 4 / Pick: 97 | |
| Debuted in 1997 for the New England Patriots | |
| Last played in 1999 for the New England Patriots | |
| Career history | |
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career NFL statistics as of 2000 | |
| Games played | 14 |
| Games started | 4 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Damon Michael Denson (born February 8, 1975) is a preacher, motivational speaker, writer and former American football guard in the National Football League (NFL).[2]
Contents |
Damon Michael Denson was born on February 8, 1975 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. A few years after his birth, his parents moved from Aliquippa to Baldwin, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Ironically, the legendary WPIAL high school football coach Don Yanessa[3] took over as the athletic director and head football coach at Baldwin High School in 1989 after leaving Aliquippa High School and having coached NFL greats Sean Gilbert and Ty Law.
Denson became only the second player in Baldwin High School history to start on the varsity football team as a true freshman. During his junior year, the Fighting Highlanders beat North Hills High School to win their first playoff game in over three decades. During his senior year, Denson was selected as a USA Today High School All-American and chosen to play in the prestigious Big 33 Pennsylvania Football High School All Star Game.
After graduating from high school in 1993, Denson went to the University of Michigan[4] where he became a starter his true freshman year as a defensive lineman. During his junior year he made the switch to offensive guard. Denson along with Jon Runyan, Jon Jansen and Rod Payne helped Tim Biakabutuka rush for 1,818 yards; still the single-season Michigan record. In his senior year, Denson was named a 1st Team All-Big-Ten selection.[5]
In 1997 Denson was drafted by the New England Patriots [6][7] and played under coach Pete Carroll. In 2000 Denson finished his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and subsequently retired.
Denson was converted to Christianity during his freshman year at Michigan. He joined a local church where he was ordained as a minister and began teaching bible study on campus. After being drafted by the New England Patriots, he continued to minister as an evangelist at a local Boston church. Damon's service to humanity spans from ministering in churches and prisons as well as performing Chaplin duties for professional sports teams and speaking at the prestigious NFL sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.
In September 2007 Denson started his own ministry website DamonDenson.com with the mission of empowering people to reach their full potential through spiritual and practical guidance.
Damon is married to his wife of eleven years Camille, they have 2 children.