Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Daniel Bender: Football is life and all my friends and family can vouch for me when I say this. I work out daily, every day God wakes me up I try to find ways to be a better player and person.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
Daniel Bender: I grew in Duval County, Florida. My childhood was great. I experienced the bad side far as staying in the hood with crime going on around me. When I got older I stayed in a nice community where people didnt lock their doors at night.
Joe Gaiter When did you first start playing sports?
Daniel Bender: My first sport was coach pitch baseball when I was in the 2-3 grade. My first organized football season was when I was in 4th grade for the Forestview Athletic Association.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories at Sandalwood High School?
Daniel Bender: My fondest memories at Sandalwood was practicing in front of FBS college recruiters, trying to prove you were worthy. Having certified D1 athletes around you every time you look to your left or right and meeting my daughter’s mom.
Joe Gaiter Do you feel like you were prepared for college life?
Daniel Bender: For football I was but mentally I believe no one can prepare to be away from their loved ones months at a time.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you pick Shaw University as your college of choice?
It was God’s plan, my trainer knew the basketball coach here so he was able to get me a personal tryout for fall camp before my freshman year. They were my only option that’s why I will forever be a bear!
Joe Gaiter Tell us about your year on the field.
Daniel Bender: This year was my best year I ever had in football I had 60 catches 716 yards 6 touchdowns. I led my team in all receiving categorizes and helped us get to 5-5 record. This was our best season since I been here and its only up from here.
Joe Gaiter Shaw was 5-5 this year. What do feel made you not win more games?
Daniel Bender: We lost a lot of games early off lack of discipline and everyone wasn’t all in to what the coaches was preaching.Also we could of executed more on offense to help our defense out early on in the season.
Joe Gaiter What are the keys in being a good wide receiver?
Daniel Bender: Blocking, film study, hands, route running and keeping God first.
What do you feel your role is on the team?
Joe Gaiter My role on the team is leader by example. I rather show you how its done then just talk your head off with things that just sound good.
Joe Gaiter Where and with who are you training during the offseason?
Daniel Bender: Every offseason I’m back and forth from Florida working out in a gym named “Back to Basics” with trainers Jerrand Nesmith, Melvin Webber, Russell Flowers. While in school I work out with Wayne Hall who is a great strength coach.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Daniel Bender: Great teammate, Hard-worker and the player that never gives up.
Joe Gaiter What is your untold story?
Daniel Bender: A young black male from the north-side of Jacksonville, Florida who made it out and who worked for everything he has. As a former walk-on, I wouldn’t want anything easy. I rather grind for it until I reach my goal. It makes you a better athlete when you work towards something. Also a kid who always found his way to workouts whether it was bike rides, walks or catching rides from different people throughout the years. I am the person that will not let anyway get in the way of pursuing my dreams. I’ll always find a way to get better no matter what.
