Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie tight end Dante Daniels has a story that transcends football.
Drafted 10th overall last month, the 272-pound, six-foot-five tight end grew up in Windsor, Ontario, as the third oldest of six children. His mother struggled with drug addiction, his father abandoned the family when he was seven, and by his teen years, Daniels was homeless and couch-surfing.
A foster family, Jen and Joel Fillion, took him in and became his legal guardians when he was 16. Daniels credits them with saving his life.
"Getting to call Joel and tell him everything he helped me do has worked out ... it was awesome to show him he didn't waste his time on me," Daniels said.
Head coach Mike O'Shea said Daniels' backstory provides an undeniable spark to the locker room.
"There are a lot of guys that come with a very inspiring backstory ... and it gives you more energy," O'Shea said.
The Bombers traded up three spots to grab Daniels, prompting a viral draft room celebration from general manager Kyle Walters, who called him a "CFL unicorn."
Quarterback Zach Collaros sees Daniels as a game-changer on offense, creating matchup problems for defenses as a rare tight end with both blocking and receiving ability.
Daniels, now 24, married, and reconnected with his father, says football was his escape from hardship.
"Realizing in this sport that you could hit someone legally and not get arrested for it, I take my aggression out from my childhood," Daniels said.