(above) NFL great Randall McDaniel was sporting a DU cap on Saturday night in Mariucci ArenaRandall McDaniel is the University of Denver's latest high-profile supporter. The NFL Hall of Famer and 12 time Pro Bowler is the uncle of current player Jarrod Mermis and future recruit Dakota Mermis, who will enroll at DU in 2012.
On Saturday night McDaniel and his family were cheering on the Pioneers in Minneapolis where they reside. McDaniel played for the Minnesota Vikings for 11 seasons and is considered to be one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.
Dakota Mermis is not the only member of DU's future recruiting classes with famous athletic relatives. Forward Garrett Allen's aunt is five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, speed skater Bonnie Blair. 2011 recruit Larkin Jacobson's step-father is two-time Stanley Cup winning forward Ruslan Fedotenko, who currently plays for the NY Rangers.
On Saturday night McDaniel and his family were cheering on the Pioneers in Minneapolis where they reside. McDaniel played for the Minnesota Vikings for 11 seasons and is considered to be one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.
Dakota Mermis is not the only member of DU's future recruiting classes with famous athletic relatives. Forward Garrett Allen's aunt is five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, speed skater Bonnie Blair. 2011 recruit Larkin Jacobson's step-father is two-time Stanley Cup winning forward Ruslan Fedotenko, who currently plays for the NY Rangers.
2011 Recruiting ClassD Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
2012 Recruiting Class
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)
2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
6 comments:
Next to being an NFL Hall of Famer, being a Denver Pioneer fan is the next best thing!
Welcome to the Pioneer family, Randall.
Randall is the Uncle of Jarrod Mermis and was with the Mermis family this weekend.
Thanks for the heads up. When I Googled Zac Larazza, the McDaniel connnection came up on the USA hockey site. But it turns out the connection was mentioned in the Dakota Mermis bio.
Was not exactly a great game to watch Denver hockey though
LOL. This is just great. I knew Randall at Arizona State University where he and fellow offensive lineman, Todd Kalis, would have lunch at my dorm. My roommate and I would often sit with Randall and Todd at lunchtime. Great guys. Man, I wish I would have been up there at Minny to see Randall again. He was an offensive lineman at ASU and helped lead ASU to it's first Rose Bowl appearance and victory (over the Jim Harbaugh led Michigan Wolverines).
McDaniel is a badass. In addition to being an NFL Hall of Famer, he was also a world-class powerlifter.
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