Phillip Daniels Is My Favorite Redskin Friend

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Of all the athletes I friended on Facebook (to friend is a verb on Facebook), Washington Redskins DE Phillip Daniels is my favorite.

Daniels does what friends do, introduce themselves, and invite you into their personal space.

Daniels proudly shares the exploits of his football playing son, DeVaris, a junior wide receiver at Vernon Hills (Illinois) High School. Daniels' Facebook entry today linked to a profile of DeVaris in Sporting News Today (Nov 8, 2009).

You don't see coverage of Chicago high school sports in the DC Metro area. Facebook lets a proud poppa to share the news with his friends, all 1,106 of them on Facebook in Daniels' case.

The Redskins non-pass rushing defensive end doesn't get much press outside of games. Yet I know him, though we've never met, because of what he shares on Facebook.  

Daniels thanked his fans who congratulated him on Facebook for winning the Ed Bloch Courage Award. He announced on Facebook his intent to play through a torn bicep injury about the time that news was released through NFL channels.

In a discouraging season, Daniels shares his disappointment in the outcome without ever going negative. He's one of the few players to reach out directly to Washington's camp followers. 

He is believable when he says he feels badly for the fans because of his active, personal relationship with them. 

Daniels hopes to build a sports agent business after his playing days (I learned that on Facebook) that could be launched by the time DeVaris Daniels leaves college.

Pro teams start scouting prospects when they are in high school. The Skins are still looking for a super star receiver to draft. With their track record, they'll still be looking when DeVaris turns pro. I wouldn't count on any family discounts from Daniels, but maybe he will say something about it on Facebook.

Chris Cooley is the king of blogs among football players. Daniels and Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald have this Facebook thing down pat.

I know because they are friends of mine. 

Daniels' post about DeVaris reminds me that former Hog Russ Grimm's son, Cody, is a senior strong safety for Virginia Tech . He is credited with 72 total tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles so far this year. 

So lets say, in the wildest dreams of the Redskin faithful, that Russ Grimm is head coach next season. How does that play out when comes time to draft a strong safety?

I'll check that out on Cody's Facebook profile.

Russ Grimm--still one of the football names ever.

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