Woodrow “Woody” Dantzler III: A dual-threat life
Woody Dantzler drops back to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Sept. 29, 2001. (image courtesy of Woody Dantzler)
Trey Stewart, Sports Editor
Before the likes of Cam Newton, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson began lighting up the stat sheets, the dual-threat quarterback was much more a novelty than a necessity in football.
But just over 20 years ago, one man from the small town of Orangeburg, S.C. was far ahead of his time, making his mark on a football atmosphere that wasnt quite ready for quarterbacks like him yet.
I remember attending Orangeburg-Wilkinson [High School]. It was a very heavily African-American school. I remember everyone used to joke that OW stood for one white because of how few white kids went there, he recalled with slight laughter.
Woodrow (Woody) Dantzler III set the record books aflame throughout his high school football career, culminating in the local legend receiving a scholarship offer from Clemson after his senior season in 1997.
He knew he would never fit the mold of a typical quarterback when he accepted the Tigers offer in 1998. Standing just 5-foot-10, he was far from a conventionally-built player for his position.
But after Tigers starting quarterback Brandon Streeter went down with an injury in the middle of the 1999 season, Dantzler took the reins at Clemson and never looked back. He passed for one touchdown and ran for another, leading the Tigers to a 31-20 victory over North Carolina.
That was my favorite memory, Dantzler said of the game. My good friend Brandon [Streeter] went down injured, and I had to come in. I remember I had my first collegiate touchdown that day and everything. It was unforgettable.
Dantzler stepped in and took control of the Tiger offense, not relinquishing the starting job for the rest of his tenure. He became one of the first modern-era quarterbacks to be as proficient a runner with the ball as he was a passer. Dantzler was a generational talent in an era of football that was still defined by pocket presence.
Dantzlers most memorable moment as a Tiger came during his senior season, where his performance against Georgia Tech helped lead Clemson to a 47-44 overtime victory in a game widely regarded as one of the greatest in ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) history. He rapidly morphed into a folk hero for the Tigers, becoming the face of an ambitious team on the upswing following the recent hiring of then-new head coach Tommy Bowden.
Far too often underappreciated, Dantzler was one of the true pioneers who pushed dual-threat quarterback play into becoming a mainstream football idealism. Juxtaposed with Michael Vick during Vicks time at Virginia Tech, both quarterbacks were instrumental in the shift.
To this day, Dantzler remains the Tigers leading rushing quarterback of all time. He managed to accumulate 2,761 yards on the ground throughout his collegiate career. When it was all said and done, Dantzler totaled 8,798 total yards and 68 touchdowns in a Clemson uniform, good for fourth and fifth in school history, respectively.
Yet despite the success he enjoyed on the field, on campus, Dantzler managed to hold strong to his humility.
There was never really a big man on campus complex at that time, he recalled. Back before social media, there wasnt too much of that. In fact, I remember one time I was sitting in a class next to [former star Clemson basketball player] Terrell McIntyre and had no idea at all. It wasnt until I went to a basketball game with some friends when I saw him and was like, No way, that dudes in my class!
Dantzler visited Clemsons football facilities frequently after retirement. He still assists with the football program to this day. (image courtesy of Woody Dantzler)
And although Dantzler understands the impact he had on Clemson football and football as a whole he recognizes that without some of his predecessors, he would never have been able to climb the heights he reached.
Im just honored to be a part of the cycle, Dantzler said, reminiscing on some of his favorite players who came before him. In the same way that players may rest upon my shoulders now having seen what I was able to accomplish, I rested on the shoulders of others: Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, even Steve Young. You think about some of those guys, and its because of them that I was able to achieve the things I did.
But as the story goes for all former athletes, football didnt last forever for Dantzler.
After etching a permanent mark at Clemson, he played just a few years in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Primarily used to field and return kickoffs during his brief stint in the league, Dantzler made one of the most underrated returns of all-time for the Cowboys in 2002.
I remember that play, Dantzler said of his legendary 84-yard scamper for a touchdown. I remember seeing the highlights of that on ESPN and hearing Chris Berman call that whole return. That was definitely the best play I made in the league.
After being released several times and playing in multiple professional leagues, Dantzler officially stepped away from playing the game he loves in 2010. He settled down with his wife and two daughters in upstate South Carolina, where he still resides to this day. A family man by every definition of the word, Dantlzer recognizes the importance of the Gospel in his everyday life. He has taken that recognition and combined it with his natural gift in communication to promote the only passion more important to him than his family and his football career: his faith.
Dantzler speaking at the Mayors Prayer Breakfast in Asheboro, N.C. (image courtesy of Woody Dantzler)
I do motivational speaking. I do mentoring, and Im looking to get into counseling. Dantzler said of his endeavors. Throughout the experiences and the circumstances of my life, Ive learned many lessons. Whether the experiences were my own or whether the experiences were someone elses, Im so grateful for them because theyve shaped and molded me into the man I am today.
And although Dantzlers football career may be well behind him, he recognizes the impact he made on the field pales in comparison to what he has the potential to do off of it.
I know and understand that my words have power, said Dantzler. I choose to use my words to help people recognize, unlock, and walk in their God-given greatness all the days of their lives. As [Jesus] said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me.
Dantzler used his experiences, ideas and passion for biblical mentorship to help birth his motivational speaking/mentoring organization, WoodenPIECES.
If I burn my hand on the stove, you dont have to burn your hand on the stove, too, Dantzler explained, elaborating on the goal of his ministry. Thats basically what this mentor program is. Speaking into the lives of those that come after you to show them the path. That way, they can become the people God knows they can be.
Dantzler maintains that at the core of his mentorship and motivational speaking, he wants to zero in on one specific truth.
At the end of the day, He died for us and He rose for us. If they take nothing else from what I say to them, let them remember that. Im trying to remind people of that every day that Im here through what I do. Thats what is most important to me.
Woody Dantzler III can be reached for booking and information at info@dantzleriii.com
