Two-time Tremendous Bowl champion Danny Amendola completed in fifth place in the course of the newest season of Dancing with the Stars. His ultimate performances of the yr in a short time turned awkward after Dwight Howard misconstrued a reference to soccer as one thing much more sexual.
To make issues worse, a refined tribute to Mike Leach was additionally twisted in an analogous method by an viewers that didn’t perceive what it meant.
Amendola performed 14 years within the NFL. Soccer gamers “strap up” their helmet and shoulder pads. When he makes use of the phrases “strap it up,” the previous Cowboy, Eagle, Ram, Patriot, Dolphin, Lion and Texan is speaking about how he would “strap up” earlier than a sport or earlier than a play. It’s not “strap on” it’s “strap up.”
to the most effective teammate, hardest guys & realest cat strolling. glad to strap it up w you Senor. @jerod_mayo51 #captain pic.twitter.com/gjmvXTx7e2
— Danny Amendola (@DannyAmendola) February 17, 2016
Amendola used the expression in correct context after his first sport again from an harm in 2021.
I felt good. I felt good. Anytime you get to get on the market, put your cleats on, strap up, it’s a blessing. Very grateful to be a part of this group, a part of this group.
— Danny Amendola
Howard should not be acquainted with the time period. He (and some individuals standing close to him) made a befuddled face after listening to Amendola say “strap up” throughout his post-dance interview. Julianne Hough additionally doubled down on the saying, which drew much more consideration to the awkwardness.
Amendola didn’t appear to know the response to what he stated, however DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro made positive to make clear that “strap up” is a soccer phrase. It was twisted to imply one thing very completely different.
Danny Amendola was not making a sexual reference.
Right here’s the kicker— Howard was sued by a person named Stephen Harper in 2023, who claimed he was sexually assaulted and compelled him right into a threesome. The eight-time NBA All-Star made it abundantly clear that he “ain’t gotta inform no one the place he places his wooden at” after a cross-dressing man named “Kitty” grew to become a key witness within the case. I solely deliver this as much as say that Howard’s bewildered facial features when he heard Amendola say “strap up” may stem from prior expertise. It was awkward!
Later within the present, Carrie Ann Inaba known as again to the “strap up” misunderstanding. She additionally instructed him to “swing his sword,” which was one thing that legendary faculty soccer coach Mike Leach all the time stated earlier than his premature passing. Amendola performed for Leach at Texas Tech.
Consider it or not, followers of ‘Dancing with the Stars‘ aren’t acquainted with the Leachism so that they giggled. Danny Amendola knew precisely what the decide was saying however the viewers simply assumed she was speaking a couple of very completely different form of sword. Oops!
