ASHBURN – Philip Daniels has watched every high school football game his son has played this season. On Friday night, he’ll watch from an unusual spot: the stands.
Recommended Stories
And he has the NFL’s schedule makers to thank. Because the Redskins play in his hometown of Chicago on Sunday, coach Mike Shanahan will allow Daniels to fly there after practice Friday so he can attend his son DaVaris’ game that night. DaVaris Daniels, a receiver headed to Notre Dame next fall, plays for Vernon Hills (Ill.) High School.
It also happens to be Senior Night.
“To be able to walk on the field with him for Senior Night, that’s big for me,” Daniels said.
To this point, Daniels has followed home games via Skype and watches film that the coaches send him from every game. His wife, who lives with Daniels here most of the week, returns home for her son’s games.
That leaves the Redskins end at home by himself watching on the computer.
“I feel like I’m there,” he said. “I’m in the house yelling to myself, having fun with it. Some fans watch it with me on Facebook, talking to me as it’s going on. I’m [tweeting] as it’s going on. It’s fun for me, but I’d rather be there live.”
Daniels’ son is a triple threat. He can pass (7-for-17, 112 yards, one touchdown), catch (11 passes, 290 yards, four touchdowns) and run (363 yards, six touchdowns). He also has two punt returns for scores and three interceptions. Oh, and he’s scored twice defensively, too.
“I’m living the dream, watching him play,” Daniels said.
Daniels has three other children, two daughters ages 12 and 9 and a son, 6, who just started playing football. Daniels did not want to move his family after signing with Washington in 2004.
“You do have to sacrifice some things,” Daniels said. “I miss out on those things.”
But not Friday. And this is what he’s looking forward to:
“Just the opportunity after the game to hug him and say, ‘Congratulations,’?” Daniels said, “to hang out with him to go get something to eat and hang out and talk football.”
