Dolphins‘ McDaniel Credits Commanders’ Quinn with Pivotal Role in Sobriety Journey
MADRID – Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel revealed he remains “forever indebted” to current Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn for a crucial intervention that steered him toward sobriety earlier in his NFL career. The revelation, resurfaced from a 2023 “Hard knocks” appearance and further discussed by Quinn on Wednesday from Madrid, details a period where McDaniel confronted a struggle with alcohol.
McDaniel’s battle with drinking came to a head after he was fired from his position as an offensive assistant with the Houston texans, in part due to its impact on his performance. Following the dismissal,Atlanta Falcons coaches Quinn,Kyle Shanahan,and Raheem Morris collectively approached McDaniel,expressing their concern that he was drinking too often – an assessment McDaniel acknowledged. He subsequently spent 865 days out of the NFL before Shanahan brought him onto his staff in Washington in 2011.
The turning point,McDaniel has said,came when he had to share the coaches’ concerns with his wife,Katie. Her disappointment,he explained,solidified his commitment to change. “It was that moment that I said, ‘I will never drink again,'” McDaniel told HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in 2023. He has maintained sobriety as that day.
Speaking from Madrid, Quinn emphasized the importance of confronting difficult issues and seeking support. “For all of us, when there’s an issue, sometiems you don’t want to let someone you’re with know,” Quinn said. “You’re counting on them, they’re counting on you. But leaning in is the biggest strength you can do. In that space, all you want to do is help and give support, and then the real work begins for the person in that spot.”
Quinn praised McDaniel’s proactive approach to recovery.”That’s exactly what Mike did. He said this is what I’m working on and how I’m going to do it, and that’s when the real work begins. Part of the reason I’m so proud of him is this is somthing that’s happening and this is how I’m going to deal with it, and I’m going to stay connected to that. … It takes a lot of guts to do that.”
The story highlights the often-unseen support systems within the NFL and the courage required for individuals to address personal challenges, even as they navigate the pressures of a high-profile career.
