# Danny Vitale > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Danny_Vitale > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Danny_Vitale.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Vitale > Source revision: 1341455973 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}} {{for|the comedian|Dan Vitale (comedian)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Danny Vitale | image = Danny Vitale 2018 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Vitale with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 | current_team = | number = 40, 45 | position = [Fullback](/source/Fullback_(gridiron_football)) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|26}} | birth_place = [Wheaton, Illinois](/source/Wheaton%2C_Illinois), U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs = 239 | high_school = [Wheaton Warrenville South](/source/Wheaton_Warrenville_South_High_School) | college = [Northwestern](/source/Northwestern_Wildcats_football) | draftyear = 2016 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 197 | pastteams = * [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills) ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns) ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}}) * [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}}) * [New England Patriots](/source/New_England_Patriots) ({{NFL Year|2020}}) | highlights = * Second-team [All-Big Ten](/source/List_of_All-Big_Ten_Conference_football_teams) ([2015](/source/2015_All-Big_Ten_Conference_football_team)) | status = | statweek = | statseason = | statlabel1 = [Rushing attempts](/source/Carry_(gridiron_football)) | statvalue1 = 1 | statlabel2 = [Rushing yards](/source/Rushing_yards) | statvalue2 = 3 | statlabel3 = [Rushing touchdowns](/source/Touchdown) | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = [Receptions](/source/Reception_(gridiron_football)) | statvalue4 = 15 | statlabel5 = [Receiving yards](/source/Receiving_yards) | statvalue5 = 145 | statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue6 = | pfr = VitaDa00 }} '''Dan Michael Vitale III''' (born October 26, 1993) is an American former professional [football](/source/American_football) player who was a [fullback](/source/fullback_(gridiron_football)) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Northwestern Wildcats](/source/Northwestern_Wildcats_football) and was selected by the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) in the sixth round of the [2016 NFL draft](/source/2016_NFL_draft). He was also a member of the [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills), [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns), [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers), and [New England Patriots](/source/New_England_Patriots). ==Early life== Vitale was born one of two sons to Lisa and Dan Vitale. His brother Tommy played as a [linebacker](/source/linebacker) while at [Northwestern University](/source/Northwestern_University). Vitale attended high school in [Wheaton, Illinois](/source/Wheaton%2C_Illinois), the same as former football player [Red Grange](/source/Red_Grange), actor [John Belushi](/source/John_Belushi) and astronomer [Edwin Hubble](/source/Edwin_Hubble).[https://nusports.com/sports/football/roster/dan-vitale/4121 Danny Vitale College Football Profile] NU Sports.com Retrieved February 3, 2023. While attending Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Vitale earned distinctions including places on the [honor roll](/source/Honor_student) and [National Honor Society](/source/National_Honor_Society). He played [high school football](/source/high_school_football) as both a [wide receiver](/source/wide_receiver) and [running back](/source/running_back). During the 2011 season, Vitale earned All-Area and All-State awards. He earned a [letter](/source/letterman_(sports)) in wrestling where he competed at 152 lbs, lettered two years in football and earned letters three years in track. ==College career== Vitale played for [Northwestern University](/source/Northwestern_University), beginning with his freshman season in 2012. He was named to the Academic All-[Big Ten Conference](/source/Big_Ten_Conference) three times, during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. While at Northwestern, Vitale majored in [economics](/source/economics), with minors in business institutions and integrated marketing communications.[https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-vitale-iii-3b325ab1 Dan Vitale III Profile on Linkedin.com] Retrieved February 3, 2023. ==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 7/8 | weight = 239 | dash = 4.60 | ten split = 1.59 | twenty split = 2.69 | shuttle = 4.12 | cone drill = 7.12 | vertical = 38.5 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 3 | bench = 30 | arm span = 31 3/4 | hand span = 9 3/4 | wonderlic = | note = All values from [NFL Combine](/source/NFL_Combine){{Cite web |title=Danny Vitale Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/danny-vitale/32005649-5434-9599-b603-179f4d924335 |access-date=February 14, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Scout Danny Vitale College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=125626&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}} }} thumb|left|Vitale during 2019 training camp. ===Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)=== Vitale was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the [2016 NFL draft](/source/2016_NFL_draft) with the 197th overall pick.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Matt |date=April 30, 2016 |title=NFL draft: Bucs take Northwestern fullback Dan Vitale |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/nfl-draft-bucs-take--northwestern-fullback-dan-vitale/2275428 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502123615/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/nfl-draft-bucs-take--northwestern-fullback-dan-vitale/2275428 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=May 1, 2016 |website=Tampa Bay Times}} He was released by the Buccaneers as part of final roster cuts on September 3, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Bucs Trim Roster to 53 |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Trim-Roster-to-53/497131d1-73d4-477a-9857-dabc52dfaf49 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807072107/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Buccaneers-Trim-Roster-to-53/497131d1-73d4-477a-9857-dabc52dfaf49 |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |website=Buccaneers.com}} ===Buffalo Bills=== Vitale was claimed off waivers by the [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills) the next day,{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2016 |title=Bills claim FB Dan Vitale |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-claim-FB-Dan-Vitale/02f251c3-d3ca-4ab6-a9f8-476d5b41c24f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902012516/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-claim-FB-Dan-Vitale/02f251c3-d3ca-4ab6-a9f8-476d5b41c24f |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} but failed his [physical examination](/source/physical_examination), voiding the contract.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2016 |title=Bills sign four to practice squad |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-four-to-practice-squad/a34f0d03-676e-4a4d-9a95-79b9fb7da2f4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052908/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-four-to-practice-squad/a34f0d03-676e-4a4d-9a95-79b9fb7da2f4 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} ===Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)=== On September 10, 2016, he re-joined the Buccaneers as a member of their [practice squad](/source/practice_squad).{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=September 10, 2016 |title=Josh Keyes Promoted, Danny Vitale Returns |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Josh-Keyes-Promoted-Danny-Vitale-Returns/2839c8b6-215d-462f-9d7f-3529c4d6cdf7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807020540/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Josh-Keyes-Promoted-Danny-Vitale-Returns/2839c8b6-215d-462f-9d7f-3529c4d6cdf7 |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |website=Buccaneers.com}} ===Cleveland Browns=== Vitale was signed off the Buccaneers' practice squad by the Cleveland Browns on October 14, 2016.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2016 |title=Browns sign FB Dan Vitale; place OL Joel Bitonio on injured reserve |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-FB-Dan-Vitale-place-OL-Joel-Bitonio-on-injured-reserve/20a93418-d937-417e-8eaf-12f578f6237c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224113040/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-FB-Dan-Vitale-place-OL-Joel-Bitonio-on-injured-reserve/20a93418-d937-417e-8eaf-12f578f6237c |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} On September 1, 2018, Vitale suffered a calf injury and was placed on [injured list](/source/injured_reserve_list).{{Cite web |last=Gribble, Andrew |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Browns announce 53-man roster |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-53-man-roster |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was released by the Browns on October 12. ===Green Bay Packers=== Vitale was signed to the [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) practice squad on October 22, 2018.{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Packers sign FB Vitale to practice squad |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-fb-vitale-to-practice-squad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022212451/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-fb-vitale-to-practice-squad |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=October 22, 2018 |website=Packers.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 1.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2018 |title=Packers activate Jake Kumerow to 53-man roster |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-activate-jake-kumerow-to-53-man-roster |website=Packers.com}} Vitale appeared in five games for the team during the season.{{Cite web |title=Danny Vitale 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VitaDa00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=January 29, 2020 |website=[Pro Football Reference](/source/Pro_Football_Reference)}} In the 2019 season, Vitale saw some increased usage in the receiving game with seven [receptions](/source/Reception_(gridiron_football)) for 97 yards. He started in four of the 15 games he appeared in.{{Cite web |title=Danny Vitale 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VitaDa00/gamelog/2019 |access-date=January 29, 2020 |website=[Pro Football Reference](/source/Pro_Football_Reference)}} ===New England Patriots=== On March 21, 2020, Vitale signed a one-year contract with the [New England Patriots](/source/New_England_Patriots).{{Cite web |last=Dussault |first=Mike |date=2020-03-20 |title=Report: Patriots sign fullback Dan Vitale |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-sign-fullback-dan-vitale |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Patriots.com}} On July 28, Vitale announced he was opting out of the 2020 season due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Patriots re-sign wide receiver Will Hastings |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-wide-receiver-will-hastings |access-date=July 29, 2020 |work=Patriots.com}} He was released after the season on May 27, 2021.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2021 |title=Patriots Sign TE Troy Fumagalli; Release LB LaRoy Reynolds and FB Danny Vitale |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-te-troy-fumagalli-release-lb-laroy-reynolds-and-fb-danny-vitale |website=Patriots.com}} On June 6, 2021, Vitale announced his retirement from professional football.{{Cite news |last=Bengel, Chris |date=June 8, 2021 |title=Danny Vitale, former NFL fullback, announces retirement from league on LinkedIn |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/danny-vitale-former-nfl-fullback-announces-retirement-from-league-on-linkedin/ |access-date=June 9, 2021 |work=CBSSports.com}} ==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+Regular season statistics |- ! rowspan="2"|Year !! rowspan="2"|Team !! colspan="2"|Games !! colspan="5"|Rushing !! colspan="5"|Receiving !! colspan="2"|Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! Lost |- ! [2016](/source/2016_NFL_season) !! [CLE](/source/2016_Cleveland_Browns_season) | 9 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 27 || 6.8 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [2017](/source/2017_NFL_season) !! [CLE](/source/2017_Cleveland_Browns_season) | 15 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 19 || 6.3 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [2018](/source/2018_NFL_season) !! [GB](/source/2018_Green_Bay_Packers_season) | 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [2019](/source/2019_NFL_season) !! [GB](/source/2019_Green_Bay_Packers_season) | 15 || 4 || 1 || 3 || 3.0 || 3 || 0 || 7 || 97 || 13.9 || 27 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [2020](/source/2020_NFL_season) !! [NE](/source/2020_New_England_Patriots_season) | colspan="14" style="text-align:center;"| ''Did not play due to COVID-19 opt-out'' |- ! colspan="2"| Total || 44 || 13 || 1 || 3 || 3.0 || 3 || 0 || 15 || 145 || 9.7 || 27 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | colspan="16"|Source: [http://www.nfl.com/player/dannyvitale/2555218/careerstats NFL.com] |} ==Post-NFL career== Beginning in November 2021, Vitale founded the health and fitness company VITALETY, LLC. In January 2022, Vitale became Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist for the financial services company [Morgan Stanley](/source/Morgan_Stanley) in [New York, New York](/source/New_York%2C_New_York). ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons}} *{{Sports links}} *[http://www.nusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2890 Northwestern Wildcats bio] {{Buccaneers2016DraftPicks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vitale, Danny}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:American football fullbacks Category:American football tight ends Category:Cleveland Browns players Category:Green Bay Packers players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Northwestern Wildcats football players Category:Players of American football from Wheaton, Illinois Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Danny Vitale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Vitale) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Vitale?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.