Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has credited Washington Commanders counterpart Dan Quinn with turning his life and profession within the NFL round in his struggle for sobriety.
In January 2016, then-Atlanta Falcons head coach Quinn confronted McDaniel, who was a part of his offensive workers, over his ingesting.
It was an intervention that prompted McDaniel to surrender ingesting, staying sober ever since as he climbed the teaching ladder to a primary head teaching job with the Dolphins in 2022.
McDaniel guided Miami into the playoffs in every of his first two seasons in cost, however has come beneath fireplace as a consequence of their 3-7 begin to this season, following an 8-9 report final yr.
He now prepares to face Quinn and the Commanders on Sunday as the 2 groups conflict within the first NFL Worldwide Sequence sport to be performed in Madrid, Spain – reside on Sky Sports activities NFL from 2pm UK time (kick-off, 2.30pm).
“Dan Quinn holds a special place in my heart and my career,” McDaniel advised the media on Wednesday.
“He was there at floor zero after I grew to become sober and supported me and gave me the chance to proceed what I like to do.
“For that, I’ll be forever indebted to him.”
McDaniel added: “I think it speaks to the type of leader he is – I know he really touches every player he coaches from a true, authentic standpoint.
“I feel the Commanders are very lucky to have him.”
Quinn’s Commanders have additionally limped their method to a disappointing 3-7 report this season, one yr on from a run to the NFC Championship sport in Quinn’s first yr in cost.
Reflecting on the position he performed in McDaniel’s sobriety, Quinn advised reporters: “For all of us, when there’s an issue, sometimes you don’t want to let someone you’re with know.
“You are relying on them, they’re relying on you. However leaning in is the most important energy you are able to 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.
“That is precisely what Mike did. He mentioned ‘that is what I am engaged on and the way I’ll do it’, and that is when the actual work begins.
“It takes a lot of guts to do that, and that’s one of the reasons I’m real proud of him.”
The Miami Dolphins face the Washington Commanders on the iconic Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL from 2pm (kick-off, 2.30pm). Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.

