FRISCO, Texas – He may be the largest and strongest of the Cowboys’ defensive line, but defensive tackle Daniel Ross came from the most humble of beginnings. During practice at the Star in Frisco, Ross dances extravagantly to the beat while completing his stretches, but the journey to “America’s Team” was a long and challenging road for No. 93.
“ My childhood growing up in Louisville Kentucky was not a pretty sight, “ Ross relayed. “ It was hard but I had a group of people, my family. My granny growing up was my role model. She was a hard worker, even though she did not have too much. My oldest brother and me lived with her. My mom, she could not take care of herself at the time due to financial stability. My granny took over my mothering job. I stayed with her since I was three. When I was 17, she passed away in ’07. “
His granny is the reason Ross never gave up through the difficulties that awaited him. She supported his passion for the game of football and taught him to never settle for anything less than his dreams, and now she is watching over him as he lives out his passion as a starting DT for the Cowboys on the greatest sports stage: the National Football League. Like the angel ornaments she used to craft for neighbors at Christmas time, now she is his angel, smiling down on him.
““It took a big part of me but she always taught me to not let anyone discourage you or never get down on yourself. Just keep pushing and chase your dreams and one day I might see you on the big screen. I took all that into consideration and combined that with my drive and determination and the sport that I love which is football. “
Ross made the transition from basketball to football in high school to pursue his calling. After playing two years of football at Northeast Mississippi Community College, he went to the Canadian Football League and bounced between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Edmonton Eskimos. When he left Saskatchewan in 2017, he came to Texas to his first NFL team: the Houston Texans. He moved between several practice squad teams and dealt with several roster cuts throughout his NFL career. The Texans cut Ross twice after he played with them during the Spring and Summer, from there he ventured to Detroit. He was with the Lions for a week before being cut, and then he went to Kansas City. He was with the Chiefs for eight weeks then made his move to Dallas, after the Cowboys picked him up from KC’s practice squad.
Throughout the struggle of moving to city after city and undergoing cut after cut, Ross battled the instinct to quit. “ I had many conversations with my wife just thinking about if I should give it up or should I go find a job. I worked at Champs; I worked landscaping up in Canada shoveling snow. I tried it all; I even tried to be an electrician; anything to pay the bills. I was trying to put my hand in it. “ He got a call from his agent Matt Striegel and he said, “the NFL wants to give you a shot.” “ We took all my abilities down here.“
In week five’s matchup against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, Ross had several quarterback knockdowns on mobile QB Deshaun Watson, limiting his timing in the pocket to release the ball and their offense’s success. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli described Ross’s progression in Dallas’ defensive line “He does a nice job of working everyday. He shows up and he is a talented guy. He just has to keep learning and keep battling every week. He did a real nice job (Sunday). “
Ross attributes his success in the NFL and throughout his journey to his faith and reliance on God. “If I did not have my wife and the man upstairs, I probably would have quit: without a doubt. “
The verse he lives by is Psalm 27:1 “ God is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? He is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? “ That verse kept him going through the years as he faced setback after setback. He had the verse tattooed on his bicep to be a reminder each day.
He recognizes each day as a blessing and does not take it for granted. He dances his way through life and sketches in his free time with a smile on his face, because he does not fear the future. He remembers where he came from and holds it close to his heart. His granny could not give his brother or him much, but she always provided them with clothes on their backs and food on the table. The life lessons she taught Daniel through their beloved car rides is what resonated with him and has guided him to the position he is at with the Cowboys and made him the man he is.
Each day, Daniel and his wife reflect on where they used to be and how far God has taken them. “ Putting on that star every night is just a blessing in disguise. Just to play in the NFL, but to be on America’s Team, I have chills just talking about it. It is just a breathtaking moment for me. “
He is proof that God’s plan cannot be thwarted and that anything is possible with the right determination and persistence of a goal. Not only is Ross in the NFL, but he is playing for the largest sports franchise in the world. Daniel is where he used to only fantasize about being in his mind. So many times when people watch TV, they just see a jersey number on the field, but there is a unique background story behind each player. Ross has an incredibly motivating story and I can think of no one more deserving to be in the position he is in. Good luck on the gridiron come Sunday!
