I urge you to keep an eye on the Calgary Stampeders receiving corps, and more specifically DaVaris Daniels, the next time the team goes on a road trip.
First of all, DaVaris is going to be rocking a hat (maybe trying to compete with Mike Reilly and his incredible arsenal of head ware?) but that’s not the best part.
DaVaris told me that he and the rest of the pass-catchers are looking to wear LeBron-inspired suit shorts at some point this season. I, for one, am so excited to see this. So excited.
The 2016 Most Outstanding Rookie also feels personally responsible for his dad (Phillip Daniels) having the best game of his NFL career.
You won’t catch DaVaris doing any pre-game routines but you may hear him singing along to every single word to Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off.
All that and more in this edition of TMI!
Kristina Costabile: What’s something that fans would be surprised to learn about you?
DaVaris Daniels: I’m a big animal lover. I like to watch Animal Planet, things like that. I like to learn new things about all kinds of animals.
KC: What do you like to do in your free time?
DD: I just sit at home and play Fifa. All day.
KC: Did you watch the World Cup?
DD: Yes. France! I was cheering for France the whole time! Antoine Griezmann is my favourite player.
KC: What’s on your pre-game playlist?
DD: It’s called Mo Bamba by Sheck Wes. That’s the one that gets me going but it’s a lot of hip hop. I’ve got some R&B on there. I like to switch up my mood so there’s a little bit of R&B on there. There’s some R Kelly.
KC: Sticking with pre-game.. what’s your pre-game meal?
DD: I’m not a big eater before the game so mainly just fruits and vegetables. Bananas for cramping, maybe some pickle juice. They say it (pickle juice) helps with the cramping.
KC: Are you a guy that has to do any specific routines or have any superstitions that you have to do before a game?
DD: I use to be but then once I got here (in the CFL) it kind of stopped because one of my coaches said something that kind of stuck with me. He said, ‘you should only have to do that stuff if you’re not prepared.’ After that I got away from the superstitions and just made sure I practiced hard all week so I’m ready for the game.
KC: You always look pretty swaggy in your Instagram posts and when you go on road trips with the team. Where do you get your inspiration for your looks?
DD: For me, it’s a way to express myself. My girlfriend tries to help me out but it’s just what I feel. I think that’s more fashion than anything. The Russell Westbrook-type, just wear whatever you want. Who cares? Why not? Just wear whatever you feel that day. I’m not a real big hat guy but I’m for sure going to wear a hat on the next road trip. It’s just whatever comes to your mind, just step outside the box and go with it.
KC: Would you ever rock the LeBron suit shorts?
DD: (Laughs). For sure! That’s actually funny you say that because on the next trip we, as a receiver group, talked about doing that as a group.
KC: If you could be stranded on a deserted island with any one of your teammates, who would it be and why?
DD: Probably Rob Maver. He’s smart so we can figure something out together.
KC: What three things would you want to have with you on that deserted island?
DD: Can it be a person? (Editors note: I said yes) Alright, so, water, my mom and… oh man.. On a deserted island there’s no outlets.. That’s tough. Water, my mom and an unlimited supply of fried chicken.
KC: If you were not a football player, what would you be doing?
DD: I’d probably be an actor.
KC: Have you done any kind of acting before?
DD: I haven’t but I feel like it’s coming on lately. I might actually try and do it this off-season or something.
KC: What’s your favourite football memory?
DD: It was my birthday, he (my dad) was playing with the Redskins and I asked him, ‘dad, can you get me a sack?’ And he was like, ‘let me get one or two sacks today.’ That day he had his best game ever. He had four sacks, he set some sort of record for the Redskins at the time. It was a big day for me, I was really happy about it! It stuck with me for a while.
KC: What’s a song that you’re embarrassed that you know all the words to?
DD: Taylor Swift – Shake It Off.
KC: What are you binge watching on Netflix right now?
DD: Not at the moment but the last one I watched was Luther.
KC: If you could have dinner with any three people living or dead, who would they be and why?
DD: That’s a tough one. I’d say first, Jennifer Lopez because I think she’s smart. I think she can help me and we could have good conversation. After that I’d probably go Martin Luther King and last I would probably go with Will Smith.