As a high school recruit in Southern California, New England Patriots tight end Daniel Fells was equally concerned with using academics to help provide himself with a college scholarship, as he was athletics. “To be honest, I wasn’t too sure,” Fells told CLA when asked about his thoughts of playing at the next level as a prep athlete.
“I’ve been playing competitively since I was 5 in some form of sports. When I got to high school, my coaches told me if I worked hard enough, I could get an athletic scholarship. But at the same time, I was also told about academic scholarships. In my eyes, a free education through athletics or academics was an opportunity that I couldn't just pass on. That's when my work ethic started to evolve," he says.
As a youngster, Fells also played basketball, however, as he says, “my first love in sports had to be baseball. I was a pitcher in high school, and just loved the individual effort it took to be good. I loved the pressure on the mound. It motivated me in a way that helped give me the drive I needed in other sports.”
It was Fells’ older brother who got him interested in football, although his mother followed a strict rule of not letting her sons play until high school. “Our mom wouldn't let my older brother play until he got to high school. Once I saw how much fun he had, I naturally followed his lead once I got to high school,” he told CLA.
In return for allowing her sons to join the football team, Chris Young made it easier on Fells’ mother just before his sophomore year in high school. Young coached the varsity squad and said to Fells, “Wouldn't it be nice, and easier for her if she only had to go to one football game this season?" As Fells recalls, “he was referring to me making the varsity with my older brother.”
“My mom is the rock of our family, and the most supportive mother. She has four boys, and all of us play in sports. Growing up, I remember her being at every single game. She was at all of our football, basketball, soccer, and baseball games. That was a year round job just taking us to all those practices, and games. Plus she worked full time. To this day, I don't know how she managed to juggle all of that. But the most important thing my mom did for me was put an emphasis on education.
Sports were always secondary. If I didn't do homework before practices, I couldn't go. If you don't practice, you couldn't play. If I did badly on any tests, she would hold me out of games. As much as I loved to play, that worked wonders. It instilled in me the desire to do well in school.”
Daniel Fells arrived on the University of California, Davis campus as a freshman wide receiver for the NCAA Division II program led by Head Coach Bob Biggs, where academic success was valued just as highly as athletic success. At 6’4” 225, Fells found himself in a position to make a move to tight end, and was able to make a quick transition into his new role in Biggs’ spread offense that was orchestrated by UC Davis offensive coordinator and former San Francisco 49er quarterback Mike Moroski.
Fells points to UC Davis Aggies coach Bob Biggs as being a person who influenced his desire to succeed at the NCAA level and pursue his dreams of playing in the NFL. Even though he credits Biggs with helping push him towards his goals, he says, “the thing I respect the most about Biggs is that he cared about me and my schooling first.”
UC Davis was a Division II program when Fells signed with the Aggies, and the school soon made the transition to the Division I-AA ranks. Fells was able to use his journey through the small Northern California City of Davis to further motivate himself to achieve success as a professional athlete.
“The biggest thing I heard at the combine from reporters, players, and some coaches was if I thought I could compete at this level. They all said that Davis never really competed against guys that were being drafted or teams that produced NFL caliber players. Those comments simply motivated me. I had a chip on my shoulder to prove that just because I came from a Division II school, we are still capable of competing. We have a talent, and a love for the game just like all the other schools, and I wanted to prove it to everyone who doubted," he says.
Fells’ five year NFL career has already placed him alongside quarterbacks like number one draft pick Sam Bradford in St. Louis, Tim Tebow with the Denver Broncos, and now he finds himself in New England with quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots. Although he has arrived at a great point in his NFL career, Fells’ path to the league wasn’t always the most fun-filled.
“At the time it was a Division II school (UC Davis), now they are I-AA. That wasn't so glamorous to most people (back then). A lot of my peers now came from all the schools you watch on TV. But I think Davis gave me a leg up. Not to take anything away from my peers and their work ethic, but at Davis, we had to work for everything. I had a partial athletic scholarship, and an academic one, but still had a job every year to help pay for my school. Davis gave me a work ethic that is incomparable,” he said.
My favorite memory at Davis was our field. Old Toomey Field was such a fun place to play. Now, if you ever went or go to Davis, they have a nice new stadium there now, but all of my fellow Aggies from years past will understand the history and the humor behind such a memorable field.”
As a former teammate of Fells at UC Davis, I can relate to the sentiment he expressed about Toomey Field and its history.
Fells entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 and developed into a sure-handed pass catcher with the St. Louis Rams. From 2008-2010, the smooth 6'4" 252 tight end averaged over 11 yards per reception and scored five touchdowns with the Rams.
The Denver Broncos recognized Fells' talents and signed him to a one-year deal in 2011. Fells performed up to expectations in Denver, and the New England Patriots caught notice. The former UC Davis Aggie averaged nearly 14 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns with NFL sensation Tim Tebow at the helm in Denver. He looks back on his time in Denver as a great experience. “The most memorable part of my time in Denver was the entire season. You couldn't make up the type of season we had. The things that team did was unimaginable. All the fourth quarter comebacks, our overtime victories, our playoff game against the Steelers, all great stuff,“ Fells said during his interview with CLA.
“As for Tim, I have to say that he is a truly genuine person. He has a huge heart, and a true passion for the game. In his eyes, a game is never over. I think a lot of us fed off that passion. The passion he has for the game, his passion for God, and for life is so much greater.”
Daniel and his wife Nahall Fells are proud parents to a baby boy who will be able to look back on pictures of his father and himself alongside soon-to-be NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Fells is obviously anxious to work more closely with the perennial All-Pro quarterback.
“It's Tom Brady. Future Hall of Famer. Arguably the best quarterback in the game. I mean, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to play with a guy of his caliber. I’m excited to not only be on the field with his talent, but to also learn more about the game from him. I want to be able to see the game through his eyes. That, in my opinion, will make me a better player,” Fells told CLA.
Fells recently signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots, and he’s excited to become a part of their potent offense. “Training camp is the time when guys really get to bond. We are stuck in a hotel together for a few weeks and see each other all day everyday, so you get to know guys a lil’ better at that time. But from what I have gathered so far, this is a good group to be a part of. They seem to have a lot of fun together, and are all really talented players… especially my tight end group. Their stats alone proved that last season. I'm ready to contribute to that,” said Fells.
The 28-year-old tight end is fully aware of what the New England Patriots' franchise means to the NFL. In reference to the atmosphere in New England, Fells says, “It’s unreal. The Patriots organization is well known. They are always competing in the playoffs, and Super Bowls. A lot of that has to do with the head guy (Bill Bellichick). He knows his stuff, and what he is doing. I am honored to be here, and to learn how a world-class team does it year in and year out.”
Fells’ path has brought him from being an underrated high school recruit in Southern California who landed at then Division II UC Davis, to an NFL tight end that will catch passes on Sundays from one of the best quarterbacks in the league’s history as a member of the New England Patriots. CLA wishes Fells the best of luck in this upcoming season and beyond. As a former UC Davis Aggie, this is most definitely a proud moment.
