TOUGH LIKE TANK
by Craig Woodson and Aaron Brooks

On Sunday February 3rd, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona, well over one hundred million people watched in anticipation as one of the biggest sporting events in modern history got underway: Super Bowl XLII.

It was truly a David vs. Goliath matchup. The undefeated (18-0) New England Patriots against the underdog New York Giants. New England had the superstars, the talent, and a record in sight, the Giants however had the determination, heart, and the will to make their own history.

The first three quarters of the game were largely a defensive battle, as both teams combined for only 10 points, with the Patriots leading 7-3 entering into the final quarter. Then came perhaps the defining play of the game: faced with third down and five yards to go from their own 44-yard line with 1:15 remaining and the Patriots ahead 14-10, Giants QB Eli Manning avoided what looked like a sack and completed a 32 yard pass to wide receiver David Tyree who made a leaping catch by pinning the ball on his helmet which put them in Patriot territory. Four plays later, New York wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught a touchdown pass with 35 seconds left. The 12 point underdog New York Giants had won the game in possibly one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. Little did the world know that one of Searcy's own had just become a world champion.

The two time All-American Torrance "Tank" Daniels was born December 27, 1981 in Clarendon, Arkansas. "I'm just a typical country boy," he says. "I graduated with only 63 kids so it wasn't a big school or town."

When he was three years old, a friend of his older brother gave him a unique nickname. "I have been told that my head has been the same size since I was a baby," he says. "One day my brother's friend said, "Man, your brother has like a big tank head." So I've been called Tank ever since. Not even my Mother calls me Torrance!" His nickname would serve him well as he began his career in sports. "I actually started out playing baseball," he says, "but being from a small town I played every kind of sport." Tank was busy with sports year round playing baseball, football, track, basketball and more. During his senior year in high school, he was All State in every sport and his track team won the state championship.

Somewhere along the line though, his passion turned head on into football. He was offered a partial scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. "UAPB was thrilled that I would consider them," he said, "but I never did feel completely right there." Tank's dream was to play college football for a major school and to play on TV. "I thought I was the coolest thing since sliced bread!" he said, "but I never really did apply myself in school, and didn't do well on my ACT, so I was being looked at by those bigger schools but they asked me to go to a Junior College and I didn't want to."

After signing with UAPB, Tank realized that he wouldn't even be able to practice with the team. It was at that point, and after talking with Jeb Huckeba (son of Ronnie Huckeba and at that time Razorback recruit) that Tank decided to try Harding. "I was friends with Jeb," he said, "and since he was a big recruit, I saw him at the Houston Nutt Camp and we got to be really good friends, and he said that I should give his dad a shot."

At that time Coach Huckeba was the defensive coordinator for Harding. "Tank is a very special young man and obviously a talented athelete," he says. "From the first day he sat foot on our campus, he displayed the characteristics that are associated with greatness. He was usually one of the first to arrive at a workout and usually one of the last ones to leave."

After redshirting his first year, Tank went on to becoming a solid player at Harding and recently had his jersey retired for his outstanding accomplishements. "I loved it here," he said, "and I wanted to be the best player that ever came from Harding and D-II football."

During Tank's junior year, he and a teammate by the name of Scott Dutile wanted to make a difference not only on the field, but off the field as well. "I was kind of a party animal and I wanted to change that," Tank said, "so Scott and myself decided that we wanted to leave a mark on this school for more than just statistics or anything that had to do with football." It was at that point that the two began to hold a Bible study for the Bison football players so they could come together and be real with each other. "It's very rare for young men our age, especially athletes," he says. "We act like we never hurt, nothing ever hurts our feelings, we never feel down, we never struggle with anything, so we just wanted to be able to tell each other, "Hey man, I'm weak with whatever it was and pray for each other and draw strength from each other."

During that time, they began to build relationships with each other that would last a lifetime. "It really formed a brotherhood," he said. "I knew how all of them were on the field, but to be able to help them off the field in their spiritual lives was awesome.

When Tank was 21 he married his college sweetheart, Courtney. "Some of my friends were like, "Man, what are you doing getting married?" he said. "But I knew she was the one God had for me." He credits his wife with the success he enjoys today. "If it wasn't for my wife I wouldn't be where I am today," he says, "and my kids as well." Tank has two kids: Jaxson (5) and Grayson (2). "My son amazes me." he says, "he knows all of my teamates by name, even out of their uniforms and he's only five."

He didn't expect to be drafted in the first round, and after coming home from church the next day and watching the rest of the draft and not seeing his name, he began to think his dream had ended. "It really hit home that the draft was over and I didn't get drafted." he said, "but right after the last pick was made, the Philadelphia Eagles called me and said, "Do you want to be an Eagle?" and of course I said yes!"

After only one season with the Eagles, Tank was cut from the team. "When I got cut it was kind of like first love," he said, "this girl you like and think you're gonna marry one day breaks up with you."

But Tank never quit, his realization that the NFL was a business and his belief in himself allowed him to continue on. After working out with several teams, including the Cowboys and Buccaneers, Tank received a call from Steve Spangnuolo (Giants Defensive Coordinator) and signed with the New York Giants.

The dream of being in the NFL had stayed alive, but Tank had no idea of what the coming months would hold in store for him or the Giants organization.

After a so-so regular season, the Giants made it to the playoffs as the NFC Wildcard team. "When you get to the playoffs it's a new season," Tank says. "Who cares what you did during the regular season, it's time to perform now." And did the Giants ever perform. As underdogs in every game they played in the playoffs, the Giants began to pick up win after win on the road. "Everybody counted us out in Tampa Bay, but we won," he said. "So everyone counted us out in Dallas, but we won, and then in Green Bay where it was like twenty below outside everyone said it was Brett Favre weather, and we ended up winning there too. We just took it one game at a time and kept believing in ourselves, even when nobody else did."

Be sure and pick up a copy of this issue filled with lots more stories and photos!

       

       


TANK'S FAVORITES

TV Show: Lost
Movies: Gladiator and Patriot
Restaurants: Shoguns and Capitol Grill in Philly
Foods: Fried chicken, rice, pork chops.
Snacks: Little Debbies
Songs:
              Don't Take the Girl by Tim McGraw
              I'm Still the Guy by Brad Paisley
              Fireman by Li'l Wayne
              Speed by Montgomery Gentry
              My Little Girl by Tim McGraw

Dream Car: Maserati
Most Embarrassing Moment: Running into a clothesline after sneaking to a girl's house.
Funniest Moment on Field: Juked by Reggie Bush
Hidden Talent: Card Player
Super Bowl XLII Prediction: 2 good teams! I hope it's us!
Sport Other Than Football: Baseball


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