Donald Driver discusses Week 2 of ‘Dancing With the Stars’

The Times is pleased to have Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver guest-blogging for us while he competes on “Dancing With the Stars.” Every Tuesday, Driver, a Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl player, will answer a few questions from Sports Now editor Houston Mitchell and give some insight into the competition. Here are Driver’s thoughts about Week 2, which he offered via email.

Q: It has to be pretty nerve-wracking dancing in front of millions of people. When do your nerves kick in, and when do they go away?

I actually haven’t been nervous at all. I’m just having fun and enjoying the experience. It is difficult to learn the dances, don’t get me wrong, but once the bright lights go on it’s game time. I have a great partner in Peta [Murgatroyd], so that helps.

Q: You said your nickname as a kid was Quickie. Who gave you that name and why?

My family gave me the name because I was always running around the house real fast. The name has stuck with me to this day and is used in the titles of my kids books: “Quickie Makes the Team,” “Quickie Handles a Loss” and “Quickie Goes to the Big Game.”

Q: Perhaps for the first time in “Dancing With the Stars” history, Len Goodman admitted he made a mistake last week by giving you only a 7. What was your reaction when you heard him say that?

It felt good. Peta and I felt like we did a real nice job with the dance last week, it was nice to hear Len acknowledge that. But like he said, the judges only have a few seconds to make their decision and sometimes they get it wrong. I heard we made DWTS history because that has never happened, so that’s pretty special!

Q: You have watched “Dancing With the Stars” since Season 1. Was there anything that surprised you about the show now that you are competing in it rather than just watching it on TV?

I am not completely surprised necessarily, but it is really fun actually being on the show rather than just watching it. I knew it was going to be a lot of hard work. I’m just enjoying the opportunity to experience it all first-hand.

Q: Pro football players always do very well on the show, with two past champions and many others finishing in the top 6. Does that give you any extra pressure?

Not at all! Peta and I are going to work hard and do the best we can. The result will take care of itself. But I have received some good advice from Chad [Ochocinco] and some of the other guys so hopefully that will help!

And speaking of experiencing the show rather than just watching on TV: The Donald Driver Foundation is partnering up with NetRaffle.org to give two fans the chance to come out to L.A., hang out with me and be in the audience for a live taping of DWTS! And it only costs $2 per ticket! Any raffle tickets you purchase will benefit my charitable foundation. The deadline to buy tickets is Friday, so hurry up and grab your tickets today!

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Hines Ward’s “Dancing With the Stars” blog

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Donald Driver discusses Week 2 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’