Donald Driver analyzes the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ finale

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, who blogged for The Times while winning “Dancing With the Stars” last season, spent some time discussing this season’s competition with Sports Now editor Houston Mitchell. Driver, a Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowl player, offered his thoughts via email.

Q: Are you surprised that Emmitt Smith was eliminated just before the finals? Most people had him favored to win.

I was a bit surprised, but that’s the nature of the competition. An all-star was going to get sent home, it just happened to be him. I’m sure he’s disappointed, but at the end of the day he’s still a “Dancing With the Stars” champion. He still gets to go home and look at that mirror ball trophy he won in season three.

Q: Who do you think will win?

I have heard a lot of people say Shawn [Johnson], but like you said, Emmitt was the favorite before that and now he’s no longer in the competition. I may just have to weigh in during the show tonight or tomorrow from my Twitter account (@Donald_Driver80) with my final prediction after the dances tonight!

Q: How would you have fared during this season?

I haven’t thought about it too much, but I think I would have done well. Peta and I would have been able to pick up pretty much right where we left off and I know Packer Nation would have been right behind us.

Q: It’s been a few months since you competed. What do you remember most about the competition now that you have had time away from it?

The people. The amount of fan support I received was truly something special that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’ll also always remember the great friendships I formed with my fellow cast mates. Peta and I are still great friends, she visited Wisconsin this summer for my charity softball game and I’m hoping to make it to Australia in the off-season.

In addition to being the Packers all-time leading receiver, Donald Driver has written three children’s books and is the founder of the Donald Driver Foundation, which focuses on helping homeless families get back on their feet along with providing educational resources to children in need. You can follow Donald’s “DWTS” journey on his Facebook and Twitter pages.

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