Donald Driver discusses Week 9 on ‘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.” Each week, 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 9, which he offered via email.

Q: Obviously, everyone wants to win the Mirror Ball, but deep down, when you started competing this season, did you think you would reach the final four?

I did. I knew Packer Nation would be behind me through the whole competition, and they haven’t disappointed. The support they’ve shown me both on and off the football field throughout my entire career is something I’ll remember forever.

Q: What went through your mind when you saw Katherine Jenkins almost faint after her dance?

You just want to run out onto the floor and help her out. She is such a sweet person, you hate to see her in pain like that. Hopefully she’ll be all right.

Q: Judging by the tape shown before your last dance Monday, it seems your wife, Betina, saved you from going down the wrong path. How important has her support been during this whole competition?

When we started dating she put her foot down and said it’s either me or the drug dealing. I didn’t want to lose her so I knew what I had to do. I truly don’t know where I’d be without her. The support she has given me throughout our entire marriage, including this competition, has been amazing. Without her or the kids by my side I wouldn’t have been able to make it as far as I have.

Q: What is it going to take to get a 10 from Len? Maybe you should have your mom talk to him!

It’s going to take a perfect dance. No extra steps, head pointing in the right direction, etc., etc. Hopefully I make the finals and get a couple more opportunities to achieve perfection.

Q: Tell us about the children’s books you have written, since children’s books aren’t what you would expect from an NFL superstar.

I’ve written three books: “Quickie Makes the Team,” “Quickie Handles a Loss” and “Quickie Goes to the Big Game.” The books are based off the bedtime stories I tell my own children to teach them about overcoming adversity and rising to life’s challenges. It’s been truly special for me to have other parents come up and tell me that my stories have taught their kids to dream big and never let anyone tell them they can’t achieve their goals.

You can buy all three books through my website and “Quickie Goes to the Big Game” through the iBookstore. A portion of the proceeds from every book sale goes to benefit the Donald Driver Foundation.

In addition to being the Packers’ all-time leading receiver and a children’s book author, Driver 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.

ALSO:

Clippers already hurting in Game 1 loss

U.S. archer Brady Ellison in hunt for Olympic medal

Los Angeles Kings don’t miss a trick in rolling to 2-0 series lead

Donald Driver discusses Week 9 on ‘Dancing With the Stars’