As a true freshman at Texas Tech, Danny Amendola got a taste of the bright lights and took a punt back for a touchdown.

It was only a glimpse into the career full of highlights that culminated in an incredible senior season that was full of big games, none bigger than beating no. 3 Oklahoma. The bright lights didn't phase Amendola, who caught nine balls for 81 yards.

I can still hear Jones Stadium chanting, "Danny! Danny! Danny!" as no. 20 waited back to return punts.

Oklahoma v Texas Tech
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In his NFL career, Danny Amendola has more return yards than receiving and has battled injury, not being drafted and being cut by two different teams.

Still, the lights didn't phase him.

In 2013, Danny joined the New England Patriots. In his playoff debut, he caught three passes for 77 yards. A year later, in his first Super Bowl, he caught a touchdown that sparked a 10-point comeback against the Seattle Seahawks. He tripled his touchdown production in the playoffs from his regular season.

In Super Bowl LI, Danny Amendola and the Pats were down 28-3. Danny scored the touchdown that made it 28-20, then completed the comeback with a two-point conversion on the next touchdown to tie the game and send it to overtime, where they would win the game.

Adam Glanzman - Getty Images
Adam Glanzman - Getty Images
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In this year's playoffs against the Tennessee Titans, Amendola had 11 catches for 112 yards. He topped that performance in the AFC Championship game with seven catches and 84 yards along with two huge touchdowns in a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The touchdowns on Sunday were the only two by Tom Brady and the last 14 points of the game. Amendola also completed a pass in the game.

On a local radio show in Boston Monday morning, Tom Brady commended Danny's skills and discussed the go-ahead touchdown.

"The fact that Danny was as close as he was to the back line and made the catch and had the awareness to get both feet down and then secure the catch in a way that left no doubt in people's mind, was incredible," Brady said, adding: "He's got incredible hands, incredible body awareness, and body control."

Tom Brady loves Danny Amendola. Just look at them.

AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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Game respects game.

AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Just a couple of GOATs.

AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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A man and his favorite playoff receiver when Rob Gronkowski is hurt.

Danny Amendola and the Patriots will face the Philadelphia Eagles, another of Danny's former teams that didn't believe in him, in Super Bowl LII on February 4th, 2018.

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