Difference between revisions of "Danny Grithead"
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Revision as of 21:00, 10 January 2020
 | This article has been cleared by an Approver on the wiki team. 37thchamber (talk) 06:06, 17 July 2018 (MDT) |
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| No. 23 – Yellowknife Wraiths | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 14, 2000 (aged 62) Canton, OH |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Last Chance U |
| ISFL Draft: | 2025 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 (#6 overall) |
| DSFL Draft: | 2024 / Round: 5 / Pick: 3 (#19 overall) |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Player stats at ISFL.net | |
Danny Grithead (born March 14, 2000) is an American football safety for the Yellowknife Wraiths of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). He played college football for Last Chance U before entering the professional ranks of the DSFL in 2024. Grithead entered the NSFL in 2025 and was selected 6th overall by the Orange County Otters.
Contents
Early years
Grithead was born in Canton, Ohio, minutes away from the National Football Hall of Fame. His father was a youth football coach and was Grithead's coach throughout both high school and college. Grithead was homeschooled by his father as well and was taught the values of hard work, effort, and scrappiness over the typical education. Grithead has only played football his whole life, and in fact has not seen any other sports, on TV or in person.
College career
As a true freshman enrolling at Last Chance U, Grithead impressed in preseason training and earned the role of backup running back, behind star running back O.J. Simpson. While Simpson dominated as the lead back, breaking the single-season rushing record for LCU, Grithead earned some playing time at the end of blowouts. Grithead spent a lot of time in the film room, studying Simpson's jump cuts and behaviour both on and off the field.
Starting in his sophomore year, after Simpson was arrested and kicked out of LCU, Grithead took over as the lead back for LCU. With 27.8 touches per game, Grithead became the bellcow back and ran for 17 TDs, in addition to catching 8 TDs. Grithead topped 500 yards receiving and over 1500 rushing yards, the first LCU player in history to achieve both milestones in the same season. With his tenacity in the gym and his father taking over the LCU Head Coaching job, Grithead became a true superstar in his sophomore season.
However, in his junior year, Grithead was suspended for the first 2 games of the season for off the field conduct. Grithead was arrested for breaking into the gym while it was closed on Memorial Day, refusing to take a day off from his workouts. At last, Grithead's scrappy attitude was beginning to hurt him. With the return of O.J. Simpson from his arrest and acquittal, Grithead was forced to take up a backup role again after serving his suspension.
With Simpson re-cementing his role as lead back for LCU, Grithead declared for the Developmental Simulation Football League draft following the 2023 season.
College career statistics
Grithead left college with a career total of 3,325 rushing yards, 25 rushing TDs, 1,116 receiving yards, and 14 receiving TDs.
| Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | Long | TD | Rec | Yds | Long | TD |
| 2021 | LCU | 14 | 156 | 577 | 3.7 | 41.2 | 27 | 2 | 32 | 297 | 14 | 1 |
| 2022 | LCU | 14 | 317 | 1682 | 5.3 | 120.1 | 38 | 17 | 72 | 504 | 43 | 8 |
| 2023 | LCU | 12 | 187 | 1066 | 5.7 | 86.1 | 47 | 6 | 43 | 315 | 20 | 5 |
Professional career
| Ht | Wt | 40‑yd dash | 20‑ss | 3‑cone | Vert jump | Broad | BP | Wonderlic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
215 lb (98 kg) |
4.35 s | 4.06 s | 7.08 s | 32.2 in (0.82 m) |
10 ft 7.6 in (3.24 m) |
25 reps | 7 | ||||
| NSFL S10 Scouting Combine | ||||||||||||
Danny Grithead was drafted with 19th overall pick in the 2024 DSFL Draft (S9) by the Kansas City Coyotes. With character concerns for coming out of LCU, as well as his suspension in his junior season, Grithead slid down the draft boards. Grithead's record-low Wonderlic score also raised concern about his general ability to take care of himself off the field. However, Grithead managed to become the lead back over the course of the season for the Coyotes, which ended in a disappointing defeat in the first round of the DSFL playoffs.
Orange County Otters
2025 season
Grithead was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 ISFL Draft (S10) by the Orange County Otters. Grithead signed a 3-year rookie contract for $11 million. Grithead switched position from running back to safety. In his rookie season, Grithead started all 14 games, as the Otters worked to a 7-7 record during the regular season.
The Otters advanced to the playoffs, where they faced the 11-3 New Orleans Second Line. Grithead recorded a team-high 9 tackles, but the Otters fell 10-3 in a closely contested game.
2026 season: first Pro Bowl
Grithead elevated his game in his sophomore season with the Otters. Grithead recorded his first interception in Week 7 against the Colorado Yeti. The following week, Grithead shone against the San Jose Sabercats, recording a career-high 12 tackles, 4 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions, including a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown. In Week 11, Grithead recorded a game-winning 51-yard interception return against the Baltimore Hawks, as the Otters won 17-10. Grithead earned his first Pro Bowl, named to the Season 11 NSFL Pro Bowl at the end of the season for the 10-4 Otters.
In Grithead's second playoff game, the Otters faced a rematch against the top seeded 11-3 New Orleans Second Line. Despite taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Otters were blown out 40-13, as Grithead recorded 4 tackles and 2 pass defenses.
2027 season: first Ultimus championship
In his third season, Grithead continued to make strides defensively. Grithead had a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Sabercats in a Week 4 loss. Grithead tied his career-high in tackles with 12 against the Arizona Outlaws in a Week 14 loss. Grithead was selected to his second Pro Bowl, the Season 12 NSFL Pro Bowl, as the Otters finished 11-3 as the top seed.
In a first round showdown against the Sabercats, Grithead recorded 6 tackles. Against the potent Sabercats receiving corps including Xavier Flash and Kazimir Oles, the Otters secondary held Sabercats quarterback Joliet L. Christ to 147 yards passing and no touchdowns. The Otters rolled easily to a 35-10 victory, scoring 28 second half points including 21 points in the 4th quarter. The Otters advanced to the Ultimus, where they faced the 8-6 Baltimore Hawks. Grithead had 6 tackles and a forced fumble, leading to an Otters touchdown in the 4th quarter. The potent Otters offense led by Gus Showbiz arrived victorious, winning 48-24, for Danny Grithead's first Ultimus championship.
2028 season: second Ultimus championship
Danny Grithead signed a 3-year, $6 million extension with the Otters. Grithead, along with Otters legend Jaylen Broxton and newcomer Thorian Skarsgard, became part of the feared "Fanta Curtain" defense as the Otters entered the 2028 season. With the retirement of all-time legend Angus Winchester, Grithead and the hungry Otters defense raised their games to the next level. Grithead recorded a new career-high 13 tackles in a Week 2 loss to the Sabercats, and then a new career-high 14 against the Hawks in Week 8. Grithead was named to the Season 13 NSFL Pro Bowl, with the Otters finishing 9-5 and the second seed in the ASFC.
The Otters faced the 12-2 Sabercats as underdogs in the first round. Grithead had 5 tackles and 1 sack against the Sabercats. Sabercats quarterback Joliet L. Christ was held to 259 yards and 1 touchdown with an interception, as the Otters won 31-21 setting up a showdown against the 8-6 Colorado Yeti in the Ultimus. The Yeti, bolstered by several trade acquisitions from the Hawks, posed a sizable challenge. Grithead had 8 tackles in the game, and the Otters emerged with a 24-21 victory for Grithead's second consecutive Ultimus championship.
2029 season: first Defensive Back of the Year
As the leader of the Fanta Curtain, Grithead's game continued to grow. Grithead had 5 tackles, with 1 forced fumble, 3 pass defenses, and 1 interception in a Week 7 win over the Yeti. In an incredible 76-7 win over the Arizona Outlaws in Week 12, Grithead had 9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass defenses, and a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown. Grithead finished the season with 4 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 pass defenses in Week 14 against the Yeti, as the Otters cruised to a 11-3 record and the top seed in the ASFC. Grithead was named to the Pro Bowl for a 4th consecutive season, for Season 14 NSFL Pro Bowl and earned his first positional excellency award, being named 2029 Defensive Back of the Year.
In the first round against the 9-5 Sabercats, the Otters were stunned in a 24-17 loss, giving up 24 unanswered points. Grithead had 7 tackles and 1 sack in the bitter loss.
2030 season
Grithead opened the 2030 season with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kick against the Second Line. Grithead recorded a career-high 15 tackles in the Week 1 victory. Grithead continued in a Week 2 loss to the Sabercats, with 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass defenses. In Week 3, Grithead had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 pass defenses. Grithead had 3 sacks in a Week 7 win over the Yeti. Grithead was named to his 5th Pro Bowl, and was named 2030 Returner of the Year as the Otters finished 8-6 for the second seed in the ASFC.
In a rematch from the previous year to the now 11-3 favorite Sabercats, the Otters fell 37-17. Again, the Otters gave up 23 unanswered points. Grithead had 6 tackles and 1 forced fumble in the loss.
Yellowknife Wraiths
2031 season: MVP season
Grithead joined the Yellowknife Wraiths in free agency, signing a 2 year, $21 million contract with a player option for 2032. Grithead elevated his game to the next level in the north. Grithead had 2 sacks, 3 pass defenses, and an interception in a Week 4 win over the Philadelphia Liberty. Grithead had another interception the following week, Week 5 against the Yeti, and another interception in Week 6 against the Hawks. Grithead had 7 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass defenses, and 1 interception in a loss to the Butchers in Week 7. Following a win over the Otters in his first game returning to Orange County, where he recorded a sack, Grithead had a record-breaking game in Week 9 against the Yeti. Grithead had 5 tackles, 1 sack, 5 pass defenses, and 4 interceptions against the Yeti. This included a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown. In Week 10, Grithead continued his ridiculous form, recording 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions in a win over the Second Line, with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown. Grithead recorded a sack in Week 11 against the Liberty, and 2 more in a win over the Copperheads in Week 12. The Wraiths finished the season 10-3, as the second seed in the NSFC. Grithead's record-breaking season, with 12 sacks and tying the season record for interceptions in a single season with 10, Grithead was named the Defensive Back of the Year for his second time, and won the 2031 NSFL Most Valuable Player Award. Grithead was also selected to his 6th Pro Bowl, the Season 16 NSFL Pro Bowl.
The Wraiths faced the 7-6 Liberty in the first round of the playoffs. Grithead had 5 tackles with a sack, but the Wraiths fell 35-34 in an upset loss.
2032 season: Defensive Player of the Year
Off of his MVP season, Grithead opted out of his $10 million option for 2032 but re-signed with the Wraiths on a 1 year, $11 million contract. Grithead continued his elite performances into 2032. Grithead had 5 tackles with a sack and safety against the Otters in a Week 2 loss. Grithead had 10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defense, and a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown in a Week 5 win over the Hawks. The following week, Grithead had 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and recovery, and 1 pass defense in a loss to the Outlaws. Grithead had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass defense, and an interception against the Yeti in a Week 8 loss. In Week 9, Grithead had 10 tackles, 3 pass defenses, and an interception in a win over the Butchers. Grithead recorded 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in a loss to the Hawks in Week 10. Grithead's form continued in Week 11 with 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 pass defenses, and a safety in a win over the Liberty. Week 12 saw Grithead with 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and a pass defense in a win over the Sabercats. Grithead finished the season with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and a career-high 6 pass defenses against the Copperheads, as the Wraiths finished 8-5 to lead the NSFC. Grithead was named the 2032 NSFL Defensive Player of the Year and selected to his 7th Pro Bowl.
In a first round match against the 5-8 Yeti, the Wraiths rolled to a 50-20 win. Grithead had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 pass defenses, and 2 interception returns for touchdowns, one for 52 yards and one for 39 yards. This set up a NSFC Conference Championship Game match up with the 8-5 Hawks. The Wraiths lost in a nailbiter, 27-24. Grithead posted 7 tackles, a tackle for loss, and 1 pass defense.
2033 season: third Ultimus appearance
The Wraiths and Grithead were hungry for playoff success entering the 2033 season after two seasons of disappointing postseason performances. Grithead signed a 1 year, $4 million contract to stay with the Wraiths. Grithead opened the season with 6 tackles and 4 sacks, with 4 pass defenses in a Week 1 loss to the Hawks. Grithead had 7 tackles and 2 sacks in a Week 3 win over the Sabercats, and 7 tackles with 2 sacks plus a forced fumble and pass defense in a Week 6 win over the Hawks. Grithead was named to his 8th Pro Bowl, the Season 18 NSFL Pro Bowl, following the season as the Wraiths reeled off 11 straight wins, finishing 11-2 to lead the NSFC.
The Wraiths bested the 5-8 Butchers in the first round, 26-16, with Grithead recording 10 tackles and a pass defense. The Wraiths avenged their loss the previous season to the now 6-7 Hawks in the semi-finals, with a 29-14 win. Grithead had 7 tackles, a sack, and a pass defense. This set up a match up in the Ultimus against his old team, the Orange County Otters who had finished 10-3. Grithead led the Wraiths with 8 tackles and a sack, but the team fell short 16-10 in the Ultimus.
2034 season: fourth Ultimus appearance
Grithead returned to the Wraiths for the 2034 season, signing a 1 year contract for $3 million. Grithead endured a slow start to the season, but blitzed the second half, accumulating an impressive 12 sacks in the last 7 weeks of the season. In total, Grithead recorded a career-high 15 sacks for the season, and added two interceptions as the Wraiths clinched the #1 seed in the NSFC, finishing 9-4.
The Wraiths rolled to a 19-3 victory in the first round over the Philadelphia Liberty, with Grithead recording another postseason sack to go with 8 tackles. Next, the Wraiths absolutely drubbed the Hawks 55-14 in the NSFC Conference Championship Game. A rematch with the Orange County Otters awaited in the Ultimus. However, once again, Grithead fell at the final hurdle to his former team, as the Wraiths fell 30-27. Grithead quietly recorded just 2 tackles in the Ultimus.
Professional career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the NSFL | |
| NSFL record | |
| Won the Ultimus | |
| NSFL MVP | |
| NSFL Defensive Player of the Year | |
| Bold | Career high |
| DSFL career statistics | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | Long | TD | Rec | Yds | Long | TD |
| 2024 (S9) | KCC | 14 | 231 | 1128 | 4.9 | 80.6 | 19 | 8 | 35 | 290 | 30 | 2 |
| NSFL career statistics | Tackles | Sacks | Pass Defense | Other | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Reg | TFL | Sack | PD | Int | FFum | FRec | DefTD | Sfty |
| 2025 (S10) | OCO | 14 | 94 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 (S11) | OCO | 14 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2027 (S12) | OCO | 14 | 95 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2028 (S13) | OCO | 14 | 119 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2029 (S14) | OCO | 14 | 103 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2030 (S15) | OCO | 14 | 104 | 0 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2031 (S16) | YKW | 13 | 91 | 0 | 12 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2032 (S17) | YKW | 13 | 93 | 2 | 14 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2033 (S18) | YKW | 13 | 80 | 1 | 11 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2034 (S19) | YKW | 13 | 111 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 136 | 960 | 9 | 69 | 159 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 3 | |
Awards and records
Awards
- Team
- NSFL Ultimus Champion (2): 2027, 2028
- ASFC Champion (2): 2027, 2028
- NSFC Champion (1): 2033, 2034
- Individual
- NSFL Most Valuable Player Award (1): 2031
- NSFL Defensive Player of the Year (1): 2032
- NSFL Defensive Back of the Year (2): 2029, 2031
- NSFL Returner of the Year (1): 2030
- NSFL Pro Bowl Selection (8): 2026 , 2027 , 2028 , 2029 , 2030 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033
Records
- League
- Single Game Records
- 2031; Most interceptions in a single game in the NSFL (4)
- 2032; Most interception return yards in a playoff game in the NSFL (91)
- Season Records
- 2031; Tied for most interceptions in a single season in the NSFL (10)
- Career Records
- 2034; Currently sits in tied sixth place for career forced fumbles in the NSFL (13)
- 2034; Currently sits in tied fourth place for career defensive touchdowns in the NSFL (7)
- 2034; Most playoff career defensive touchdowns in the NSFL (2)
- 2034; Currently sits third in playoff career tackles in the NSFL (97)
- Yellowknife Wraiths
- 2034; Currently holds the record for most interceptions in a single season in Wraiths franchise history (10)
- 2034; Currently holds the record for most interception return yards in a single season in Wraiths franchise history (206)
