Donald Driver wins “Dancing With the Stars” 2012
Green Bay Packers star receiver Donald Driver (37) cemented his status as a legend on the dance floor as well as the football field Tuesday night, as he took home the coveted mirror ball trophy on the season finale of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.
Driver, who fought hard all season to land a 10 score from tough judge Len Goodman, finally earned it Monday night during his country-themed freestyle dance. And he and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd repeated the feat Tuesday with his shirt-free cha-cha, earning a perfect 30 from the judges and a total of 89 for the two nights.
“We’ve had some great footballers on the show over the years” – said Goodman. “My feeling is, you are the best we’ve had.”
Driver defeated Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins, who was runner-up, and Latin actor and model William Levy to become the third football star (after Emmitt Smith and Hines Ward) to win on DWTS. “This has been the most competitive season ever” – said Levy’s pro partner, Cheryl Burke. “The top six of this show could easily have won any other season.”
“I would have to say it was a miracle” – Driver said afterward. “We did what we had to do on the floor, and we knew we had to leave it up to the judges and the fans. The fans made the decision, and the fans loved our freestyle last night. I think the freestyle put us on top, and after that, there was no looking back.”
Donald Driver.
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas had perfect scores and technique, William Levy and Cheryl Burke had screaming fans and happenin’ hips, but in the end, Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd were the ones taking home the mirrorball trophy and the championship of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Near the end of the show, Gladys Knight sang “The Way We Were” as the scores were tallied, and William and Cheryl were announced as being in third place. “It was an amazing experience” – William said. “I’m going to miss all of you guys, all of you,” as he looked around the ballroom.
Then it came down to only two couples and as host Tom Bergeron declared that Donald and Peta were the champions, she leaped into his arms and they jumped up and down, and then he was so filled with excitement, he rolled around the dance floor. They were screaming and laughing, and Donald showed he has his priorities in order – after giving Peta a big squeeze, the people he was hugging and kissing were his wife and his children, who had rushed the floor. Katherine and Mark were gracious in defeat, praising Donald for his victory. Of course, there were enough fireworks and streamers for the next Fourth of July. And the irony that newish pro Peta (with Ron Artest) was eliminated in Week 1 last season was mentioned more than once – shows what a dancer can do with a talented celeb like Donald.
After 10 weeks of remarkable dancing by the determined celebrities and their pro partners, the Tuesday night finale of Season 14 was filled with entertainment, including Kelly Clarkson singing her latest hit. There was lots of dancing, from an opening performance by the entire cast of pros and celebs, to an encore of Donald and Peta’s astounding freestyle of Monday night, to return dances by the celebs eliminated during the season, to a final dance – learned overnight – by the three finalists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TQeZWRbWWI
Driver will have a few whirlwind days of publicity but could re-join the Packers for offseason workouts as early as next week. His agent, Jordan Woy, tweeted – “Congrats to Donald Driver winning DWTS!! Now it is time to get ready for another season with the Packers!”
Here are some other Packers reactions via Twitter:
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “Speaking of teammates, am so proud of @Donald_Driver80 and his accomplishment tonight!!! Enjoy the whirlwind the next few days quickie!!!”
Tight end Tom Crabtree: “Donaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaald Driiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?#titletown? ?#GoPackGo? ?#dwts? ?#football? ?#dance? ?#America”
Linebacker A.J. Hawk: “Congrats @Donald_Driver80, Champion, not even close!”
Guard Josh Sitton: “My little cousin @biigwilly won the sate baseball championship tonight an @Donald_Driver80 won dwts ! What a great night! Congrats guys!!!!!”
Receiver Randall Cobb: “Quickie has to write a book about this! Congrats to @Donald_Driver80!!!”
ESPN analyst Andrew Brandt, a former Packers executive: “Donald! Remember skinny 7th round pick coming in saying he would make a name in GB. Great story.”