B.J. Daniels built his reputation as one of Tallahassee’s greatest athletes, starring at Lincoln High, becoming a dual-sport athlete at the University of South Florida and later spending five seasons in the NFL. Today, however, Daniels hopes his most meaningful impact comes off the field.
The former quarterback has made mental health advocacy a central part of his post-football life, using his platform and personal experiences to encourage athletes — particularly young men — to seek help when they need it.
Now living in St. Petersburg, Daniels serves as manager of strategic growth and partnerships for Evara Health, a Clearwater-based health care organization. His role has allowed him to combine his passion for serving others with lessons learned during a football career filled with both triumph and hardship.
“I used my entire NFL stories, my journey, the ups and downs and the highs and lows to try to educate people to let them know that it is OK to see a therapist and have an open conversation, especially dialogue among men as well,” Daniels said.
Daniels’ path to health care was not one he envisioned while playing football. After retiring, he returned to Tallahassee and coached at the high school level, including a one-year stint as Lincoln High’s head coach in 2020. He later worked on USF’s coaching staff as a quarterbacks analyst and was involved in fundraising efforts.
But conversations about mental health increasingly became a focus.
“I think that is something that chose me,” Daniels said.
“I never thought that I would be in the position that I am in, working in health care, when I had multiple teammates from high school, college and the NFL who succumbed to suicide in some capacity or struggled with certain things.”
Those experiences gave Daniels a new perspective on the game and the challenges athletes face after the spotlight fades. He pointed to former NFL players and teammates who battled personal struggles, reinforcing his belief that addressing mental health should be a priority.
One specifically is the late Aldon Smith, who passed away just two weeks ago. Both were on the San Francisco 49ers team. Smith died at the age of 36, the same age as Daniels.
“I just want to be a voice for a lot of men who are possibly going through things,” Daniels said. “Football is a tool, not an end-all, be-all for us, and I want to make sure I use those things and transfer them onto people who need help.”
Daniels said many fans see only the highlights and accomplishments, not the difficulties athletes often face away from the field.
At USF, he battled a broken ankle and endured a frightening incident in which he was held at gunpoint. During his professional career, he balanced football with family responsibilities, including helping support his younger sister during her battle with cancer.
“Without the highlights and the accolades that people look at, there is a human being who has to take off the helmet and then go home and still be another citizen of society,” Daniels said.
A legacy rooted in Tallahassee
Despite building a career that has taken him far beyond the capital city, Daniels said Tallahassee remains at the center of his story.
He often reflects on his humble beginnings, growing up in a Florida State residence hall where his father worked as a dorm director. From there, Daniels developed into one of the most accomplished athletes in city history, starring at Lincoln before becoming a four-year starting quarterback at USF and eventually reaching the NFL.
“First and foremost, I grew up in a dorm room,” Daniels said. “My dad was a dorm director at Florida State.
“So I started from very humble beginnings. I’m a 5-foot-11 quarterback. I always wanted to have dreams and aspirations of making it big time, and I did those things with support and resilience.”
Daniels continues to return to Tallahassee to share that message. Recently, he participated in the Tallahassee Legends Youth Camp alongside former local standouts James Coleman, Pat Watkins and Amari Gainer.
He”s also scheduled to participate in the upcoming Tallahassee Dreams Summit powered by the Athletech Academy to help coach, mentor, and elevate our future leaders. The one-day event is scheduled for Friday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lincoln High School, and designed as an immersive experience to expose high school student‑athletes (ages 14–18) to life‑changing opportunities beyond athletics.
For Daniels, giving back is about showing young people that success is possible regardless of where they start. His football accomplishments helped build his platform, but he hopes his willingness to speak openly about adversity and mental health leaves the deepest impression.
“The biggest thing I wanted to leave is just being here and letting people know I am from the city and proud to be in Tallahassee,” Daniels said. “There are a lot of great people that come from the city of Tallahassee that do multiple things, but I just want to be an example.”
As Daniels’ life continues to evolve beyond football, his message remains consistent: championships and accolades eventually fade, but the ability to help others overcome their struggles can leave a lasting legacy. For one of Tallahassee’s most accomplished athletes, that may become his most important achievement yet.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former local star B.J. Daniels advocates for mental health awareness
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
