While growing up around the military provided many valuable experiences, Daniel says one terrifying night changed his life. Daniel, his brother and some friends attended a dance at the youth center at Fort Lee just south of Richmond. A fight broke out. Daniel and his brother tried to intervene but military police officers mistakenly labeled them as the troublemakers. Tensions rose. Daniel and his brother were forcibly subdued and handcuffed.
Daniel's other passion is sports, specifically football. He was a high school football coach for many years and now is the Academic Advisor for the University of Rhode Island Football Team. When Colin Kaepernick first took a knee to protest police brutality and racial injustice, Daniel, representing both military and law enforcement, believed it wasn't just a powerful statement but a patriotic one.