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Home - Playoff Showdown Looms as Dolphins Take on Taylor Swift and the Chiefs: A Remarkable Journey of Sobriety for Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniels Since 2016
SOBER SPORTS

Playoff Showdown Looms as Dolphins Take on Taylor Swift and the Chiefs: A Remarkable Journey of Sobriety for Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniels Since 2016

Phillip VitelaBy Phillip VitelaJanuary 9, 20245 Mins Read
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Mike was a walk-on wide Receiver at Yale from 2001 to 2004, graduating as a history major. Although not an amazing athletic specimen at 5’9” and 150 lbs. Mike already showed a genius mind for the game with his understanding of defensive schemes. In fact, Mike has zero stats as a player but lettered all four years.

In 2005, at 22, he was hired as an intern coach with The Broncos under the great Mike Shanahan. Between 2006 and 2021, he would coach with the Texans, the California Redwoods (UFL), The Redskins (now the Commanders), Browns, Falcons, and 49ers. Finally, getting a head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins in 2022.

Sobriety According to Coach Mike McDaniels

“Adversity is opportunity.”  

This is a slogan that Mike often states while speaking with his team. When asked about it, he responds. “The obsessiveness that I have with it (is) probably when I became sober,” he said, per The Palm Beach Post. Mike has mentioned his battle in the past. He mentioned it during the Falcons Super Bowl 51apperance with Tom Pelissero, who was with USA Today. He talked about how fellow coaches with Atlanta, including Dan Quinn, got him to seek help to get sober. He tells the familiar story of showing up to work smelling like booze. I also remember when Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine found empty bottles of cheap vodka under his desk.

Mike has been very open and transparent about his journey. And it has helped inspire countless other players and coaches to seek their own path to sobriety over the years.

It took years of losing jobs and not realizing friends were trying to help him see before he finally recognized what he was losing. At 25, Mike was fired from the Texans for issues caused by missing meetings due to being out late with alcohol. He wasn’t ready to give up alcohol. “I wasn’t at that stage of my life to kind of like admit that,” he explained. “It was already hard enough to lose a dream job. And I just hated that feeling. I was embarrassed.”

But it would still be another six years of drinking every night. “I thought I was just having fun,” he said. “And then you start questioning, ‘Ok, well, you know, why is this coming up again?’ Why am I drinking in the office on a Wednesday night? It made me look in the mirror. I was this close to losing a job I had changed my life for. But this time, I was risking my career, unlike in Houston. I had to tell my now wife, you moved across the country, and our livelihoods are in the balance.”

At this point, Mike accepted the help of the Atlanta Falcons and checked into rehab in 2016. He would spend the next three years there in treatment. He found his peace, and he saw the underlying reasons for his addiction. He took that deep dive into himself and realized he was using alcohol to check out and avoid his problems. Mike explained that he had constantly been comparing himself to his other young contemporaries and coming up short. “I was chasing Kyle Shanahan when I was 23 and he was 26,” he said. “Then we get to Washington, and I’m chasing Mcvay and LaFleur. I was worried about the wrong stuff, chasing things that didn’t matter. “

Mike has remained sober and has seen significant life changes.

 “All of a sudden, my product as a human being, as a husband, as a coach, was a completely better product and something that I think those life lessons really, in that time in my life, sealed the deal for me.” He said in July, per The Palm Beach Post.

Now, Mike leads the Miami Dolphins to the Playoffs in only his second season as a head coach, leader in the NFL, and leader in the Sober community.

Sources:

Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel displays strength in candidly discussing sobriety (palmbeachpost.com), Falcons’ brotherhood helped assistant Mike McDaniel through alcohol issue (usatoday.com)


WALK YOUR TALK: Decoding Taylor Swift’s Iconic Style: My Name is Harley Skorpenske and I am a Sober Swiftie « The Sober Curator

Sober Curator Pro Tip: Are YOU a #SOBERSWIFTIE? Then YOU should know we’ve started a Giphy sticker collection JUST FOR YOU! Use the Giphy app or add our #SOBERSWIFTIE stickers in you Instagram Stories & Reels and even on TikTok. Make sure to tag @styledandstressed and @thesobercurator so we can follow you back!

Key search words: Sober Swiftie, SoberSwiftie, StyledandStressed


SOBER SPORTS Archives « The Sober Curator

Welcome to Sober Sports with Ryan Burg and Phillip Vitela! Sober Sports is our section of the site that is dedicated to promoting sobriety and wellness through sports and fitness. The section features articles, interviews, and personal stories from athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are committed to living a healthier, alcohol-free lifestyle. By highlighting the benefits of sober living and the role that sports and fitness can play in achieving and maintaining sobriety, Sober Sports is changing the way we think about wellness and encouraging a more positive and empowering approach to recovery.


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8:00 am
Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025
October 7 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Tawny Lara Virtual Course
See website
4:00 pm
Trivia Night at 309 Social Club
October 7 @ 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT

Trivia Night at 309 Social Club

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
Donation
5:00 pm
Sober Night Live! 105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents
October 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT

Sober Night Live! 105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents

Roots Music Project 4747 Pearl Suite V3A, Boulder
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An Evening with Sober Sisters in STL: Shopping, Sound Bath & Mocktails
October 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT

An Evening with Sober Sisters in STL: Shopping, Sound Bath & Mocktails

Goldie's Hair + Wardrobe 2712 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood
$25.42
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5:00 pm
Zero Proof Cocktail Class With the NA Sommelier
October 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT

Zero Proof Cocktail Class With the NA Sommelier

700 Dexter Avenue North #suite 201, Seattle
$85.00
7:00 pm
Drag Bingo (Spooky AF Edition)
October 9 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Drag Bingo (Spooky AF Edition)

SOBER AF Bottle Shop Tacoma 5222 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
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11:00 am
STOP THE SHUFFLE SCREENING – Wilmington Deleware International Film Festival
October 10 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PDT

STOP THE SHUFFLE SCREENING – Wilmington Deleware International Film Festival

The Screening Room West
$15.00
Ongoing
MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures
October 11 @ 5:00 am - October 19 @ 2:00 pm PDT

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

Cusco, the Salktanay Trail, and Machu Picchu!
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7:00 am
Fresh Start: Breathwork with Kyle Harder | Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh
October 11 @ 7:00 am - 9:00 am PDT

Fresh Start: Breathwork with Kyle Harder | Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh

Thrive on Health 730 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh
Free
11:00 am
Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025
October 11 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Tawny Lara Virtual Course
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Ongoing
MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures
October 11 @ 5:00 am - October 19 @ 2:00 pm PDT

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

Cusco, the Salktanay Trail, and Machu Picchu!
See website

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October 11 @ 5:00 am - October 19 @ 2:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

October 11 @ 5:00 am - October 19 @ 2:00 pm PDT

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures Our journey blends the culture and cuisine of Cusco with the legendary Salkantay Trail, culminating at the Incan masterpiece of Machu Picchu. Trek through shifting

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October 11 @ 5:00 am - October 19 @ 2:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

October 7 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025 Live Seminar Via Zoom 1:00PM – 3:00PM

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4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Trivia Night at 309 Social Club

October 7 @ 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT

Trivia Night at 309 Social Club

Trivia Night at 309 Social Club Get your game face on and put your knowledge to the test at Trivia Night! From pop culture to history and everything in between,

Donation
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Sober Night Live! 105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents

October 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT

Sober Night Live! 105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents

Sober Night Live! 105.5 The Colorado Sound Presents Announcing Sober Night Live! A monthly open mic event for sober creatives, featuring performances, storytelling, and a supportive community. We are excited

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5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Zero Proof Cocktail Class With the NA Sommelier

October 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT

Zero Proof Cocktail Class With the NA Sommelier

Zero Proof Cocktail Class With the NA Sommelier Join us at Studio Forma for a tailored, hands-on, zero-proof cocktail-making experience with NA sommelier Juanita Unger. Professional bartending techniques, cocktail theory,

$85.00
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Drag Bingo (Spooky AF Edition)

October 9 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Drag Bingo (Spooky AF Edition)

Drag Bingo (Spooky AF Edition) Thu, Oct 09 Sober AF Zero Proof Bottle Shop Kick off Sober October by joining us for one of our KILLER Drag Bingo Nights. Sells

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11:00 am - 12:30 pm

STOP THE SHUFFLE SCREENING – Wilmington Deleware International Film Festival

October 10 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PDT

STOP THE SHUFFLE SCREENING – Wilmington Deleware International Film Festival

STOP THE SHUFFLE SCREENING - Wilmington Delaware International Film Festival An intimate look inside the billion-dollar addiction treatment industry where young people are bought and sold for their insurance policies

$15.00
7:00 am - 9:00 am

Fresh Start: Breathwork with Kyle Harder | Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh

October 11 @ 7:00 am - 9:00 am PDT

Fresh Start: Breathwork with Kyle Harder | Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh

Fresh Start: Breathwork with Kyle Harder | Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh Come breathe in community during a guided breathwork session—a space to let go of stress, quiet the noise of everyday

Free
11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

October 11 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Just F*%#ing Write: Get Words Out of Your Head and Onto the Page Zoom Seminar with Tawny Lara on Saturday, October 11th, 2025 Live Seminar Via Zoom 1:00PM – 3:00PM

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12:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sober AF Entertainment: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers @ Camp Randall Stadium (Madison – WI)

October 11 @ 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers @ Camp Randall Stadium (Madison – WI)

Sober AF Entertainment: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers @ Camp Randall Stadium (Madison – WI)

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