The Greenville story of Woodrow 'Woody' Dantzler III
A hustler + family man, both on and off the field
Below is the story of Woody Dantzler. But first, our annual Christmas + Holiday message.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you for reading and engaging with ShareGVL. Personally, 2019 has been filled with both challenges and accomplishments. However, ShareGVL continues to be my scapegoat as I put the focus on you and your story.
From planned regional media coverage to uplifting and transparent stories, 2020 will be a big year for ShareGVL. I am excited for our future and I am excited for our storytellers.
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-Wyatt Edward Stephens (Founder)
Name: Woodrow ‘Woody’ Dantzler III
What would you say is the most interesting fact about yourself? I do not mind being me. I like to use my wife’s statement when I explain myself and that is, I am an ‘unapologetic different.’ Ever since I can remember, I did my own thing, I created my own path. Interestingly enough my name, ‘Woodrow’ means ‘a path in the woods.’ When you get lost in the woods, you might need someone to lead you out. That person just might be me or someone like me. I love the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. It serves as my motto because I have chosen the road less traveled and it has indeed made all the difference.
How long have you been in Greenville? I have been in Greenville since 2010.
What is your background? My life growing up was a very simple but an interesting one. I grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Both of my parents were present in the home; Dad was a Vietnam Veteran, Mom worked third shift. I grew up with two older sisters but I was the young one and the kid that was free-spirited.
I was very high energy, full loving kid. My dad introduced me to martial arts and it really helped me to channel my energy. To this day, It has been a huge influence on me. My Dad asked me, one day, to see if I wanted to play football, I said ok and that’s where it all began.
Rick Stockstill was the reason I chose Clemson. Growing up, I knew nothing of any other schools not in my home town. Claflin and South Carolina State University, both schools are in Orangeburg, were the only two schools I had any knowledge about.
[...on being a student-athlete], it was a great experience for me at Clemson. It was a new and different environment: I had the pleasure of interacting with different cultures, people from different backgrounds. My high school, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, was primaily black. Clemson was not. I took full advantage of my time in Clemson on the wings of my father’s advice, “do not go up there and be a football player.” That led me to different extracurriculars on-campus such as FCA, Student Government, Multicultural Affairs, and a few others. I was not in a football bubble in that I could walk to the President’s [Clemson President] house or the Biology Department [at Clemson] and have good relationships.
[...on being inducted into 2007 Hall of Fame] - I am very thankful. It is good to get accolades, however, my goal was to never get accolades. My goal was to be the best version of myself possible. To this day, I still push to be the best version of myself. Either you are getting better or you are getting worse. You’ll never stay the same. If I work on being the best that I can be then the accolades will come.
[...on life now]. I am married and my wife Portia and I have two girls Trinity and Zoe, life is awesome. Being a husband and a father is another way to continue to learn and advance myself. One of the models, as the husband, as the head of the house, is that whatever happens in my house is my responsibility. It might not be my fault, still, its my responsibility. I want to be the best example for both my wife and my girls. I want them to grow and be the best versions themselves that they can be.
What are you currently reading? Redefining the Kingdom by Dr. Myles Munroe.
What are your hobbies: I watch TV with my wife or might play video games, read a book. Honestly, it all depends on my particular mood at the moment. I don’t have a hobby, per say.
What is the phrase that you try to live by? Expect the best, be prepared for the worst.
Who do you work for? I work for Telva Pharmaceuticals. I also have DantzlerIII LLC, which is primarily focused on professional and inspirational speaking. It also have a community-service aspect to it. I have the pleasure of speaking to different organizations, different groups and speak to folks about their greatness. Not a lot of people recognize that they have this greatness but everyone has greatness. I want people recognize, unlock and walk in thir greatness for all the days of their lives.
How would you describe Greenville? Melting Pot. So many people are migrating here; there are new bridges, apartments, you name it. Greenville is accommodating a lot of people which provides great opportunities.
How would Greenville describe Woody? Well, it depends on which part of Greenville you would ask.
It is interesting: most people would describe me as the former standout Clemson QB. Some would describe me as a Man of Faith, a man that follows Jesus Christ. Some would describe me as a family man.
Favorite Greenville morning hangout? On my couch getting reading done.
Favorite Greenville evening hangout? Next to my wife, or my kids, in the living room.