THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 28, 1994 TAG: 9406280427
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940628 LENGTH: VIRGINIA BEACH
Copeland, the starting safety on the Redskins' team that whipped the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII, has begun a foundation in tiny Meigs, Ga., that seeks to enhance the lives of the town's 250 children.
{REST} ``These kids don't have recreational opportunities,'' Copeland told the Norfolk Sports Club. ``There isn't even one basketball court in my hometown. We have nothing. But by the end of the year, we hope to open a learning center to tutor kids.
``We're offering recreation in return for teaching these kids to take the proper channels in life. They need guidance.''
Copeland said he modeled the foundation after the one formed by Darrell Green in Washington. It was a project Copeland always hoped to take part in - but he admits he got there sooner than anticipated.
Copeland, 28, should have been entering the prime of his career, his fourth season as Redskins starting strong safety. But last season he suffered his third serious neck injury and after consulting with team doctors, stunned everyone by deciding to retire.
``What did it for me, I think, was the day I tried holding my daughter in church,'' he said. ``I could hold her only 7-8 minutes before the pain forced me to put her down. I opted in the interest of my physical well-being.''
For Copeland, it was a speedy end to what was an arduous climb to the top of his profession.
Playing despite the protest of his father, who wanted Danny to be a carpenter or join him working the farm, Copeland was, by his own admission, the slowest player on his high school football team.
But his desire to become the first NFL player from Meigs so consumed him that he modified his diet, worked out incessantly and went to the library for book after book on how athletes became successful.
He graduated an academic All-American from Eastern Kentucky, then spent three uneventful seasons in Cleveland and Kansas City before Joe Gibbs convinced him to join the Redskins.
``All coaches don't have to lie but until that point, no one had ever told me the truth,'' Copeland said. ``Coach Gibbs was the first one to have some sincerity in his voice.''
Copeland has kept in close contact with his ex-Redskins teammates. He says the offensive players have heartily endorsed new coach Norv Turner's offensive scheme and that the Redskins' attack will be strong.
Defense and special teams, however, remain major problems. Morale on both units is low.
``I think for the first time, the defensive players feel like they're working for someone (new coordinator Ron Lynn) instead of working with someone like Richie Petitbon or Larry Peccatiello,'' Copeland said. ``The defensive guys don't feel comfortable with the new scheme Ron Lynn has brought with him - and he's not been particularly patient with them.
``Same with special teams. Guys don't feel comfortable with (new coach) Pete Rodriguez. I think the team will be much better than last year's 4-12, but the guys who lead those segments of the team arew going to have to do a good job selling their philosophy to the players for that to happen.''
Copeland, deeply religious, took immediate part in the social ministry that Green, Charles Mann, Earnest Byner and others on the team started. The lessons he learned have remained.
``Being in D.C., I've seen what happens when the men walk away from their responsibilities to their children,'' Copeland said. ``We as men have just as much responsibility to nurture and support our children the best way we can.'' by CNB