Dan Footman played football and ran track at Hillsborough High School. He earned honors as an All Conference, All County, All State, All American in football. In track he earned honors as an anchor on the 440 Relay in the State Championship Meet, which they won while posting a state record time. Once he graduate from Hillsborough, Dan attended N. W Mississippi Community College, where he was considered the second best prospect in America in Junior College. He then signed with Florida State, where he was the team captain in 1992. He was a 3rd team All-American, 1st team All-ACC; Brian Piccolo Award winner and lead his team in sacks his senior year. Dan was drafted 42nd overall in the 2nd round in 1993 by Cleveland Browns; he also played with the Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens throughout his 6 year NFL career. After his professional football career conclude he came back to Tampa to start a business and also established a scholarship for student trainers at Florida State University.