Dan Skuta: Helping the Community through Sacksonville

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta established the Sacksonville brand to fight a very real problem affecting thousands throughout the local community: childhood hunger.
With Sacksonville, Dan Skuta and his team generously donate a nutritious sack lunch to a local child for each t-shirt sold, ensuring local fans can support their favorite team and a hungry child in need with every purchase.

Dan Skuta Helps the Local Community through Sacksonville

Skuta and Sacksonville are committed to stomping out hunger while giving Jags fans a powerful way to lift their favorite squad to victory.

Each Sacksonville t-shirt displays high-quality graphics in support of the Jags’ bone-crushing defense. And the proceeds from each shirt sold online go directly toward a full sack lunch that helps a local child be their best and build a better future.

For nine years, Skuta chased down quarterbacks and made life miserable for the opposition on the gridiron. With Sacksonville, Skuta looks to tackle a new adversary, and to ensure local children have the nutrition they need to realize victory in their own lives.

Learn more about Skuta here. 

Dan Skuta: High School and College

Dan Skuta grew up in Michigan and played a number of sports throughout his youth. He attended Carman Ainsworth High School in Flint, Michigan, where he excelled as a member of the Carman Ainsworth football team.

Following high school graduation, Dan Skuta signed with Michigan’s own Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where he played college ball until 2009. He is now retired from the game.

Dan Skuta - USA Award Winner

Former NFL and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta is proud to be of service to the local community, and to do his part to strengthen and support programs that make a difference in people’s lives.

Skuta’s commitment to service was honored last November with the NFL Players Association Conservation Steward of the Year Award, recognition for the work and contributions he’s made to the United Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA).

Dan Skuta - A Proud USA Award Winner

Dan Skuta was honored with this recent service award at the dedication of a new boardwalk and fishing pier on the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center campus, located in the community of Apollo Beach, Florida.

The massive new boardwalk/pier resulted from a multi-year community service project managed by USA and through the organization’s Work Boots on the Ground conservation program—a project made possible by the selfless efforts and support of many throughout the community and the local region.

Learn more here.

Dan Skuta - Union Sportsmen Honoree

Former Jacksonville Jaguar Dan Skuta was recently honored with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Conservation Steward of the Year Award in recognition for his volunteer work and commitment to the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA).

The NFL retiree received this service award during the dedication ceremony of the brand-new Suncoast Youth Conservation Center (SYCC) Pier, a wheelchair-friendly pier located on the SYCC campus in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Union Sportsmen Honoree Dan Skuta

Skuta has long enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer with USA and throughout the local community, and is honored to be affiliated with such a valuable local organization.

As Dan Skuta knows, the massive SYCC pier promises to provide thousands of youths and local residents the opportunity to study local marine habitats and gain invaluable instruction in how to fish with minimal impact on the environment for years to come.

Learn more about Skuta and his nine-year NFL career here.

Dan Skuta - Choosing the Right Business to Invest In

Dan Skuta retired from football after nine successful seasons in the NFL.

Now, the former Jacksonville Jaguar spends much of his time not only managing several small business investments he’s made across the country, but also seeking out and vetting opportunities that show the right level of promise and potential for return.

Choosing the Right Business to Invest In

Since leaving the game of football, Dan Skuta has been investing in businesses, including two restaurants, a Texas ranch and even a CBD oil production company.

And as an experienced small business investor, Skuta has come to appreciate the importance of vetting opportunities carefully, such as by:

• Asking for data. A small company that offers up data and market research to support their claims is much more desirable than empty promises backed by no information.
  
• Knowing the niche. Opportunities that stand out from their competitors and have a unique idea likely have a better opportunity at attracting business and thriving in the long run. 

Dan Skuta - Helping Hungry Children

Dan Skuta proved himself an asset to his team and his fans throughout his NFL career—a span that included nine seasons facing off against some of the toughest and best to have ever played in the league.

Now that he’s retired, Dan Skuta is proving to be an invaluable resource of support to another local population: hungry children.

Helping Hungry Children through Sacksonville

Dan Skuta and the folks at Sacksonville—a local apparel brand—share a commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives, which is why they donate a nutritious school sack lunch to a child in need for every t-shirt sold.

Established in 2017, Sacksonville has sold merchandise in support of the Jags’ defense—and has provided local fans the opportunity to give back to their local community whenever they buy a Sacksonville t-shirt.

With Sacksonville, fans can celebrate their favorite team AND take a bite out of childhood hungry throughout their community. Learn more here.

Dan Skuta is proud to have played nine seasons in the NFL—and to have spent two of those as a Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker.

Now retired, Skuta proudly takes on an even tougher opponent: childhood hunger.

And with the help of his t-shirt brand Sacksonville, Dan Skuta is making a difference for local children in need—and putting hunger where it belongs: on the bench. 

Dan Skuta and Sacksonville Are Taking on Hunger

Skuta and the Sacksonville team are focused on ending local hunger for good, and to giving kids the nutrition they need to take on their own challenges and conquer their day.

This is why for every Sacksonville t-shirt sold, Skuta and his team donate a healthy lunch to a hungry local child, providing a child in the local community the energy they need to focus and be their best.

To learn more about Skuta and the roots of the Sacksonville apparel brand—and what they’re doing to improve kids’ lives—click here.

Dan Skuta and Sacksonville Are Making a Difference

Dan Skuta spent his entire NFL career creating havoc for running backs, chasing down quarterbacks and putting his team in the best position for victory.

Now, this former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker is in pursuit of another mission: to end child hunger for good.

Skuta and his Sacksonville t-shirt brand are working together to stamp out childhood hunger once and for all—and to provide local children-in-need the nutrition and support they need to tackle their own challenges and prepare for a better future.

Dan Skuta and Sacksonville Are Making a Difference

Through Sacksonville, Dan Skuta and others are able to take on the problem of hunger one child at a time—and make a positive, enduring impact in young people’s lives.

With every Sacksonville t-shirt sold in support of the vaunted Jags’ defense, a sack lunch is generously donated to a local child in need, ensuring each receives the nutritious, deliciously prepared lunch they need to face the challenges of today.

Dan Skuta - Feeding Children in the Jacksonville Area

Dan Skuta developed the Sacksonville with a twofold purpose: 

1) To provide fans access to great-quality apparel to showcase their support for their favorite local defense, and 

2) To do so while making a positive difference in the lives of children throughout the Jacksonville, Florida, community.

Today, Sacksonville continues its tradition of connecting fans to their team while an impact where it counts—supplying children in need with nutritious sack lunches and taking a bite out of childhood hunger across the region.

Feeding Children in the Jacksonville Area

Dan Skuta is proud of the difference his philanthropic organization has made for fans and kids across the Jacksonville area—as well as of the continued impact it has on the lives of a vulnerable local population.

To learn more about the good Sacksonville does for hungry kids and how you can support this worthwhile local cause, click here.

Dan Skuta - What Do Linebackers Do?

Dan Skuta excelled in the position of linebacker throughout his football career—standing out as a playmaker at both the college and professional levels.

An NFL linebacker for nine seasons—including for such teams as the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers—Skuta gave his all on every play, and racked up an impressive 200 tackles between 2009 and 2017.

What Do Linebackers Do?

Linebackers like Dan Skuta have a special role on the defensive side of the ball, and are expected to fulfill certain duties on each play to ensure the unit is performing at its best at all times.

Linebackers:

• Line up behind the defensive lineman.
  
  
• Blast through gaps and stop runners who surpass the first line.
  
  
• Drop into pass coverage whenever needed.
  
  
• Communicate plays and audibles to teammates, and ensure everyone is in the correct position for each play.

Dan Skuta Bengals - Creating a Winning Football Culture

Dan Skuta is no stranger to winning, having been part of two championship football teams at Grand Valley State University—as well as successful clubs with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

A focused and intense teammate on the field, Skuta has shared numerous triumphs with teammates throughout his playing career, and understands the importance a winning mindset has when pursuing the ultimate prize.

Creating a Winning Football Culture

As Dan Skuta, who spent four seasons with the Bengals, knows, a culture centered on winning is composed of several key elements, including:

• Discipline, the kind the drives players to work hard and improve their technique throughout the season and off season.
  
  
• Determination, or the tenacity to go after your goals no matter the obstacles or doubters standing in your way.
  
  
• Drive, which involves the work ethic of putting your heart and soul into every play, scrimmage and game in order to get better.

Dan Skuta Bengals - Drills to Shore up Defensive Fundamentals

Dan Skuta played football for most of his life. This included a successful college career at Grand Valley State University and nine hard-hitting seasons with a number of NFL powerhouses—including the Bengals, Bears, 49ers and Jaguars.

Now retired, Skuta continually set himself apart as a hardworking field general and invaluable teammate, someone who would give his all every play, scrimmage and game to advance the goals of the team.

Drills to Shore Up Defensive Fundamentals

As Dan Skuta knows, fundamentals are key to success at any level and at any position—whether you’re a placekicker in college or a strong side linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Refining these skills requires practice, particularly on the defensive side. Good defensive drills coaches commonly run include:

• The Zone Break Drill, which teaches the ability to predict quarterback movements and anticipate the pass.
  
• Score Tackling, which is designed to help linebackers shoot the gap and reach the runner before they hit the next line of defense.

Dan Skuta - Workout Tips for Football Players

Dan Skuta made an impact throughout his football career, standing out as a dedicated teammate and explosive linebacker capable of disrupting offensive flow on any given play.

An NFL pro for nine seasons, Skuta worked hard to earn and retain his position on the field—and to provide his team the best opportunity to succeed and win.

Workout Tips for Football Players

As Dan Skuta knows, earning the opportunity to play in the NFL requires hard work, and a training regimen that equips your body and mind with the strength, stamina and explosiveness you need to make an impact on any given down.

When putting together a workout, football players should focus on:

• Upper body lifts, such as bench press, incline press and military press.
• Lower body lifts including squats, leg curls, dead lifts and calf raises.
• Full-body lifts like push press, power cleans, snatch lifts and ab exercises.

Dan Skuta - Tips for Becoming a Better Football Player

Dan Skuta enjoyed success at each tier of the football universe, including at the high school, college (GVSU) and professional levels.

A nine-year pro in the NFL, Dan Skuta (now retired) knows just how hard it is not only stand out among your football peers, but also to advance your career to a new level of competition—particularly with so many vying for the spotlight and the opportunity to shine in the ultimate spotlight.

Tips for Becoming a Better Football Player

As Dan Skuta knows, moving from the high school gridiron to college and beyond takes commitment and a lot of work. Becoming a better football player capable of making it to the next level requires a dedication to:

• Practice, practice, practice. Being at every practice and committing yourself to working harder than everyone else is key to success.
  
• Learning the rules. Mastering the rules of the game is key to minimizing mistakes and demonstrating your commitment to growing your football acumen.
  
  
• Lift. Strength and agility training are essential to advancing up the football ladder.

Dan Skuta Bengals - Most Common Defensive Formations in Football

Dan Skuta completed his entire college career at Grand Valley State University, and played nearly a decade in the NFL—including tenures with the Bengals, Bears, 49ers and Jaguars.

An accomplished player, Skuta played primarily on the defensive side of the ball—particularly in the position of linebacker.

Most Common Defensive Formations in Football

Dan Skuta played on a number of teams throughout his career. But no matter the team he played on—Bengals, Niners, Bears or Jags—Skuta came to recognize the most often used formations that dominate the defensive side of the ball.

Some of more common formations include:

• The 4-3, which features four down linemen and is most often implemented at the professional level.
  
  
• The 3-4, which is typically used to keep short-passing, ball control offenses in check.
  
  
• The 4-4, which includes four linebackers, two cornerbacks and a safety supporting four down linemen.

Dan Skuta - Fun Outdoor Hobbies

Dan Skuta is an active businessperson who has investments across the United States and a 700-acre ranch in Texas. Dan Skuta becamean investor after retiring from a nine-year career with the NFL due to injury and hip replacement surgery, and he still loves to stay active.

Hobbies

When Dan Skuta isn't busy with work, he enjoys fun outdoor hobbies with his dog, Kaiya—a loving Pit Bull—at his side wherever he can have her. The two often hike around his Texas ranch together and explore the area around his other home, in Texas.

Dan Skuta also enjoys boating, riding ATVs, traveling, and exercising outside. One of his companies hosts lit sports camps and football camps for children, and he volunteers his time to pass on his knowledge as a professional athlete and help the underprivileged. 

Dan Skuta of the Bengals - Life After Football

Dan Skuta is a retired American football player who signed with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals for nine seasons. Dan Skuta started as a college free agent with the Bengals, then moved to the 49er, the Jaguars, and the Bears.

He received his last credited season with the Chicago Bears, where he suffered an injury that required his replacement surgery in his right side. This event ended his career as an athlete.

After Football

After football, Daniel Skuta didn't look back to playing with teams like the Bengals. He took his recovery seriously and began investing in businesses. He has invested in restaurants in California and Hawaii, he owns a 700-acre ranch in Texas, and he started his clothing brand in Jacksonville called Sacksonville.

Mr. Skuta is also a co-owner of a Californian hemp company that produces CBD oil.

Dan Skuta of the Bengals - About Barry Sanders

Dan Skuta, a business investor and entrepreneur with a positive reputation, is a former Bengals player who was with the NFL for nine seasons. Dan Skuta was prematurely taken out of the game with a severe injury (and subsequent hip replacement surgery), prompting his shift to business investment.

Today, Mr. Skuta still loves football and often volunteers with children to teach them sports at football and lit sports camps.

Inspired by an Icon

Like many young athletes, Daniel Skuta was inspired by football icon Barry Sanders long before he signed with the Bengals, and with good reason.

Barry Sanders played for the Detroit Lions as a running back and went down in history as the best running back of all time. Daniel Skuta played ten Pro Bowls, and he made six All-Pro first teams. He received numerous other awards and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

Dan Skuta - How Hunger Affects Learning in Children

Former Jacksonville Jaguars and NFLplayer Dan Skuta shares that children should have access to healthy and nutritious food. 

Children who are at risk of hunger, and who are experiencing hunger, can exhibit slow development—particularly in their ability to learn. 

They are more likely to have difficulty keeping up in school, something that may possibly hold them back. Hunger remains an existing concern,and everybody should take steps to be better informed.

Dan Skuta - Started with the Bengals

Daniel Skuta is a former American football player who started his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He stayed with the NFL for nine seasons and was then taken out of the game by a severe injury that required hip replacement surgery.

Mr. Skuta shifted his focus to business investing following his injury and still loves to volunteer to teach children about sports. As a lifelong athlete, his love of athleticism will likely never fade.

Inspiration

One of Dan Skuta's most significant inspirations for playing with NFL teams like the Bengals is Barry Sanders, a former NFL running back.

Barry Sanders is considered one of the best—if not the best—running back in the history of the NFL. He played for ten seasons before retirement, and he made the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Dan Skuta - 2011 College Graduation

Dan Skuta attended and played college football at GVSU (Grand Valley State University). During his time at GVSU, Dan Skuta shared in the celebration of two Division II national championships. 

Skuta left school early to begin a career in the National Football League—though he would later return to complete his degree in physical education. He graduated and earned his degree in 2011.

Dan Skuta: Building a Career

Dan Skuta is a former American football player who spent nine seasons playing football before retiring due to injury. He has since built a thriving career as a business investor and owner, and he loves the entrepreneurial life.

Building an Entrepreneurial Career

Dan Skuta owns and invests in multiple companies, and he's always on the lookout for something new. He holds a Texas ranch on which he hosts corporate events and hunting parties, two clothing companies in Jacksonville, Mississippi, two restaurants in Hawaii and California, and a California medical CBD oil company.

Mr. Skuta's holdings are across the United States, so they give him a reason to indulge in his love of travel. Dan Skuta also enjoys taking his dog, Kaiya, to explore his 700-acre ranch in Texas and enjoy the outdoors with him.

Daniel Skuta: Starting a Restaurant Business

Daniel Skuta has invested in two Limon Rotisserie Restaurants. He believes in the Limon brand and stands by it. When starting a restaurant, location is important, marketing, hiring and training the staff, knowing your customers and providing excellent service are important factors to be considered. Daniel shares that opening a restaurant takes careful planning and a good business plan.

Dan Skuta - 2013 Defensive TD

Dan Skuta played in the National Football League for nine seasons. In the middle of his professional career, Skuta was a member of the San Francisco 49ers defense. 

As such, Skuta enjoyed the opportunity to score his first career defensive touchdown—the result of a forced fumble by fellow 49er and linebacker Patrick Willis. 

Dan Skuta picked up and returned the fumble 47 yards for the score. 

Dan Skuta - From GVSU to the Cincinnati Bengals

Dan Skuta played college ball at Grand Valley State prior to pursuing a career in the NFL. 

After completing his GVSU playing career in 2009, Skuta caught the interest of the Cincinnati Bengals’ coaching staff, who signed Skuta to a contract as an undrafted free agent. 

Dan Skuta played with the 49ers, Jaguars and Bears following his Bengals tenure.

Dan Skuta - From the Bengals to the Bears

Dan Skuta enjoyed a long career in football, both as a championship-winning college player with Grand Valley State University and as a hard-hitting linebacker with multiple NFL teams—including the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dan Skuta spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, followed by two with the San Francisco 49ers, two with the Jacksonville Jaguars and one with the Chicago Bears.

2009-2017: An NFL Career

Skuta’s career was kickstarted as an undrafted free agent out of Grand Valley State in 2009, when he caught the eye of the Bengals coaching staff and signed his first NFL contract. 

From there, Skuta played with:

• The San Francisco 49ers, where he picked up and ran back a forced fumble 49 yards for his first and only NFL touchdown.
  
• The Jacksonville Jaguars, which signed Skuta to a five-year, $20 million deal in 2015.

The Chicago Bears, where Skuta suffered a career-ending injury in 2017.

Dan Skuta - Bengals Stadiums Over the Years

Dan Skuta spent his first four years in the National Football League (NFL) with the AFC North Cincinnati Bengals. With the team from 2009 to 2012, Skuta initially signed with the team out of undrafted free agency, only to become one of the more impactful players on the unit’s defensive side of the ball.

From Nippert to Paul Brown: A Brief Look at Bengals Home Field

A former San Francisco 49ers player (2013-2014) and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker (2015-2016), Dan Skuta began his professional playing days marching in front of raucous crowds at Paul Brown Stadium.

But over the course of franchise history, the team has actually called three different, distinct stadiums home, including:

• Nippert Stadium, the temporary home of the Bengals following the team’s entry into the league in 1968.
  
• Riverfront Stadium, which the Bengals shared with the Cincinnati Reds from 1970 to 1999.
  
  
• Paul Brown Stadium, namesake of the franchise’s original owner/head coach and which officially opened in 2000. 

Dan Skuta - Bengals Origins, Franchise Highlights

Dan Skuta played with on the Cincinnati Bengals defense the first four seasons of his nine-year career—a span that began as an undrafted free agent signee in 2009.

Fresh off a successful college career at Grand Valley State University, Dan Skuta made a significant impression on the Bengals coaching staff—and overcame the challenges of being undrafted to make his own mark in the NFL.

Bengals Franchise Highlights

Prior to becoming a Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker, DanSkuta marched onto the field alongside his fellow Bengals teammates. 

And having donned a Bengals uniform for four years, Skuta came to understand the benchmarks and accomplishments unique to the franchise, including:

• 1968, the first year the Bengals enjoyed membership in the NFL.
  
  
• The team’s success during the 1980s, which included two AFC championships and Super Bowl appearances.
  
  
• 14 NFL Playoff appearances between 1970 and 2015. 

Dan Skuta, Bengals Tenure - The Beginning of a Successful Career

Dan Skuta began what would quickly become a successful NFLcareer with the Cincinnati Bengals—a four-year stretch of playing time that got kicked off as an undrafted free agent.

Officially signed with the team in 2009, Dan Skuta spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals marching onto the field and staring down opposing offenses in the highly competitive AFC North before catching the eye of the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.

From Bengal Stand-Out to Bears Retiree

Skuta’s intensity and work ethic on the field earned him high praise from Bengals’ coaching staff and teammates throughout his tenure. It also earned former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta (2015-2016) the opportunity to sign with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. 

Though his time with the Niners was brief, Skuta did score his first and only touchdown in a red and white uniform.

Skuta signed a one-year deal with the Bears in 2017, though he retired due to injury shortly thereafter. 

Dan Skuta - Bengals Historical Facts

Dan Skuta was a linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals for four seasons. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009, Skuta spent the next four years with the club—and continually proved himself worthy of sharing the spotlight and making plays as a member of the starting roster.

During his career in Cincinnati, Dan Skuta picked up a lot in regard to what makes the Bengals franchise truly unique.

Franchise History

Much of what sets the Bengals apart from others in the league is its unique history, including:

• The club’s origins as a member of the American Football League (AFL), which officially merged with the NFL in 1970.
  
• The franchise’s original ownership, which included former Browns’ head coach Paul Brown (who would also serve as the Bengals’ first head coach.
  
• The team’s AFC dominance in the 1980s, including two division and AFC championships. 

Dan Skuta - Bengals Celebrate Homefield Advantage at Paul Brown Stadium

Dan Skuta played his first four years—and a significant portion of his NFL career—with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

A linebacker with the club from 2009 to 2012, Skuta is proud of the opportunity to have donned the famous orange and black striped uniform—and to have been a part of the team’s success throughout the early part of his career.

Success at Paul Brown Stadium

During his Bengals tenure, Dan Skuta basked in the opportunity to pay at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium, a 22-acre stadium that boasts a capacity of more than 65,000 every Sunday. 

Officially opened before the 2000 Bengals season, Paul Brown Stadium has provided the Bengals squad a raucous presence and significant home field advantage for nearly 20 years.

Named for Bengals Founder and first head coach Paul Brown, Paul Brown Stadium is preceded by Riverfront Stadium, which served as the Bengals home for nearly 30 years.

Dan Skuta - Bengals Contributions to the NFL

Dan Skuta is proud to have been a part of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise, and to have enjoyed his first four years in the league as a member of the Bengals defense. 

A nine-year linebacker in the NFL, Dan Skuta enjoyed playing alongside many notable talents as a Bengals teammate—and of coming to know what made the perennial AFC North contenders such a distinct and historic franchise.

What the Bengals Have Brought to the NFL

As Dan Skuta knows, the 50-year-old Bengals franchise has done more than capture nine division titles and two AFC championships. The club is also responsible for bringing such well-known innovations to the league as:

• The no-huddle offense, which was made a game-long standard by former head coach Sam Wyche in 1988.
  
• The West Coast Offense, which was first designed and utilized by then-Bengals assistant coach Bill Walsh between 1968-1975.
  
• Zone Blitzing, a scheme developed in the 1980s by then-Bengals defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.