By Mike McClure
When you live in Delmar you know that sometimes the sound of the fire sirens through town is a good thing. On Saturday night the Delmar Fire Department and residents of the town celebrated after native son Dante Trader, Jr. was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL by the Miami Dolphins.
“It’s amazing, it’s a dream come true,” Trader said following the parade. “It’s been a lot of years coming, a lot of trials and tribulations.”
Trader, who was a safety for the University of Maryland, was taken with the 155th pick by the Dolphins. The Delmar, Del. native played Delmar Pop Warner, helped lead the Wildcats to a state championship as their quarterback his freshman year, and was one of the team’s running backs as a sophomore before transferring to McDonogh School (Md.) for his final two years of high school.
Dante Trader, Jr. greets family, friends and fans inside the Delmar Fire Department following Saturday’s parade through “The Town Too Big For One State.”
“This is what it’s all about, The x’s and o’s don’t really matter,” Trader said of the community’s support on Saturday.
Trader, also a standout in lacrosse, was on the Terps’ football and lacrosse teams, playing both sports as a junior in 2023. He recorded 16 total tackles as a freshman; had 62 total tackles and two interceptions for 46 yards as a sophomore; and made 53 total tackles and added seven pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for 21 yards as a junior.
During his senior year this past fall, Dante had 59 total tackles and one interception for 17 yards and was a team captain and defensive MVP.
In addition to his on field accomplishments, in both sports, he has been involved in his community during his time at College Park. According the University of Maryland Athletics website, he helped organize and lead the One Speed Backpack Drive last year, raising over $10,000 for it and supplying over 200 fully-loaded backpacks for J.C. Nalle Elementary School in Washington, D.C.
“It (University of Maryland) changed my life. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without the University of Maryland,” said Trader.
Dolphins fans- The town of Delmar gained a number of new Dolphins fans on Saturday, but at least one Dolphins fan already existed. Saturday was a fun day for Delmar High School grad and Delmar resident Brian Green, a diehard Dolphins and Delmar Wildcats fan.
“Just seeing him going to the NFL is one thing but to see him go your favorite team. I think that’s everyone’s dream, to see a hometown kid go to your favorite team,” Green said.
Green, who serves Umpire Chief for the Delmar Little League and is on the Delmar Parks and Recreation Commission, wasn’t surprised by the turnout and support for Trader.
“You know when somebody gets some success the town’s going to show out for them and show them some love,” said Green.
