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Herron getting used to life after football

Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo Former WGH and OSU standout Daniel “Boom” Herron helped out during Monday’s basketball camp in Warren. After spending a couple of years in the NFL, he’s getting used to life after football.

WARREN — Daniel “Boom” Herron looked around and saw something unfamiliar.

The clashing of pads. The snap of a football skidding off the turf. The feeling of extending an arm, keeping a defender clear of the brownish pigskin enveloped in the muscles of a NFL running back — something the Warren native had hopes of being this season.

Herron actually had a basketball wedged in the same way as his friend and fellow Warren G. Harding High School graduate Aaron Elder tried to wrestle it away.

The two were having fun shooting around the WGH Gymnasium at the end of a benefit for Elder’s son, Aiden, who is 4 years old and is recovering from leukemia. The benefit was a basketball camp for boys and girls to help pay for Aiden’s medical bills.

Herron said he feels Aiden is like his nephew. Warren is a tight-knit community, especially those who have graduated from the Warren City School system.

“I couldn’t miss this, giving back to Aiden, giving back to the Elder family,” Herron said.

That’s something Herron did as he helped out former teammates Keelyn Franklin and Bryan Wright, both current WGH assistant boys basketball coaches, along with other Mahoning Valley mentors at the camp.

“A lot of people helped me to where I am today,” Herron said. “I want to see young kids reach their goals and go further than me.”

Who knows? Herron might like coaching.

“I never say never,” he said. “If the opportunity comes, that’s something to definitely look into.”

He went through NFL training camp in 2016, but was cut by the Buffalo Bills in early September 2016.

Herron moved back to Warren and started his own business, Boom Herron Logistic Services located in his hometown.

He said he misses the game, but the 28-year-old former WGH and Ohio State University standout knew he was blessed to have played a sport few have enjoyed at this level.

Herron stays in contact with players from OSU, along with those from the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.

He keeps in tune with his former teammates through social media, seeing their travels through training camp — something Herron did for many years at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

Now, he’s going to go to games as a fan.

Herron still hopes some team would call to have him on his NFL roster.

For now, he’s finding his niche in life after football.

“I’m blessed that I made it to where I am today and how far I made it and take advantage of all the opportunities I have now,” Herron said.

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