Dominic Raiola was born on December 30, 1978, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is of Native Hawaiian descent. He is the son of Wendy and Tony Raiola. His father, Tony, was also a football player but had to end his career prematurely due to injury. Dominic has two siblings: a brother, Donovan Raiola, who also played professional football and is currently a football coach, and a younger sister.
Dominic attended Saint Louis School in Honolulu, where he began his football journey. His notable performances in high school gained recognition, as he set records and helped position his team among the top high school football programs in the United States.
Following high school, Dominic enrolled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. While playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he excelled at the center position and was a key contributor to the team's success. In 2000, he won the prestigious Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the top center in college football. His contributions earned him All-American honors and recognition as one of the best linemen at the collegiate level.
Dominic Raiola was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. His rookie contract was reportedly valued at approximately $3.7 million over five years, not $20 million as previously stated. He played his entire 14-year NFL career with the Lions, from 2001 to 2014.
During his tenure with the Lions, Raiola was a reliable and consistent presence on the offensive line. He appeared in 219 games, starting in 203 of them, which marks him as one of the most durable and longest-serving players in franchise history. Despite his strong contributions on the field, his career was not without controversy. He received multiple fines and at least one suspension due to unsportsmanlike conduct, including use of inappropriate language during games. While these incidents drew criticism, they did not solely determine the non-renewal of his contract after the 2014 season.
After his departure from the Lions, Raiola retired from professional football. He is not currently affiliated with any NFL team in a coaching or executive capacity.
At the peak of his career, Dominic Raiola earned an estimated annual salary of around $2.7 million. As of the end of his playing career, his net worth was estimated to be approximately $10 million, accumulated through NFL contracts, endorsements, and investments.
While there have been occasional speculations that he might transition into coaching or other roles within football, as of now, no formal announcements have been made regarding such ventures. His brother Donovan Raiola has taken that path, currently serving as an offensive line coach at the collegiate level.
| Birth Date: | 30 Dec, 1978 |
| Age: | 41 yrs |
| Occupations: | American football player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Honolulu |
| Education: | Saint Louis School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Net Worth 2021: | 2.7 million |
