Small told jurors he wanted to share his side of the story, saying he never physically abused his child.
"Don't let my size fool you. I'm a gentle giant. I wouldn't hurt anyone, let alone my own child," said Small, who testified that he's 6'4" and about 260 lbs.
Prosecutors allege Small struck his daughter and later threatened her, leading to charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and witness tampering.
Small said he and his daughter were "inseparable" until she was 15.
"Everywhere I would go, [she] was with me. We were inseparable. She came to all of my events," he said.
He testified that their relationship changed after she began dating a boyfriend he disapproved of.
"We heard he sold drugs, we heard he was stealing cars. I didn't want my daughter associated with anyone like that," Small said, describing the boyfriend as controlling and manipulative.
Small said his daughter became withdrawn and violent, and that on Jan. 13, 2024, she made stabbing motions toward him with a butter knife when he tried to get her to attend a community event.
He testified that she then picked up a broom and came toward him, and that he was defending himself when she fell backward, hit her head and lost consciousness.
Among the points prosecutors focused on during cross-examination: why three days passed before the teen was taken to a hospital after she was knocked unconscious.
Small told prosecutors she told him she was "fine," adding, "she seemed fine."
Several character witnesses also testified for the defense Friday, including several Atlantic City business owners.
Testimony is scheduled to continue on Monday, and the case is expected to go to the jury next week.