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Each year, the NFL Draft brings a heartwarming tradition: teams calling their newly selected players. Moments before a player’s name is announced, the team’s head coach or general manager dials them, often catching the draftee surrounded by family and friends. These emotional calls, filled with congratulations, hugging and excitement, mark the start of a life-changing journey. For players, hearing their name called and receiving that personal call validates years of hard work. Teams share these raw, joyful moments on social media, connecting fans to the human side of the draft, making it a cherished ritual in the NFL.
From the first round until late into day three, the Touchdown Wire found some of the best and heartwarming.
Easily one of the most tear jerking and heart string pulling calls, the cornerback from Notre Dame had been in the first round conversations until a season ending injury hip injury that required surgery dropped him out of the first and into questioning if he would clear medicals and what team might take a chance on him. The Buccaneers GM Jason Licht was the one that jumped at the chance and drafted the second generation NFL player.
Seattle Seahawks – OG Mason Richman, Iowa State
The Seahawks decided to have fun with this call and since their first round pick, Grey Zabel, the offensive lineman out of North Dakota State had flown into Seattle and was at the training center that Saturday, head coach Mike McDonald handed the phone to Zabel and let him dial up their pick at No. 234.
Dallas Cowboys – CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
Revel’s story isn’t far off of Morrison’s above. Huge talent and an injury put him on the sidelines before the end of the 2024 season. The former Pirate turned down NIL money and big offers from P4 schools to stay true to his team in Greenville, NC. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys saw his potential despite playing in a smaller conference and the torn ACL and drafted him in the third round.
Considered one of the top wide receivers by many of the analysts across the league, Restrepo unexpectedly went undrafted after a very slow 40 yard time at the combine. Fortunately for him, he had the No. 1 draft pick in the country vouching for him, his college quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans signed the former Hurricane to bring him to Nashville and give Ward a very familiar target to throw to.
Everything about Jeanty is fun. Watching him on the field, his happy outlook on life, and that infectious smile. In what was a quintessential Pete Carroll draft pick, Jeanty was the top running back taken in the draft. His excitement was more than evident on his phone call with Raiders GM John Spytek from the green room at the draft.
#Unforgettable #calls #rookies #league
