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+---- Thread: *With the 28th Pick (/showthread.php?tid=29424)
*With the 28th Pick - Alcott - 01-21-2021
"With the 28th pick in the DSFL draft, the Dallas Birddogs select....Cole Maxwell, safety from the University of Oklahoma". 20 simple words that brought some casual fans joy, maybe others some frustration or indifference depending on how closely they followed the Sooners and Seafarers prospect's career so far. Undoubtedly deserving of his draft position, Cole Maxwell was impacted by those 20 simple words far more than he would have been for any of the other 7 DSFL franchises because this was more than just his new team, it was his old team, his childhood team. Growing up in Dallas there was no greater joy than to go with his dad to a Birddog game at the hallowed grounds of The Doghouse, and now he would go there again, but this time instead of him and his dad watching together from the stands, he would now be putting on a show on the turf for his whole family to watch.
After flying back from Jakarta after the Prospect Bowl season ended, Cole decided it was best to stay at his parent's house in Carrollton, Texas until he knew where he would set up shop for the next phase of his career. He knew he wouldn't be a first round pick, heck there were just way too many legacy players in this draft for that, but he couldn't not have the draft coverage on the screen from the very start, just in case a miracle happened. Plus it was a good excuse to set out a spread, get the together with the people that supported him while he chased his dream, and maybe even let just a little loose after months of training. And that's when it happened, Cole had been picked. Sitting in his parent's living room, surrounded by his family, a young man's dream had finally come true when the call came in on his cell phone and the ticker showed his name, rolling across the television. It's one thing to achieve your life's goal, the thing that you committed to from childhood, sacrificed day in and day out to make sure became a reality, but to also be gifted the opportunity to have that dream come true in your very own home town, that kind of euphoria is beyond description. And that's how Cole Maxwell felt: overjoyed, in disbelief, enthusiastic, nervous, excited, anxious. So many feelings to process to try and make sense of the situation, all while being bombarded with congratulations, hugs, kisses, tears, high fives, fist bumps, phone calls, text messages, twitter mentions and follows, instagram tags, and wikipedia updates. Even his old Jakarta teammates, including his backfield safety partner Kelvin Harris (pick number to the 13 to the Norfolk Seawolves) and shut down corner Juno Hu (pick number 10 to the Tijuana Luchadors), hit him up to congratulate him on being selected. So many moving pieces that it's impossible to sit still and take in the moment that it all happened. Normally that would happen on the plane ride to the new city a football player has been drafted to, but for Cole he already lives there. He has maybe a 30 to 35 minute drive to the Birddog headquarters to sign his contract and speak with his new coaches, meet his new teammates. Fortunately for Cole not all of those teammates would be new faces though, as his fellow Jakarta Seafarers Beefcake Johnson (pick number 36), the stout defensive tackle, and Luke Watterson (pick number 52), the hard hitting linebacker, were also selected by the Birddogs just after Cole. Having those couple familiar faces will certainly make the transition from prospect to DSFL player a lot easier. It was once he entered the locker room in The Doghouse he felt a great relief. Not only was he and the rest of the rookie class already being accepted by the team, but pack leader @ZootTX was already showing everyone the rookie's draft cards, which was then followed up by another pack leader @OrbitingDeath then creating custom graphics for rookies as well. These welcoming actions, accompanied by the very loose and relaxed atmosphere of the Birddog locker room definitely made Cole glad he had gotten a chance to come back home. But being selected and showing up are the easy parts, now it's time the hard part, proving the Dallas Birddogs made the right decision by performing out on the field. And living up to the expectations of being a home town player.
It's an interesting aspect to be a player drafted by your home town team. On one hand you already have the support of the fans, a local network of coaches and friends you can rely on, and an intimate knowledge of the city you'll be playing in. The flip side of that, however, is the increased expectations that come along with the day one support, and having an established network isn't always a good thing, especially if there were some negative influences hanging around. Additionally an established network also means more people are sure to show up looking for a hand out or some interest for the "support" they gave while the player was growing up. Another unexpected consequence of growing up and playing high school ball in the city you now play professionally in means that some of those old high school rivals who didn't make it are still around and potentially looking to prove themselves again. It's a delicate balance to live up to the hype of being a home town kid making it to the Big Leagues without appearing that like you now feel too good for your old town or neighbors or friends/acquaintances, but also not being a welcome mat for anyone and everyone to come in and wrongfully take the spoils of your hard work. As for Cole, his mindset is to come in and work hard, as he always has, to be the best player he can be and bring the city of Dallas as many wins as he can while in the DSFL, because as much of an honor it is to play professional football in the town he was born and raised in, it's only a pit stop on his way to making an impact in the IFSL.
Word Count: 1044
RE: With the 28th Pick - ZootTX - 01-21-2021
Nice media!
RE: With the 28th Pick - zaynzk - 01-21-2021
Welcome to Dallas!!!
RE: With the 28th Pick - Asked Madden - 01-21-2021
Welcome to Dallas brother!
RE: With the 28th Pick - Kyamprac - 01-21-2021
So excited to have you and can't wait to see what the season brings
RE: With the 28th Pick - OrbitingDeath - 01-22-2021
Nice to read that you are enjoying it so far
And glad you liked the signatures I've been making for the new draftees