As a fairly inexperienced player, I knew it was unlikely that I was going to get drafted in the first round. But still, a part of you always dreams of it. Even as a kid, you run around in your room thinking about the day you are drafted into the NSFL and think about being the first overall pick or at least a first rounder. I knew neither was likely, especially not being the first overall pick. But still, I did not assume I would fall this far.
As draft day kept inching closer, I kept hearing different things from everyone. The media was saying 5th or 6th round, some experts said I would go higher than that. Most of the time people assumed I would be the 3rd or 4th cornerback taken in this draft and no offense to those other guys, but it still feels rough to accept that there are three guys supposedly better than me. It hurts. But, I kept my head up and hoped for the best.
I am always a positive person. I always prefer the motivators to the nay-sayers. I like my glass not just half full, but entirely full. I never doubt myself and I know what I can do. I know I can be a threat in this league and succeed. I know that I can perform well and help my team win week in and week out. I don't even doubt myself now either, after the draft. If anything, this process has only made me stronger. It gives me a chip on my shoulder to improve and to impress. I will not rest, I will not surrender, I will only get better and every team will regret not taking me.
Draft day was definitely frustrating. All the excitement and hype but then there is just pure nothingness and emptiness. Pick after pick, team after team and still not my name. 1st round gone, 2nd round gone, in a heartbeat and hope seemed distant. It wasn't easy to watch, I had to get up and move around a bit. All that pent up energy had to get out somewhere.
The first two rounds already saw three cornerbacks find a team. Some estimates about me had already been wrong and I was nowhere near being picked as it turned out. Third round came and went just as fast as the first two and still nothing. The tension in the room was palpable at this point. I was struggling with my emotions. Had I been wrong about my strengths? Will I fail? In the aftermath of the draft an article was written that briefly mentioned that I had an "iffy reputation", perhaps a reason why I ended up falling so far, but in this moment of waiting, nothing occurred to me.
Finally round 4 came around and yet another cornerback was drafted in front of me. I was just about ready to throw the TV out of the room but then my phone rang. My name was about to be called. The Philadelphia Liberty saw something in me and wanted me in their secondary. A rookie secondary with yet another cornerback drafted in this draft (Tyler Oles, round 2). The Liberty took a gamble and I will pay them back for it. I will make sure that this will be their best decision and that I will become the biggest draft steal.
It took until pick 31.
30 other players that are supposedly better than me.
Almost 4 entire rounds.
7 other teams passed on me multiple times.
4 other cornerbacks taking before me.
It hurt, but it will fuel me. The chip on my shoulder just grew tremendously and every wide receiver in the league will feel my strength and revenge starting season one until the day I retire. No one will ever forget it.
643 words
As draft day kept inching closer, I kept hearing different things from everyone. The media was saying 5th or 6th round, some experts said I would go higher than that. Most of the time people assumed I would be the 3rd or 4th cornerback taken in this draft and no offense to those other guys, but it still feels rough to accept that there are three guys supposedly better than me. It hurts. But, I kept my head up and hoped for the best.
I am always a positive person. I always prefer the motivators to the nay-sayers. I like my glass not just half full, but entirely full. I never doubt myself and I know what I can do. I know I can be a threat in this league and succeed. I know that I can perform well and help my team win week in and week out. I don't even doubt myself now either, after the draft. If anything, this process has only made me stronger. It gives me a chip on my shoulder to improve and to impress. I will not rest, I will not surrender, I will only get better and every team will regret not taking me.
Draft day was definitely frustrating. All the excitement and hype but then there is just pure nothingness and emptiness. Pick after pick, team after team and still not my name. 1st round gone, 2nd round gone, in a heartbeat and hope seemed distant. It wasn't easy to watch, I had to get up and move around a bit. All that pent up energy had to get out somewhere.
The first two rounds already saw three cornerbacks find a team. Some estimates about me had already been wrong and I was nowhere near being picked as it turned out. Third round came and went just as fast as the first two and still nothing. The tension in the room was palpable at this point. I was struggling with my emotions. Had I been wrong about my strengths? Will I fail? In the aftermath of the draft an article was written that briefly mentioned that I had an "iffy reputation", perhaps a reason why I ended up falling so far, but in this moment of waiting, nothing occurred to me.
Finally round 4 came around and yet another cornerback was drafted in front of me. I was just about ready to throw the TV out of the room but then my phone rang. My name was about to be called. The Philadelphia Liberty saw something in me and wanted me in their secondary. A rookie secondary with yet another cornerback drafted in this draft (Tyler Oles, round 2). The Liberty took a gamble and I will pay them back for it. I will make sure that this will be their best decision and that I will become the biggest draft steal.
It took until pick 31.
30 other players that are supposedly better than me.
Almost 4 entire rounds.
7 other teams passed on me multiple times.
4 other cornerbacks taking before me.
It hurt, but it will fuel me. The chip on my shoulder just grew tremendously and every wide receiver in the league will feel my strength and revenge starting season one until the day I retire. No one will ever forget it.
643 words