‘Mr. Irrelevant’ — A Week in the Life of the Last Pick in the NFL Draft
- Posted on June 29, 2011 at 12:52pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Everyone loves an underdog, a comeback story, watching a transformation form zero to hero. This nuance of human nature inspired former NFL wide receiver Paul Salata to found the “Mr. Irrelevant” award and accompanying week-long celebration in 1976 — an award to honor the final pick in the NFL Draft. Mr. Salata hosts the gentleman for a week in Southern California after the draft where the pick is treated to gifts, a trip to Disneyland and other events in a roast-like format, playfully poking fun at the situation while offering encouragement.
This year’s lucky winner, Chetachi “Cheta” Ozougwu, which ironically is Nigerian for “Remember God,” is a wide-smiling outside linebacker from Rice University. The Daily offers an in-depth look at Ozougwu’s recent journey:
Salata’s event culminates with the presentation of the Lowsman Trophy, a trophy resembling the Heisman award given yearly to college football’s best player. The only exception is that the player modeled in the Lowsman is in the process of fumbling the ball.
It’s a challenging road ahead for Mr. Ozougwu, as most late draftees never make it in the NFL. But, as the Daily points out, he can find encouragement from past Mr. Irrelevants Marty Moore (’94) and David Vobora (’08) who eventually became starters, and kicker Ryan Succop (’09) who tied a league record for the highest field goal percentage by a rookie in a single season.
And then there’s Tom Brady. In the 2000 draft, Brady didn’t come off the board until the end of the sixth round. He’s gone on to win three Super Bowls. Likewise, two-time champ James Harrison went undrafted in 2002.
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Billsocal
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:50pmThe people in Newport Beach treat these guys real well every year. You never heard bad word from them In fact they seem to really like it. I am glad the kid doesn‘t swim that meant he wouldn’t try body surfing at Wedge, which be very dangerous..
Report Post »leary1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:32pmGod Bless and good luck Chetachi.
Report Post »Blackop
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 7:10pmG BECK: irrelevant.
Report Post »leary1
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 3:30pmYou are apparently a liberal moron. you wish he was irrelevant. The lefties and anti-american fools will pray, for the day he comes back to t.v.. Once Glenn leaves fox, which was HIS DESCISION, he will begin to disassemble the radicals, progressives and America haters. They will be publicizes and exsposed for who they really are. God Bless America, yes God Bless the left wing fools too.
Report Post »righthanddrive
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:27pm…and the bad news is that he may have to sign with the union whether he wants to or not.
Report Post »SickOfLiberals
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:28pmGood for him but will there even be an NFL season this year??
Report Post »headbtweenlegs
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:57pmIs his last name Olberman?
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:31pmThousands of kids injured, torn up knees, concussions, go to college don’t learn a thing, spend money they don’t have, all in the hope of playing a game that will cause them severe injury and pain the rest of their lives. Sounds good to me, when does the season start?
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:12pmThat is awesome. May God bless him with a wonderful career.
Report Post »ComeOnToolsOnTheLeft
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:08pmThat is AWESOME! He will never forget this. Hey, at the very least, he made it to the league! That’s better than 99% of college players. I wish him luck and for some reason I think he will make it.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:00pmIt is said “When you are at the bottom the only place you can go is up.” Good luck, Mr.Ozougwu.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:05pmJust to be picked period is an acomplishment. Good for him.
Report Post »IwontcollectSS1987
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:14pmThere are a ton of players that are even un-drafted that have wild success. Arian Foster of Houston led the league in rushing last year, he wasn’t drafted. So I wouldn’t say he is starting from the bottom. However, the odds are against “Mr. Irrelevant”, he might be lucky to even make a roster spot.
Report Post »Ralphie
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:31pmThis is the player that I always love to hear who was picked!! God Bless him and his career!
Report Post »aerorepairo
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 12:54pmOkay! Thanks for the info.
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:00pmagreed. if i was an attorney trying a case, i would object on the grounds of no “relevance”.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:09pmGood Luck Kid
Report Post »You do have more chance of success than our Nobel prize winning Dufus in Chief.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:12pmNo relation.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 1:27pmIrrelevent
Report Post »Too funny !!!!! Hope the guy goes on and becomes an exceptional player !!!!!!!
GrannyATL
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:43pmThe fact that he was in the draft at all shows that he’s not a “loser.” How many thousands of kids each year never make it into the draft in spite of hours and hours of hard work.
This guy is no loser. He has his foot in the door and can always look at this as a testiment to his hard work so far.
CONGRATULATIONS Cheta Ozougwu!
Report Post »imreddog
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 5:30pmFor those of you who are belittleing Cheta… WHAT place were you drafted into the NFL or the NBA? My guess is that you were “also rans” or “never tried’s. I don’t know if this guy will ever make a team in the NFL, but he at least has the courage and discipline to continue to try and that is more than the majority of the “give me something for free’ people in the U.S.A.
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