COLUMN: Awards like this should be cherished forever
April 25, 2005
The NFL Draft is the greatest weekend of the year for football fanatics. For sane people, it’s pretty boring to watch Mel Kiper Jr. and Chris Berman say the exact same thing, over and over, for 10 straight hours.
This year’s draft had its fair share of interesting moments, the best of which follow in my version of the NFL Draft Awards.
“I never went to class during college” award — Carnell “Cadillac” Williams
All day the announcers were discussing how Williams and Auburn teammate Ronnie Brown compete with each other on numerous things. When asked about Brown being drafted ahead of him, Williams said, “He may have won the war, but the battle is not over.”
If you didn’t get it, read that quote one more time.
Tampa Bay obviously wasn’t looking for a smart player when they drafted Williams. Let’s be honest — he’s not the brightest crayon in the box. I wonder if Williams and Brown had competitions during college with their English grades. That would be a heck of a battle.
“You’re gonna see this guy in a rap video in five years” award — Adam “Pac Man” Jones
When Adam Jones got drafted by the Cardinals with the sixth pick, did this guy remind anybody else of rapper Lil Jon? He was all blinged out with his dreads and sunglasses when he got picked. I just wanted him to look into the camera and scream “yeeeeeeeaaaahhh!” His nickname alone would be a great rap name. Think of all the things he could rhyme with Pac Man.
“I have no business being an announcer” award — Torry Holt
Torry Holt is a great guy and an even better wide receiver, but this was ridiculous. The only thing he talked about all day Saturday was how cornerbacks need to help with the run, and I think he mentioned a thing or two about what it takes to be a wide receiver in the NFL. Where was Steve Young? Where was Tom Jackson?
I’m going to bite my tongue right now, though — anything is better than the Rush Limbaugh fiasco.
“Most entertaining story line” award — Aaron Rodgers
Watching Rodgers wait, and wait, and wait some more was classic. I kind of felt sorry for the guy, but it was hilarious watching Berman scream, “Pick him, he’s a good kid!” for three hours straight. At one point in the draft they showed Rodgers’ mom talking to Donovan McNabb’s mom. But what on earth was McNabb’s mom doing at the draft? Like this woman hasn’t been on TV enough with those pointless Chunky Soup commercials — now she needs to be a shrink for every overrated quarterback’s mom?
All and all, the first day of the draft was pretty entertaining, if you like that sort of thing. I do. True football fans love the NFL Draft, and that will never change.