In its third year, the NFLPA Rookie Debut welcomed the stars of tomorrow into the NFLPA family by uniting them with the legends of today and yesteryear.
The Wednesday evening event also gave the draft-eligible players the ability to hear the union’s “One Team” message up close and personal before they enter the NFL. It featured at least 37 players that are likely selections in this weekend’s NFL Draft.
“It has been a whirlwind, but how fortunate am I? I feel very blessed and very grateful,” said Andrew Luck, who will be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. “I’m just another football player, and football can be taken away from you. At the end of the day, it’s about working hard and winning football games.”
At least 16 active players and 18 former NFL greats descended on a Manhattan hotel to welcome future stars into the fold at the NFLPA Rookie Debut, an effort of the NFL Players Association and its marketing arm, NFL PLAYERS.
Former Steelers running back Merril Hoge was among the attendees. He gave some words of advice to the new class.
“There’s a lot of free time, so there’s a lot of self-accountability that you have to handle and get used to,” Hoge said. “The game is stronger, quicker, faster and smarter … in every aspect. You have to harness your skills and sharpen them. Identify your weakness and work on that.”
Nearly the first two hours of NFLPA Rookie Debut was live-streamed on the NFL Players Association’s Ustream channel: http://www.ustream.tv/nflpa. NFL analyst Greg Cosell hosted the Ustream show and conducted exclusive interviews during the live coverage portion.
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said, “What they have done even to get here today is an outstanding achievement. We tell them that now you’re transitioning into the business of football. What we want from them coming into this is to recognize that they are men, first, and businessmen, too. This is their union.
“Tonight is a great celebration and tomorrow is going to be a tremendous, defining moment that I’m sure they’ll never forget. It also comes with a great measure of responsibility.”
The goals of the event were to bring together players past, present and future, and to celebrate the transition from prospect to professional by welcoming draft-eligible players to their union, the organization that works tirelessly to protect the players’ interests.
“This is an exciting moment,” said Maryland running back Davin Meggett. “I can’t wait to get in the door and start working.”
Nick Toon, a wide receiver from Wisconsin, is soaking it all in at each event this week in New York City.
“This whole experience is so surreal,” Toon said. “I’m very blessed to be here tonight and to get the opportunity to play in the National Football League.”
Players discussed their expectations in the NFL, experiences at the collegiate level, strengths, areas to improve on and ways to make a successful transition on and off the field. They also fielded position-specific questions from Cosell.
“This event is for us to meet and greet everybody, and get familiar with faces,” said Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw, a first-time visitor to the Big Apple.
Veteran linebacker Kirk Morrison of the Buffalo Bills advised all draft-eligible players to stay passionate, while seeking to leave a legacy regardless of their draft position.
“There are going to be some upsets in the NFL Draft,” Morrison told Cosell. “There always are, and that’s the great thing about the draft. Leave your mark on the field. Play as if you’re still in college and stay hungry.”
Photos by Kevin Koski
Written by Khalil Garriott
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