As the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago is complete there are a few similarities between three standout first round picks; Vic Beasley, Bud Dupree and Laken Tomlinson. Of course they all are very unique and successful in their own elements, but they walk the same path of being education focused, community oriented, faith driven men, who hold the title of being elite in their prospective classes. Proving why they were each first round picks in the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago.
Education is an area of specialty that all three of these draftees hold as an essential element in their lives. A time when many chose to opt out of their senior year and head into the draft early, these three didn’t. They chose education, and of-course, furthered their college careers, as it’s widely known of Vic Beasley’s accomplishments in holding Clemson’s all time sack record with 33 total sacks in his four years. He made a point Thursday night, after being drafted by the Falcons to assure the media, that the Falcons were getting a “loyal guy, hard-working, determined guy and a double-digit sack guy and just a great team leader”. He circled back later to stress, “I’m a sack guy”, which is music to Atlanta’s ears. In choosing to stay for his senior season, Beasley, not only made a name for himself, but he accomplished his goal of graduating with his Sociology degree.
Education is also a piece of the puzzle for Bud Dupree that has always been a part of his story. In high school, he was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and an Honor-roll student. As he furthered his education he majored in community and leadership development, as he wants to be an entrepreneur.
Laken Tomlinson, a dual-major in evolutionary anthropology and psychology will graduate a double major after The Draft. He wants to be a physician specializing in neuroscience after his football career is over. After being drafted by the Lions, the questions of how he was able to accomplish such successes while still playing football conjured up, he was straight to the point stating, “time-management and being prompt”. Tomlinson also spoke on his joy’s of “being at the draft in Chicago, being a kid out of Chicago, I’m happy to be able to represent my city, my high school, and represent Duke. Stoked to be here. Living in the moment.”
Three young men, with not only the athleticism to succeed, but also the brains to prove they are the all around total package.
Not only are these three working to develop themselves academically and athletically, they are working to give back to their communities, and to show appreciation to their families for deeming them these opportunities. Both Dupree and Tomlinson were able to travel to Ethiopia for mission trips. When asked by Pro Player Insiders on the gold carpet at the draft, what impact the mission trip had on them and the way they live their lives today, they both showed a true divine appreciation for the values it further instilled in them. Dupree stated that meeting the Ethiopian community made him realize, “everything that we take for granted, the everyday things that we do. So me I just try and have as much fun as possible, I try and do as much as I can. I don’t just sit around all day and I make sure I’m real active because those people over there, even though they are living real real rough lives, they take everything that we do for them, and they take it with kindness of the heart and they really love it.” Tomlinson reminisced by expressing how, “it brought me back. It reopened my eyes to where I came from. Originally born in Jamaica and moving to the States in 2003 with my mom. It reopened my eyes to what life used to be like, and how far I’ve gone and everything I’ve done. It reopened my eyes to where I came from.”
Beasley was not shy to pay his dues of appreciation as one of the first items on his agenda after he walked across the stage to shake the commissioners hand. In the press conference immediately following being selected by the Falcons, Beasley was asked by Pro Player Insiders about what it meant to be experiencing this moment with his family? He gratefully replied, “It means a lot. My mom is a big inspiration in my life and I’m just glad my family was able to come up, and they’re excited for me and they’re proud of me , all the hard work that I’ve put in over the years.” Beasley is big on giving back in the community as well. He touched the hearts of other under another umbrella of talent, music. His hidden musical talent came out last year when he played piano for 1200 women attending the Dabo Swinney’s Ladies Clinic.
Faith is what these three live by. When Beasley was asked by a All Inside, Ali Rogers, why he chose to wear the number three at Clemson he said, “I chose the number three because I like to base my decisions off Christ and I’m a Christ going man and I love God, so I basically wear number three because God rose on the third day.”
Dupree also shows his strength in faith as recorded by his official bio on The Kentucky Wildcats webpage, “If you could witness any event, past, present or future, what would it be” and he responded with “to see how Jesus helped people in person.”
And Tomlinson leans all his appreciation for where he is today and for his wonderful education to God.
These three possess a trifecta that is untouchable. They have a drive to succeed when football is only a memory, they have the will to give when others would be taking in all the glory and they have the heart to be grateful for the gifts they have been given. As first round draft picks, the Steelers picking Dupree at 22, the Falcons snagging Beasley at 8 and the Lions capturing Tomlinson at 28, each of these teams will have characters of determination that will lead them to successes.
