12/18/24
May 01, 2011
Rice's Cheta Ozougwu This Year's Mister Irrelevant: Rice defensive end Cheta Ozougwu was the 254th and final pick in this year's NFL Draft, earning him the honor of being Mr. Irrelevant. "No matter what the outcome was going to be, either it was free agency, the fifth-round pick, or the last pick, I just wanted the opportunity to play the game I love," he said. "I am really thankful it was given to me." Ozougwu receives the Lowsman Trophy and a week in Newport, Calif.
It is funny, b/c KC kicker was MI last year; ended up being the starting kicker & kicking a couple game winners. For his sake I hope that Ozougwu continues undermine that title.
posted by brainofdtrain at 04:13 PM on May 01, 2011
A bit of trivia...Jimmy Walker (not THAT Jimmy Walker, but Jalen Rose's dad) was Mr. Irrelevant in 1967, having been drafted last by the Saints. He was also the 1st pick overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1967 NBA draft. Since he didn't play any football in college, he opted for the NBA...
posted by MeatSaber at 06:48 PM on May 01, 2011
Being Mr. Irrelevant in 1967 must have meant being pick #520 or something. That would have been just about at the non-scholarship walk-on level.
Poor Jalen Rose. First his dad becomes Mr. Irrelevant in the draft, then his former teammate Juwan Howard becomes Mr. Irrelevant after turning pro.
And Mr. Overpaid to boot - at the cosmic upchuck level.
posted by beaverboard at 10:36 PM on May 01, 2011
He might have been picked last, but he will always be able to say "I was drafted by/played for the Houston Texans." That should be worth a few beers at least.
posted by steelergirl at 03:41 PM on May 02, 2011
One of our local sports radio gasbags used to play in the NFL and he was talking about being an undrafted rookie free agent. He was that he got a phone call from the Jaguars within 10 minutes of the last pick in the draft. Apparently he had a ticket to Jacksonville in hand that night.
posted by NoMich at 04:01 PM on May 02, 2011
How is that possible? The lockout was back on Saturday.
posted by rcade at 07:50 PM on May 02, 2011
Heh. This was years ago. Sorry for not being clearer on that.
posted by NoMich at 07:53 PM on May 02, 2011
Ah.
posted by rcade at 07:57 PM on May 02, 2011
What an odd nickname to give someone who actually got drafted. Wouldn't those that didn't get drafted be "Mr. Irrelevant"?