The ultimate dream starts as a youth when you’re watching your favorite NFL players perform at an elite level on your television screen. It becomes contagious in reference to tuning in every Sunday to watch these gifted athletes compete at a high level. The notion you can participate in your favorite sport and get paid to play is ever so appealing. Those weekend warriors who go to battle every Sunday become our heroes. Seven NFL rookies have deep connections with weekend warriors of the past due to the fact their dads once played in the NFL.
Former University of Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. The 6 foot 4Â receiver figures to add a physical presence to the Colts receiving core. Pittman Jr. will focus on going to a place his dad visited seventeen years ago. Back in 2003, Michael Pittman Sr. ran for 124 yards as he helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secure a Super Bowl victory.
Michael Pittman Jr. will enter the NFL as a junior, but he won’t be the only rookie namesake. Antoine Winfield Jr. was an elite safety for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His dad Antoine Winfield Sr. played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was drafted in 1999 by the Buffalo Bills.
Following in his father’s footsteps, John Runyan Jr. played college football at the University of Michigan. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers.
The element of surprise was infused in the draft when two premiere college athletes who performed well at high-level college programs weren’t drafted. J.R. Reed was a three-year starter at the University of Georgia. He was also an All-American. Despite all of his accolades, he didn’t get drafted. Reed was signed as a free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His dad Jake Reed played for the Minnesota Vikings alongside the Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Speaking of the Hall of Famer, his son Thaddeus Moss won the National Championship as a member of the LSU Tigers. Despite his talent and the championship victory, he didn’t get drafted. Thaddeus Moss ended up signing a free-agent contract with the Washington Redskins. Nigel Warrior also signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens. His dad Dale Carter was the shutdown cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1990s.
Wide receiver Van Jefferson was shocked when he received the call from the Los Angeles Rams. They decided to pick Jefferson in the second round. His dad Shawn Jefferson was a standout wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers.
Hundreds of young men were either drafted or signed a free-agent contract with an NFL team. Most of them will be entering the league to set a foundation. For the seven young men previously mentioned, the foundation has already been set. Their mission will be to carry on their family legacies.
