Last Thursday, Georgia’s Jordan Davis was selected 13th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
A defensive tackle with consistently impressive film and an unexpectedly speedy 40 time at the combine, Davis didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called. As he made his way up to the stage to be congratulated by Goodell and accept his Philadelphia Eagles jersey, he acknowledged several supporters along the way with a few handshakes, daps and a high five.
The only person he hugged was his mother, Shay Allen.
Plenty of stories had been written about the mother-son duo during Davis’ time in Athens. She’s the reason he started playing football and they would pray together before each of his games. Even the Eagles credited her for Davis’ success.
But his isn’t the only story we know.
Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd’s parents met, and both served, in the military. Lloyd spent his last college season playing on behalf of two teammates killed by gun violence.
The youngest of three boys, Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner recently told his mom, his hero, to retire.
Ikemefuna Ekwonu of NC State, and his football-playing twin brother, Osita, were raised by parents who immigrated from Nigeria.
Their stories and those of others are told during the NFL Draft, a highly produced spectacle, with this year’s pomp and circumstance taking place in Las Vegas. In the last several years, the days-long drama has depended upon the tears, fashion, cheers, ‘boos,’ and the fans that make each Draft event so unique.
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