America’s #1 Sport: 2014 NFL Draft Picks

STORY BY JAYLIN JERRY, FNN REPORTER, WOODRIGE BUREAU.  PHOTO BY cbssports.com.

JUNE 9, 2014.  You got to love America’s number one sport, football. As you are sitting in your parents' car driving up and down the highway, or just going somewhere in the city, you see on the back of cars, trucks, and SUV’s with the fan’s favorite home team. Whether it’s the Washington Redskins or the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, to the New York Giants; everyone loves when football season comes around. For some, it’s the excitement of college football that keeps fans on the edges of their seats. In the month of May, it’s draft time, and fans want to know just how their season is going to turn out, and who is going to join in on sending their home team to the Super Bowl. 

This year’s 2014 NFL Draft took place in May at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. All of the young men who played their hearts out during their college years sat with fingers crossed as they waited to her their names being called. For some, it’s a chance to fulfill lifelong dreams, helping to support family members, and getting tons of money for doing what they have loved doing since they where in the little leagues.

In the first round, the Houston Texans selected defensive end Jadeveon Clowney from the University of South Carolina. Then, came the pick for the St. Louis Rams who selected Michael Sam, from Auburn State—the first openly gay football player to be drafted by an NFL team. Many questioned his background, but could not overlook his talents. Even our president Barack Obama said that by him coming out, he is making a difference to help others see gays as equal.

There was so much talent sitting in that room in New York City, I just hope that these players make a difference for their teams and fans. The top ten picks were Sammy Watkins wide receiver from Clemson who signed with the Buffalo Bills, Khalil Mack a linebacker from Buffalo State signed with the Oakland Raiders, the Atlanta Falcons signed Jake Matthews an offensive tackle from Texas A&M, and number six pick went to another Texas A&M player—wide receiver Mike Evans who went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The last of the top ten draft picks went to Oklahoma State, UCLA, and North Carolina.

With so many of our schools pressing “Moving Students to College and Beyond,” it first starts with academics, and for some it’s all about talent and playing team sports. There is no sport in the world other than football where you see teamwork at its best competing for a championship.

Jaylin Jerry is a 7th grade scholar at Friendship Woodridge Academy.