Getting a first-round selection in the NFL Draft 2023 is always a privilege, and of course, a small pinch of luck is essential to make that happen. Among other athletes waiting for their names to be announced, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr was spotted distraught with a mixed array of emotions flying in front of his eyes. All he had was his father’s motivational pep talk, that went viral across social media platforms.
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The 22-year-old cornerback happened to be a promising prospect and was supposed to go off the board in round one. However, the Dolphins missed their chance on the first day and escalated his chances to the second round. He eventually found a spot as the first pick of day two, but all that mattered to the fans were his father’s fired-up words.
Joey Porter Jr. gets lifetime advice on the opening day of the NFL draft
As soon as the first round concluded with 31 picks on April 27, several athletes were sad to learn about their non-inclusion. Although their chances were pretty bright on subsequent days, a first-round pick holds a special value in every athlete’s career. Porter Jr., who was present in Kansas City, was expected to find a top spot, but things didn’t go his way.
The 22-year-old was visibly distraught and it felt like he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. His father, Porter Sr., who attended the event, then decided to intervene and give him some advice. In fact, he was the best person to cajole his son. Not just because he is his father but also because he is someone who walked the same path in 1999. He is a former NFL linebacker who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round.
“They wanted to see a p***ed off football player, now they got one. So now, follow me when I say about what we’ve gotta do and how we gotta work,” Porter Sr told his son. “This will be part of the whole motivation now. Because you know where you were supposed to have gone and all that, but we ain’t got control of that.”
“I know how these drafts go, and now you’ve been motivated to another level… because we’ve got something to prove. Take it personally…” he added. These statements instantly started spreading like wildfire across the internet and garnered crazy fan attention.
How did Porter Jr respond after getting drafted?
Surprisingly, the youngster got picked by the same team, his father played for in his rookie season. The Pittsburgh Steelers used their 32nd pick on Porter Sr. and acquired the star talent. He was quite happy about the result and responded to the media’s questions as soon as the announcement became public.
“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I am trying to prove myself. It will add a little more fuel to the fire.” he said to the reporters, per Mirror. It appears Porter Jr. took his father’s short pep talk personally and will try to follow the undiminished legacy created by him.
