I wonder what it's like being drafted by a team you've hated all your life

[Reverend Conehead]

Can you imagine growing up a Cowboys fan all your life, having a great college football career, and then being drafted by the Eagles or the Commanders? You would have to either man up and play your best for a team you've always hated or you could pull a John Elway and demand to be traded away. I guess you could go play in Canada, but you would make a lot less money. I could live with going to a team that's never been a big rival of the Cowboys -- the Broncos, the Bills, the Bengals, whatever. If it were the Eagles, however, I would gag. What if Eagles fans treated me like they did Donovan McNabb and booed the draft choice. I'd bet it happens that a player gets drafted by a team he's always hated.

 

[Q_the_man]

I would seriously hate it but I would play my *** off then leave as a FA unless I'm on pace for the HOF, I might consider staying. In order to pull a John Elway you would have to be a QB and more than likely the #1 pick in the draft, otherwise you're going to the team that drafted you.

 

[jobberone]

A few checks and they're your BFF

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

im sure its a different level for these guys. there's your growing up team and then there's your team you are playing with. sometimes those two come together but more than not they don't. allegiances are shifty for players in the NFL thanks to salary cap, unless you're franchise tagged or a star player. i guess thats the beauty of never being a player and always a fan. diehard for life.

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

Ive thought about this alot since I was a kid actually, and I can seriously say I wouldnt play for the Sheagles,Midgets,Deadskins,Stealers,Whiners,Pats or Wackers for any amount of money......you can call me an idiot all you want, I wont argue......but it is what it is.....

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I'd have the greatest QB statistical career of all-time and then purposely throw a game-losing INT in the final seconds of the Super Bowl against the Cowboys. Doesn't get more fan than that.

 

[Spectre]

It doesn't matter to players/athletes- they're not like fans (and shouldn't be)- they're about to get paid. You have to realize these guys have just spent a lot of time, sweat, effort, etc. playing a sport for which they have received no compensation and, now, they're getting ready to get 6 or 7 (or 8?) figures and the highest level of recognition to continue doing it... even if it is for the Browns. It's a career for them, not a hobby/pasttime (like it is for fans). Sure there may be exceptions, but they're extremely rare.

 

[The Dark Bishop]

I'd have the greatest QB statistical career of all-time and then purposely throw a game-losing INT in the final seconds of the Super Bowl against the Cowboys. Doesn't get more fan than that.

Will never happen but would be a fans best dream. I liked the dream either way. Nice one. lol

 

[Hardline]

Just threaten the team that drafted you to either trade you or you are entering the MLB draft and will play baseball instead.

 

[Hoofbite]

I bet it feels awful to get paid a ton.

 

[jazzcat22]

im sure its a different level for these guys. there's your growing up team and then there's your team you are playing with. sometimes those two come together but more than not they don't. allegiances are shifty for players in the NFL thanks to salary cap, unless you're franchise tagged or a star player. i guess thats the beauty of never being a player and always a fan. diehard for life.

It doesn't matter to players/athletes- they're not like fans (and shouldn't be)- they're about to get paid. You have to realize these guys have just spent a lot of time, sweat, effort, etc. playing a sport for which they have received no compensation and, now, they're getting ready to get 6 or 7 (or 8?) figures and the highest level of recognition to continue doing it... even if it is for the Browns. It's a career for them, not a hobby/pasttime (like it is for fans). Sure there may be exceptions, but they're extremely rare.

I would think the college coaches spend time over a few years in helping players prepare for this. Possibly they even have classes on this type of matter. In some form anyway, getting them ready for life in the NFL, as well as those who won't make it to the NFL, life after college football in general.
They are young, most still have some maturity issues. Grow up having dreams of playing for their favorite team, then realize they may play against them. But it's a competitive nature they known, all there high school and college career. Go out and play hard to win. So that helps with it.

I am sure there are high school kids that are the same, want to play for their favorite college. But the college do not recruit them, or does not have any scholarships to give them. So they go to an opposing college.

 

[Maxmadden]

Ive thought about this alot since I was a kid actually, and I can seriously say I wouldnt play for the Sheagles,Midgets,Deadskins,Stealers,Whiners,Pats or Wackers for any amount of money......you can call me an idiot all you want, I wont argue......but it is what it is.....

Idiot.

 

[superonyx]

Ive thought about this alot since I was a kid actually, and I can seriously say I wouldnt play for the Sheagles,Midgets,Deadskins,Stealers,Whiners,Pats or Wackers for any amount of money......you can call me an idiot all you want, I wont argue......but it is what it is.....

You are either independently wealthy or have the strong ideals on the Bernie Sanders level.

I think we have all thought (dreamed) about this.
I can tell you that my perspective has changed on what I would do having 3 children, a student loan, and having been downsized from several jobs since college.

For the right price I would dress up as the Eagles mascot and punch rowdy straight in his mouth...

Think of it like this...an average NFL player who most fans never heard of makes in 1 year the amount of money it takes the average American Family 100 years to make.

 

[Daillest88]

Pull an Eli. Worked for him

 

[DFWJC]

I don't think it is even remotely an issue. Not in the slightest

This is their career and lifelong dream.

If one of them ever pulls a Manning, it's not due to hating the team as much as trying to help their career. And even that's extremely rare at that early stage of being drafted.

 

[jaybird]

Can you imagine growing up a Cowboys fan all your life, having a great college football career, and then being drafted by the Eagles or the Commanders? You would have to either man up and play your best for a team you've always hated or you could pull a John Elway and demand to be traded away. I guess you could go play in Canada, but you would make a lot less money. I could live with going to a team that's never been a big rival of the Cowboys -- the Broncos, the Bills, the Bengals, whatever. If it were the Eagles, however, I would gag. What if Eagles fans treated me like they did Donovan McNabb and booed the draft choice. I'd bet it happens that a player gets drafted by a team he's always hated.

It's "fan hate" not real hate. Let's keep in perspective. Once a team drafts a player, he's is now employed paid player and no longer a fan. Much to do about nothing. The parents/family of the player may be emotionally divided. If my grandson were to be drafted by the Commanders or Eagles I would not totally abandon the Boys, but would become a Fan of his team.

The boing quickly changes to cheers if the field performance is good.

 

[JoeKing]

Perspective matters. Cowboys fans tend to think they are the only NFL fans that love God, salute the American flag and love their families. In the big picture there are things more important than football. In the end it's a business whose product just so happens to be pro football. I am a true blue diehard Cowboys fan but I am also part of a much bigger team called the US Armed Forces(retired). Most of us love football and I'm sorry to report, not all Cowboys fans. Does that mean they won't have my six when it matters? No. It's a profession that requires tolerance for all walks of life in this country. It's a shame other people don't have this perspective.

Division is killing our American culture. We should all get along yet we allow race, religion, age , gender, sexual orientation and yes, sports team preference to divide us. When did accepting a fellow countrymen require him or her to like the "right" NFL team or for a player to play for a certain team? We all love football and willingly love supporting our favorite team. Whether you're a Steeler fan or a Cowboys fan, whether you're a Dolphins fan or a Raiders fan, we all have more in common than we have as difference. We should be able to accept one another. Players rarely end up on the team they grew up supporting. Mean Joe Green is from Texas, Tony Dorsett is from Pennsylvania. They both cashed a check with the NFL shield on it. Likewise, cashing a check from a team other than the Cowboys should feel just as good to all player. Doing so means you are living the American dream.

 

[Aven8]

Put me in Buffalo or Cleveland as the placeholder and I could care less! Just keep me on the payroll please!

 

[65fastback2plus2]

You are either independently wealthy or have the strong ideals on the Bernie Sanders level.

REALLY? Come on dude.....

 

[dogunwo]

After talking to a bunch of college players, it seems that any NFL hatred is sort of put off for college rivalry hate. As you get closer to the opportunity of playing for a professional team, you are hoping to get a job, not worried about which team. A good friend of mine grew up a Cowboys fan, and was eventually picked up by the Skins as an UDFA.