U of L's 'Mr. Irrelevant' eager to work

Louisville's "Mr. Irrelevant" plans to be anything but that in the NFL.

Even though he had to wait until the very last pick of the NFL Draft to be selected, former U of L tight end Gerald Christian said he was proud and relieved to officially join the ranks of professional football on Saturday and is eager to prove he belongs.

"It was a lot of emotion," said Christian, who was drafted No. 256 overall in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals. "The whole time, as you can imagine, I was stressed out. Everybody wants to be drafted. I was excited and blessed to have the opportunity."

Christian, the athletic 6-foot-3, 247-pound senior, was disappointed not to be picked higher, but he's embracing the lovable NFL moniker of "Mr. Irrelevant," which for 40 years has gone to the player selected last in the draft. As is customary, he'll even get a parade in his honor and a free vacation to California out of the deal.

"I've laughed about it a lot the past two days," Christian said in a phone interview from his home in Palm Beach County, Fla. "I'm 'Mr. Irrelevant,' and nobody else this year can say that. I've just got to embrace it and use it more for motivation.

"I was the very last pick in the draft. So at the end of the day, it makes me want to work harder. I'm ready to go play some football now and show people that 'Mr. Irrelevant' can be very relevant."

Christian said he has no doubt that he's better than several of the 255 players picked ahead of him, and he'll get to work at an Arizona rookie camp on Thursday trying to show it. But he's also grateful and looking forward to the parade and other "Irrelevant Week" activities July 7-12 in Newport Beach.

Christian is scheduled to participate in a sailing regatta, learn to surf, take a ride in the Goodyear blimp and have a banquet in his honor, at which he'll receive the Lowsman Trophy, which resembles the Heisman except the player is fumbling the ball.

"It's neat," Christian said. "You kind of say, 'Why does the last guy get a parade and all that?' But, shoot, I don't know. I'm just enjoying it, and I'm appreciative."

Former NFL player Paul Salata, who was with Arizona executives on Saturday when the pick was announced, created the concept of "Mr. Irrelevant" in 1976 as a way to honor the late-round players who work just as hard to make it to the NFL as the first-rounders but receive none of the fanfare.

Operated by the non-profit Foundation for the Undefeated, which describes itself as "champion(ing) stories of perseverance in sports to inspire greatness in others," Irrelevant Week raises money for charities, including the Special Olympics of Southern California.

Some past "Mr. Irrelevants" have done quite well in the NFL, notably former Kentucky linebacker Marty Moore, who was the last pick in the 1994 draft and then played eight years for the New England Patriots, including in Super Bowl XXXI.

The Arizona Cardinals recently signed 2012's "Mr. Irrelevant," quarterback Chandler Harnish, who was drafted by Indianapolis, to a new contract.

"I know it can be done," Christian said. "It's not like the history is bad almost where 'Mr. Irrelevant' can't make it. It's not like that."

Christian shapes up as a good candidate for success.

The former University of Florida transfer and All-America recruit from Dwyer High in West Palm Beach, Christian had 32 catches for 384 yards and tied for the U of L lead with five receiving touchdowns in 2014. He had 28 receptions for 426 yards and four scores in 2013.

Christian thinks he can carve a niche in the NFL because he's not only a good receiver but also a willing, capable blocker and special teams player. He expects to play a combination of tight end, H-back and fullback. He said Arizona likes his versatility.

"I'm excited about it, man," he said. "I can keep the tradition going of being a Cardinal."

Had Christian not been drafted, he probably would have had no trouble finding work. He said during the last hour of the draft he heard from about 20 teams interested in signing him as a free agent.

But he was glad to realize a lifelong dream of being an actual draftee. Christian may be "Mr. Irrelevant," but seeing his name flash on TV meant a whole lot to the 100 or so friends and family who celebrated with him Saturday afternoon.

"It sounded like a mini earthquake" when the pick was shown, he said.

Christian, whose younger brother Geron is a 2015 U of L offensive line signee, capped a huge draft weekend for the Cards, who had a school-record 10 players picked, trailing only Florida State's 11 for the most by any college this year.

"It was great for the school," Gerald Christian said. "We had 11 guys go to the combine, so it wasn't a shocker to me. We probably could have had a couple more guys go, but 10 guys is great."

Notable Mr. Irrelevant picks

2009 – Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina: Drafted by Kansas City and set team rookie record with 25 field goals, then spent four more years with the team. Now with Tennessee, has made 138 of 169 career FG tries.

2003 – Ryan Hoag, WR, Gustavus Adolphus: Drafted by Oakland, spent time with the Giants, Redskins, Vikings and Jaguars and was a contestant on "The Bachelorette" in 2008.

2000 – Mike Green, S, Northwestern State: Drafted by Chicago and had an eight-year career with Bears, Seahawks and Redskins, including 48 starts.

1994 – Marty Moore, LB, Kentucky: Drafted by and spent eight seasons with New England. The first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl (SB XXXI).