(S23) - PT2 - Draft Day

[Reno]

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226 words

Looking back at my career, one of the biggest moments of shock was when I heard my named called in the 5th round by the Austin Copperheads in the Season 21 NFL Draft. I still remember the surprise, I was sitting there with my family and this reporter who was writing a day in the life article about me, and I was just starting to dig into my fourth bowl of cereal of the night when the commissioner walked onto the stage and announced “With the 50th overall pick, the Austin Copperheads select, Tree Gelbman, Tight End.” It was surreal, I never really considered myself to be a mid round draft pick. My time in that first season with Kansas City was pretty rough, I had a great statline but I wasn’t really developing as a player that well. I found my groove towards the end of the season for sure but that draft pick wound up being a call for motivation. I had something to play for, I had a team that clearly saw something in me and wanted me to be a part of their future. Unfortunately my tenure with Austin was a complex situation that resulted with me not playing a single snap for them, but I owe them my career for keeping me motivated in a situation where I felt rather lacking.