For those of you who have watched past drafts, in any sport, you generally know who's going to be the top pick, or at least have a list of a few players that will be chosen number one. Players have been scouted for years, mock drafts have been published, and teams have met with players to talk about their interest in them. And when the first overall player is selected they aren't confused or surprised, they're excited. They immediately jump up and hug the nearest person to them, they do everything they can to contain their excited as they walk to the podium where their name has just been announced as they are finally realizing their dreams of greatness.
Today is different from most drafts though. Throughout high school and college football players are motivated by getting to the next level so they can be the best and hopefully earn a big contract. Chad was motivated by his brothers. Chad didn't want to get left behind when they went to college and to the NSFL. Every down at practice and in games, every grueling night at the gym, every yard he ran after practices in the hopes of getting faster. They were all done so that he could keep up with his brothers. He idolized them, and never thought in a million years he'd be the players they were.
The signs were there, but he didn't see them. "Chad we're really interested in you as one of our top picks this off season... How do you think you'd like it in Tijuana?" Chad gave his normal rehearsed response about how he'd heard great things about the area and the team. All of the interviews blurred together.
Snap back to the draft and he's barely paying attention. Too worried about where his brothers will end up and if it'll be a repeat of the waiver wire.
"With the 1st overall pick, the Tijuana Luchadores select Chad Pennington." The building erupted with cheers and clapping of Luchadores fans. Mad (his mom) and Dad (his dad) jumped out of their seats with excitement. But the GM's words had fallen on deaf ears. Chad didn't even stand up at first, and when Mad leaned in to hug him he was utterly confused. Brad and Thad lifted their hands for high fives. Finally Chad said "What? Wait they picked me?" The thought of any team wanting to choose him before his brothers was so baffling to him that he hadn't even considered paying attention until they were both chosen.
After popping up from his seat and hugging everyone his family Chad didn't know what to do. He'd never been to a draft and no one had told him what came next. His family pushed him toward the aisle, and seeing the the confused look on Chad's face from the stage the Luchadores manager leaned toward the mic and said "Come on up Chad, we've got a jersey for you to put on!"
Chad made his way up to the stage, his heart pounding faster than it ever had, and began shaking hands with the Luchadores brass. When Chad came to the manager he shook Chad's hand and leaned then whispered in his ear "Don't worry about your brothers, we've got it taken care of." A huge was lifted Chad's shoulders, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. He threw on the jersey and finally started genuinely enjoying himself for the first time in a long time. As the night dragged on their names came the board "With the 9th overall pick the Tijuana Luchadores select Brad Pennington." "With the 13th pick the Tijuana Luchadores select Thad Pennington."
Before leaving the draft center the brothers got a picture together. Thad put his arms around Chad and Brad, "We're going to Tijuana boys!"
Today is different from most drafts though. Throughout high school and college football players are motivated by getting to the next level so they can be the best and hopefully earn a big contract. Chad was motivated by his brothers. Chad didn't want to get left behind when they went to college and to the NSFL. Every down at practice and in games, every grueling night at the gym, every yard he ran after practices in the hopes of getting faster. They were all done so that he could keep up with his brothers. He idolized them, and never thought in a million years he'd be the players they were.
The signs were there, but he didn't see them. "Chad we're really interested in you as one of our top picks this off season... How do you think you'd like it in Tijuana?" Chad gave his normal rehearsed response about how he'd heard great things about the area and the team. All of the interviews blurred together.
Snap back to the draft and he's barely paying attention. Too worried about where his brothers will end up and if it'll be a repeat of the waiver wire.
"With the 1st overall pick, the Tijuana Luchadores select Chad Pennington." The building erupted with cheers and clapping of Luchadores fans. Mad (his mom) and Dad (his dad) jumped out of their seats with excitement. But the GM's words had fallen on deaf ears. Chad didn't even stand up at first, and when Mad leaned in to hug him he was utterly confused. Brad and Thad lifted their hands for high fives. Finally Chad said "What? Wait they picked me?" The thought of any team wanting to choose him before his brothers was so baffling to him that he hadn't even considered paying attention until they were both chosen.
After popping up from his seat and hugging everyone his family Chad didn't know what to do. He'd never been to a draft and no one had told him what came next. His family pushed him toward the aisle, and seeing the the confused look on Chad's face from the stage the Luchadores manager leaned toward the mic and said "Come on up Chad, we've got a jersey for you to put on!"
Chad made his way up to the stage, his heart pounding faster than it ever had, and began shaking hands with the Luchadores brass. When Chad came to the manager he shook Chad's hand and leaned then whispered in his ear "Don't worry about your brothers, we've got it taken care of." A huge was lifted Chad's shoulders, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. He threw on the jersey and finally started genuinely enjoying himself for the first time in a long time. As the night dragged on their names came the board "With the 9th overall pick the Tijuana Luchadores select Brad Pennington." "With the 13th pick the Tijuana Luchadores select Thad Pennington."
Before leaving the draft center the brothers got a picture together. Thad put his arms around Chad and Brad, "We're going to Tijuana boys!"
![[Image: travels_postcard2_v1.jpg]](https://imaginarytravelling.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/travels_postcard2_v1.jpg)