The Cleveland Cavaliers, instant nostalgia, and studying sports fans
June 26, 2015An Indians Prospect Q&A with Jeff Ellis of Scout.com
June 26, 2015The NFL held the annual Rookie Symposium in Aurora, Ohio the week of June 22, 2015. The star of that symposium — at least in my mind as I have not been shy about my affinity for the defensive tackle — was the 2015 NFL Draft’s number 12 overall pick, Danny Shelton, who continues to balance a cheerful demeanor with a humbling, tragic past.1
So, let us take a moment today to appreciate Danny Shelton through some videos and photographs.
Danny Shelton has proven to be one of the more colorful characters from the 2015 NFL Draft both in wardrobe and playful acts. Not all NFL fans may remember him by name, but they likely all remember the big Samoan dude in a skirt bear-hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell off the ground.
Also, Danny Shelton helped me personally learn that NFL teams actually do write in the player information on cards at the NFL Draft. With all the technological advances, war rooms apparently still telephone a runner who must write out the information before the time runs out. Who knew, right?
https://twitter.com/sportdesign/status/613040885564096512
Danny Shelton missed the rookie OTA with the Browns directly after the draft in order to complete his degree in anthropology, which he earned in mid-June. However, he prepared for his camp battles with offensive guard Joel Bitonio in a proper way.2
#Browns NT Danny Shelton did MMA to condition while away during OTAs. "Mentally I was back in college, focusing on taking my last 2 finals."
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) June 16, 2015
Danny Shelton loves to give back to the community. It is easy to find many pictures of Danny Shelton participating in the NFL Play 60 initiative. Of course, he’s got to stretch first.
Once stretched, it is time to intimidate the opponent. To Danny Shelton, all people appear to be small, so he might not even realize that his opponent is a child here.
When it is his turn to attack the pads, he demonstrates the fury and motor that drew the Browns to draft him in the first place. He is not one to take plays or drills off even if it is at a charity event.
WFNY’s Craig Lyndall mentioned recently that he has grown a bit weary of OTA’s and other offseason activities that do not have much bearing on the actual results in the fall. Well, Danny Shelton wants Craig Lyndall to hold one of these pads for him.
And, you better watch out because Danny Shelton is inspiring others too.
Don’t ever change Danny Shelton. Don’t you ever dare change.3 .
We love you. We are Danny’s Boys
- Seriously, we are having some fun today, but take some time to go and read his story. It is both tragic for what happened and beautiful for how he redeemed his life through that tragedy. [↩]
- Bitonio’s father was a professional MMA fighter. [↩]
- Cmon Cleveland T-Shirt economy, where are our Danny’s Boys shirts? [↩]
3 Comments
I’m very excited about Danny and (FINGERS CROSSED) a deep, talented defensive line that will let guys go 100% every play without everyone getting gassed by the 4th quarter.
Him and a healthy John Hughes…oh yeah.
That is a large man.