CHICAGO (AP) – The NFL draft is all about the future. Except when legends of the game steal the show, as Jim Kelly, Dick Butkus, Ickey Woods and Rick Upchurch did in the second round.
The 32 teams were eager to get going Friday night with lots of talent remaining – no one itching more than Giants general manager Jerry Reese. He did something rare for the franchise, trading up seven spots with Tennessee for the first pick and taking Alabama All-America safety Landon Collins.
Then, it was about the old guys.
Kelly, recovering from two separate bouts of cancer, drew the loudest, longest and most emotional reception. Upon approaching the draft podium, the Hall of Fame quarterback was greeted by cheers and chants of “Kelly, Kelly.”
“I want to thank everyone all over the world, especially my NFL family, for all of your prayers,” Kelly said before announcing Buffalo’s first pick in this draft, Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby at No. 50 overall. “Last year I was in the hospital not knowing if I would be here this year.