Dad's inspirational words fire up Pittsburgh Steelers star after NFL Draft slide

03 May 2023 , 21:05

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Joey Porter Jr. waited for four hours and did not get his name called on Thursday night

As a highly-rated NFL Draft prospect, Joey Porter Jr was one of just 17 players invited to attend the first-round of the draft in Kansas City.

Those prospects are usually invited with the idea that they will be selected on the first night - as they sit in the green room and wait to hear their name called by commissioner Roger Goodell.

Like many other, Porter Jr waited for hours to hear his name. But he, along with three others were not drafted as 31 selections were made on the opening night - forcing them to go back to their hotels to wait 24 hours for the second round.

It was a devastating moment for the 22-year-old, who would have hoped that Thursday to be one of the best nights of his life.

At one point, ESPN cameras picked up his father, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Joey Porter Sr, providing some motivational words to his son.

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With Porter Jr in tears after missing out on the first round, his father hugged him and said: "They wanted to see a p***ed off football player, now they got one. So now, follow me when I say about what we've gotta do and how we gotta work.

"This will be part of the whole motivation now. Because you know where you were supposed to have went and all that, but we ain't got control of that.

"I know how these drafts go and now you've been motivated to another level... because we've got something to prove. Take it personally... you should. But you did everything you was supposed to do... you ain't let nobody down here."

Joey Porter, Jr with his dad, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Sr., and his family in his last game at college

While Thursday night was a low moment, the following day would have been everything that Porter Jr had hoped for - as he did not have to wait long to hear his name called.

With the first pick of the second round, the Steelers selected Porter Jr - following in his father's footsteps and playing for his hometown team.

Steelers fans had been begging the team to use the pick on Porter Jr, while being the son of the legendary defensive back, he'd also been one of the best prospects available.

Speaking after being drafted, Porter Jr said: "Last night, I was mad. I had an edge on me, and this is the perfect way to end my day right here. I just forgot all about last night.

"I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I am trying to prove myself. It will add a little more fuel to the fire. All the more reason to go out and put on for Steelers nation and my pops and everything."

Charlie Wilson